A professionally built 16×20 deck (320 sq ft) in the Atlanta area starts at $16,000 and up, with most projects landing between $16,000 and $25,000+ depending on materials, deck height, and design. That is a wide range, and for good reason: the difference between a ground-level pressure-treated deck and an elevated composite build with railings and stairs can double or triple the final number.
This guide breaks down what drives those costs in the Atlanta market so you can plan your project with a realistic budget, not a national average that does not reflect what permitted work actually costs in Georgia.
Straight deck pricing from a contractor who’s been building them since 1999.
At Perimeter Remodeling, we give homeowners ballpark pricing during the first visit and walk you through what makes sense for your home, your budget, and your backyard with a formal estimate in your email within 24 hours. Schedule your free consultation or call 770-333-8174 to start planning your deck today.
What a 16×20 Deck Costs in Atlanta
The final cost of a 16×20 deck at 320 square feet will depend on what material you choose, how high the deck sits, and whether you are building new or replacing an existing structure.
Here is what you can expect to pay by material type for a standard 16×20 deck in the Atlanta market.
Pressure-treated pine is the most affordable option and the most common choice in Georgia. For a 16×20 deck, expect to pay roughly $16,000+ installed. Treated pine handles moisture well, but it requires staining or sealing every 1 to 2 years. With proper maintenance, a pressure-treated deck lasts 15 to 20 years
Composite decking costs more upfront but requires almost no maintenance. A 16×20 composite deck runs approximately $20,000 to $27,000 installed. Composite will not splinter, warp, or rot, and it resists mold and insects. It lasts 25 to 50 years depending on the brand. Popular options include Trex, TimberTech, and Deckorators.
On a per-square-foot basis, a 16×20 deck in Atlanta runs roughly $50 to $85 per square foot installed. The lower end reflects a basic ground-level build with pressure-treated lumber. The upper end reflects an elevated composite or hardwood deck with stairs, railings, and built-in features.
One reason national pricing guides underestimate Atlanta deck costs is because labor rates in metro Atlanta are higher than the national median, and permit requirements add cost that unlicensed outfits skip. Those “low” prices you see online often leave out the permit, the inspection process, and the cost of doing things correctly. Which can cost a great deal in the end.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
Material choice is the biggest single variable, but it is not the only one. Several factors can move your total up or down by thousands of dollars.
Deck Height and Foundation
A ground-level deck sitting close to the grade on concrete footings is the least expensive to build. An elevated deck (3 feet or more off the ground) requires deeper footings, taller posts, more framing lumber, and code-required railings. Second-story decks cost the most because of structural engineering requirements and more complex stair systems.
In Atlanta, sloped backyards are common. That means a deck that looks “average” from the front may need significant post height and a longer stair run on the back side. This is one of the reasons national cost averages do not always apply here.
Railings, Stairs, and Add-Ons
Railings can add $20 to $150 per linear foot depending on the material: wood, composite, metal, aluminum, cable, or glass. A 16×20 deck with railing on three sides has roughly 52 linear feet of railing, so this is not a small line item.
Stairs add $1,000 to $3,000+ depending on the number of risers, materials, and whether they include a landing. Built-in features like benches, planters, pergola attachments, or lighting increase both materials and labor. Plan for these in your initial budget rather than adding them after the project is already priced.
Tear-Down and Removal of an Existing Deck
If you are replacing an old deck, demolition and disposal add to the project. National averages put deck removal at $5 to $15 per square foot, which means tear-down of a 320 square foot deck adds roughly $1,600 to $4,800 before the new build even starts.
Perimeter Remodeling handles tear-down and replacement as a single turnkey process. A permitted deck tear-down and replace typically takes about 5 days, though the timeline may shift depending on inspection scheduling and deck height.
Permits
Most deck projects in metro Atlanta require a building permit. That is a good thing.
Think of a permit as an insurance policy. The county inspects the work at each required phase to confirm it is built to code. That inspection record protects you if you ever file an insurance claim or sell your home.
Here is a red flag worth knowing: if a contractor quotes $4,000 to $5,000 for a permit alone, it may mean they are not licensed and are paying to use someone else’s license. A good licensed general contractor’s permit costs are built into the project scope. They should not be inflated as a separate, outsized line item.
Perimeter Remodeling personally handles all permits on every project. It is time-consuming and sometimes frustrating, but it is part of building correctly and we never want to leave that for you to have to figure out on your own.
Pressure-Treated vs. Composite: Choosing the Right Material
This is the decision most homeowners spend the most time on, and both options have real tradeoffs. Here is how they compare through the lens of building in Georgia.
Pressure-Treated Pine
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- Cost range (16×20, installed): $16,000+
- Lifespan: 15 to 20 years with proper care.
- Maintenance: Requires staining or sealing every 1 to 2 years. Can warp, crack, or splinter over time, especially through Atlanta’s heat and humidity cycles.
- Upside: Lowest upfront cost. Readily available. Familiar look and feel. Easy to stain any color you prefer.
- Downside: The ongoing maintenance adds up. A gallon of quality deck stain runs $30 to $60, and a 320 square foot deck takes several gallons plus a full day of labor every year or two.
Best for: Homeowners who are comfortable with annual upkeep and want to keep the initial project cost as low as possible.
Composite Decking
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- Cost range (16×20, installed): $20,000 to $27,000
- Lifespan: 25 to 50 years depending on the brand and product line.
- Maintenance: Virtually none. Clean the surface once or twice a year.
- Upside: Will not splinter, warp, or rot. Resistant to mold and insects. Wide range of colors and textures that mimic natural wood grain. No staining or sealing required, ever.
- Downside: Higher upfront cost. Can get warm to the touch in direct Georgia sun (lighter colors help with this). Some homeowners prefer the look and feel of real wood.
Best for: Homeowners who want a long-term, low-maintenance investment and do not want to spend weekends staining their deck. If you want to dig deeper into the long-term value comparison, read our guide on whether composite decking is worth the investment.
Pro Tip: If you are replacing a pressure-treated deck, the substructure (joists and beams) is often still in solid condition. Switching to composite deck boards on an existing substructure is a cost-effective way to upgrade without paying for a full tear-down and rebuild. Ask your professional deck contractor to inspect the framing before assuming everything needs to go.
How Long Does a Deck Project Take?
For a deck tear-down and replacement (permitted), Perimeter Remodeling typically completes the project in about 5 days. That timeline may vary depending on inspection scheduling and deck height, but 5 days is a realistic expectation for a standard replacement.
New deck construction on a site that has never had a deck depends on the scope. A simple ground-level 16×20 build can be framed and completed within a week or so. Elevated decks and projects that require extensive foundation work take longer.
Inspection schedules are the wildcard. Perimeter Remodeling builds to code and calls for inspections at each required phase, but county scheduling is not something any contractor controls. Occasional delays happen.
HOA approvals can also extend your timeline. Perimeter Remodeling assists where possible, but many HOAs require direct homeowner involvement and will not communicate with the contractor.
If you live in an HOA community, start the approval process early. This is especially true if you are financing the project, since loan approvals can expire while you wait for HOA sign-off.
To ensure the best customer experience possible, the sales rep you speak to at your consultation on day one stays with you all the way to the final walkthrough, so you are never re-explaining your project to someone new or risking anything getting lost in translation.
After the Build: When to Seal and Stain Your Deck
If you choose composite, this section is simple: clean the surface once or twice a year and you are done. No sealing. No staining. That is the whole maintenance plan.
If you chose pressure-treated wood, the timing of your first seal or stain matters more than most homeowners realize.
Do not seal or stain a new pressure-treated deck right away. The wood needs time to dry and acclimate after construction. Applying a finish too soon traps moisture inside the boards, which leads to peeling, bubbling, and premature wear.
Wait at least 3 months before applying any sealer or stain. The optimal window is closer to 6 months after the build, which gives the lumber enough time to release moisture and accept the finish properly. If your deck is finished in fall or winter, a longer wait is fine. Cooler weather slows the drying process, and there is no harm in waiting.
Staining options: Perimeter Remodeling can provide staining as an add-on service, but many homeowners do it themselves or hire a painter separately. Either approach works. The important thing is that you do not skip this step. Unsealed pressure-treated wood in Georgia’s humidity will gray, crack, and deteriorate faster than you expect.
What to Expect During a Deck Estimate
Most pricing guides tell you to “get three quotes.” That is reasonable advice, but it does not tell you what a good estimate process actually looks like. Here is what Perimeter Remodeling’s estimate involves, so you have a benchmark for comparing contractors.
Measurements and scope discussion. The sales rep takes full measurements of the space, discusses what you want to build, and reviews feasibility based on your home’s structure and backyard layout.
Right-sizing the project. This is where the conversation gets honest. If you are asking for a deck that spans the entire back of the house, the rep will help you make an informed decision by asking things like: how often will you realistically use that much space? Do you want to maintain and treat 600 square feet of decking if there are only two of you? The goal is to recommend what actually makes sense for your life, not to just sell the biggest possible project.
Budget conversation up front. The sales rep directly asks what your realistic budget is and gives you ballpark pricing during the visit, before writing up a formal estimate. You leave the conversation with a clear picture of cost ranges. No waiting two weeks for a surprise number in your inbox.
Honest guidance. Sometimes we talk homeowners into scaling back. Other times we recommend going larger if the space calls for it. The focus is realistic advice for a space that serves the exact purpose you want it for..
After you approve of the project scope and estimate and agree to move forward, the superintendent is introduced and visits the property to re-measure everything in detail. Perimeter Remodeling calls this your project “takeoff.” Dimensions are confirmed, scope is verified, and materials are officially ordered. Nothing moves forward until the numbers are locked in.
How to Pay for Your Deck
Most homeowners do not pay for a deck in a single lump sum, and you should not have to. Perimeter Remodeling offers multiple financing paths and a progress-based payment structure designed to keep the project affordable without putting all the financial weight on you upfront.
Financing Options
- 0% interest for 12 months if you plan to pay off the balance quickly.
- Zero down payment available.
- Monthly payments as low as $69/month depending on project size and loan term.
- 9.99% fixed rate for 120 months for predictable payments over 10 years.
- Projects over $50,000: Financing up to 240 months available for larger projects..
These are unsecured loans, which means they are not tied to your home equity. You get faster approval and no lien placed against your home.
Some homeowners still prefer equity loans for larger six-figure projects, but for most deck building projects, unsecured financing is the faster, simpler path.
Payment Schedule During the Project
Perimeter Remodeling uses progress-based payments, not a large upfront lump sum.
For smaller projects (around $20,000 for a deck), payments are typically split into thirds: one-third upfront, one-third mid-project, one-third upon completion.
For larger projects, payments are tied to milestones. An eight-week project, for example, might have eight progress payments.
Red flag for homeowners: any contractor asking for full payment or a majority of the total cost before work begins is a risk. Progress payments protect you by tying what you pay to the work that has actually been completed.
Build Your Deck with Perimeter Remodeling
Perimeter Remodeling has been building decks across metro Atlanta since 1999, with crews who have worked together for over a minimum of 10-15 years.
Every deck project comes with a 36-month craftsmanship warranty. That’s three times what most contractors offer. That kind of consistency does not happen by accident. It comes from long-term relationships with the people doing the work.
Decks are a turnkey service at Perimeter Remodeling. We provide all materials. The only item homeowners may choose to select separately is a ceiling fan (if you want one). You pick it, we install it for you.
Stone or brick for built-in fireplaces are included in pricing and TV walls are always a popular option too. You choose the material, and we handle the rest.
Whether you are comparing materials, budgeting for a replacement, or ready to get a ballpark number, a consultation is the fastest way to get answers specific to your home and your backyard. Contact us at 770-333-8174 or schedule your free consultation to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 16×20 deck a good size?
A 16×20 deck is 320 square feet, which is the most common deck size nationally. It comfortably fits a dining area for 6 to 8 people, a grill zone, and open space for moving around. For most families, it is the right balance between usable space and manageable upkeep.
How much does it cost to replace an existing deck?
Replacing an existing deck costs more than building on an empty site because you are paying for demolition and disposal in addition to the new build. For a 16×20 deck, tear-down typically adds $1,600 to $4,800 to the project. The new build costs follow the material-based ranges above.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Atlanta?
Almost always, yes. A permit means the county inspects the work at each phase to confirm it meets code. That record protects you for insurance claims, resale, and long-term safety. Do not let a contractor talk you out of pulling permits.
How long does it take to build a 16×20 deck?
For a tear-down and replace, Perimeter Remodeling typically completes the job in about 5 days (permitted). New builds on previously empty sites vary based on height, complexity, and inspection scheduling.
Should I choose pressure-treated wood or composite?
It depends on your priorities. Pressure-treated pine costs less upfront but requires annual sealing and has a shorter lifespan (15 to 20 years). Composite costs more initially but lasts 25 to 50 years with almost zero maintenance. In Atlanta’s hot, humid climate, composite holds up especially well for homeowners who prefer a hands-off approach.
Can I finance a new deck?
Yes. Perimeter Remodeling offers financing including 0% interest for 12 months, fixed-rate loans up to 120 months, and extended terms up to 240 months for larger projects. These are unsecured loans with no lien on your home. Visit our home repair and remodel cost guide for more detail on payment options.
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