Deck Pricing Guide: What Does a New Deck Cost in the Chicago Suburbs?

Most deck contractors in the Chicagoland area do not publish prices. We do, because a homeowner who understands what drives cost is easier to work with, makes better decisions, and ends up with a project they are genuinely happy with.

This page draws from real projects we have completed across the West and Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Those projects span several years, and material costs, labor rates, and product availability continue to change. The figures here are reference points, not current quotes. A free estimate is the only accurate way to price your specific project today.

That said, the ranges and the factors behind them in this deck pricing guide are real, and this page will give you a clear picture of what to expect before you ever pick up the phone.

What Determines the Cost of a Deck

No two decks cost the same, even when they are similar in size. The variables that move the price most significantly are:

• Size and Layout: A single-level deck costs less than a multi-level deck of equal square footage. Every additional level adds framing, footings, stairs, and railings, all of which increase material and labor costs.
• Decking Material: Entry-level composite products and capped composites from brands like Deckorators cost less than premium lines from Trex, AZEK, or TimberTech. The difference is not just price. It is also warranty length, appearance options, and long-term performance. We are certified installers for Trex, TimberTech, Deckorators, AZEK, MoistureShield, Fiberon, and Zuri, so we can match the material to the budget and the project.
• Railing Type: This is one of the most significant variables in any deck budget. A Trex Select aluminum railing costs a fraction of what Westbury glass or Crystal Rail frameless glass panels cost. Railing choice alone can shift a project by tens of thousands of dollars on a large deck.
• Add-Ons and Structures: Pergolas, paver patios, waterproofing systems, screen enclosures, and integrated lighting all add cost. Some add a modest amount. Others, like a full Trex RainEscape system with a finished aluminum ceiling below the deck, represent a substantial investment in their own right.
• Site Conditions: A flat yard is straightforward to build on. A steep slope requires more engineering and more material. A pool deck requires compliance with pool code, which can add custom gate hardware, specific railing heights, and layout constraints. Views worth protecting sometimes require LVL beam engineering to reduce post count and keep sightlines open.

Deck Pricing by Tier

Here is just a sampling of projects we have built. These will give you an idea of what we can do and the price range you can anticipate. These figures are the foundation of this deck pricing guide that will help you understand the cost of a deck in the Chicago suburbs.

Entry Level: $15,000-$30,000

At this range, you are looking at a single-level deck built with entry-level or mid-grade composite decking, a standard railing system, and a clean but uncomplicated layout. Two projects from our portfolio illustrate what this tier delivers.

• Palatine Privacy Deck ($15,000-$25,000) used Deckorators Venture decking, Trex Select railings, and a Deckorators privacy screen to give the homeowners a low-maintenance deck that blocked sightlines from neighboring properties. It is a practical, well-built deck that met a specific need within a defined budget.
• Cary Composite Deck and Paver Patio ($20,000-$30,000) added a paver patio using Unilock Brussels block, a new frame, Trex Naturals decking, and Trex Select railing. We also enclosed a concrete retaining wall with PVC lattice to give the space a more finished appearance.
• Who This Tier Fits: Homeowners with a clear budget ceiling who want durable, low-maintenance composite over a wood replacement, without design complexity or high-end material upgrades.
• What This Tier Typically Does Not Include: Multi-level layouts, premium decking brands, glass railings, pergolas, waterproofing systems, or paver patios larger than a basic ground-level pad.

Mid-Range: $30,000-$75,000

This is the most active range in our project portfolio and, not coincidentally, it is where most suburban homeowners land. The variation within this tier is wide because it covers everything from a straightforward re-deck with an add-on pergola to a multi-level pool deck with premium composite decking and custom stairs.

Several projects illustrate where this range goes:

• Algonquin Deck Transformation ($30,000-$40,000): A resurfacing project where the existing structure was kept, and the surface, railing, and pergola were all replaced. Trex Lineage decking, Trex Transcend railing, and a Lumber Rock pergola over the grill station with post lighting. This project is a useful reference point because it shows how much a well-chosen resurfacing can deliver without a full teardown and rebuild.
• Rolling Meadows Deck Makeover ($30,000-$40,000): A full re-deck using Trex Enhanced, Trex Transcends railing, integrated deck and riser lighting, and a PVC lattice enclosure beneath the deck. The lighting package elevated both the appearance and the safety of the finished space.
• Palatine Dual Staircase Deck ($30,000-$45,000): A large single-level deck with two staircases for yard access, built with Deckorators decking, Trex T-Rail, and Trex PVC fascia. A straightforward layout done at scale.
• Sleepy Hollow Multi-Level Pool Deck ($40,000-$50,000): A multi-level pool deck with flared stairs and a code-compliant inset gate. The herringbone pattern at the gate location added a custom detail that elevated the finished look. TimberTech/AZEK decking and TimberTech Rails Impressions railing.
• Carpentersville Poolside Multi-Level Deck ($65,000-$75,000): A larger multi-level pool deck built to solve a significant elevation change from the back door to an above-ground pool. TimberTech Dark Teak decking, Westbury C-10 railings, and vertical skirting with storage access below. The scale and complexity of the multi-level layout, plus pool code compliance, pushed this project to the upper end of the mid-range.
• Who This Tier Fits: Homeowners who want quality composite with room in the budget for at least one meaningful upgrade, whether that is multi-level design, a pergola, lighting, a paver landing, or a railing step up from the base tier.
• What This Tier Typically Does Not Include: Premium glass or frameless railing systems, dry-space waterproofing systems, full paver patios, or cedar pergola structures. Those features are present in the tiers above.

Premium: $75,000-$150,000

At this range, projects involve larger square footage, higher-end material selections, structural complexity, or a combination of all three.

Winnetka Multi-Level Deck with Fire Pit ($80,000-$100,000): A multi-level AZEK deck with AZEK railings, PVC skirting, and AZEK trim throughout, built to accommodate a gas fire pit and provide distinct seating areas across two levels.

Prospect Heights Cedar Pergola and Pool Deck ($90,000-$110,000): A spacious pool deck with Azek Weathered Teak decking, Westbury aluminum railings, and a custom rough-sawn cedar pergola over a covered section. EZ Glaze roof panels with a bronze coating allow natural light through without glare. Horizontal skirting beneath the deck creates concealed storage for pool equipment while keeping animals out.

Who This Tier Fits: Homeowners with a pool or a yard that calls for a structure alongside the deck, those who want premium composite brands throughout, or those whose site conditions require more engineering investment.

Luxury: $150,000+

Projects at this level typically involve premium material combinations, significant engineering, and layered features that each carry substantial cost individually.

Both of our current luxury-tier projects are in Elgin, and both prioritized views, premium low-maintenance materials, and complete outdoor systems rather than just a deck surface.

• Crystal Rail Deck in Elgin ($150,000-$200,000): AZEK Coastline decking with a Dark Hickory border, Crystal Rail 3/8-inch frameless glass panels with an easy-clean coating, LVL beam engineering to extend framing spans and minimize post count on one side of the deck, Trex RainEscape waterproofing with a finished aluminum panel ceiling below, and County Grand Discover pavers at ground level. Every decision in this project was made to maximize the golf course sightline and eliminate maintenance.
• AZEK Deck with Glass Railings and Screened Patio in Elgin ($180,000-$200,000): AZEK Slate Grey decking, Westbury glass railings, integrated post and riser lighting, Trex RainEscape with a dry lower level enclosed by Westbury screen rail for a bug-free underside retreat, and a Country Grand Discover paver patio. The result is a full outdoor system across two levels, with built-in weather protection.
• Who This Tier Fits: Homeowners with a premium budget, a strong view or architectural setting worth responding to, and a low tolerance for ongoing maintenance.

Decking Materials and What Tier They Typically Appear In

The brand and product line of the decking material are among the clearest signals of your deck cost.

Deckorators (Venture, Voyage) and entry-level Trex lines (Enhance, Select) are the most common materials. They are durable, low-maintenance composites with solid warranties and a clean appearance. They are not the top of the market, but they are not cutting corners either. We are a Deckorators Certified installer and a Trex Pro Gold installer.

Trex mid- and upper-line products (Transcend, Lineage, Naturals) and TimberTech products appear frequently in the mid-range and extend into the premium tier. TimberTech Dark Teak, used in the Carpentersville project, is a high-performing capped composite with a realistic wood grain appearance. We hold TimberTech Pro Gold certification.

AZEK is the premium-tier composite brand that appears most often in our $75,000+ projects. It is a full PVC product rather than a wood-composite blend, which gives it the longest-term performance in the industry. It is also the most expensive decking material we regularly install.

Crystal Rail and Westbury glass railing are the top-tier railing options in our portfolio and appear almost exclusively in projects above $100,000. The material cost and installation complexity of frameless or semi-frameless glass systems are not insignificant. For projects where views matter and the budget supports it, there is no comparable product. We are a certified Westbury installer.

What Can Push a Project Into a Higher Tier

A homeowner sometimes comes in expecting a mid-range project and finds the estimate landing higher. The most common reasons:

• Pool Proximity: Pool decks are subject to code requirements for gate hardware, latch height, railing height, and self-closing mechanisms. These requirements add both material and labor costs and can require specific layout decisions that a standard deck does not.
• Yard Slope: A significant grade change means more material for framing, taller posts, and sometimes engineered footings. The Carpentersville project, for example, required a multi-level design specifically because the yard dropped steeply between the house and the pool. That elevation change was not optional.
• Waterproofing Systems: Trex RainEscape and similar under-deck drainage systems add meaningful cost but turn the space beneath an elevated deck into a usable, dry area. Both Elgin luxury-tier projects used RainEscape. The cost is real, and the result is a finished ceiling below the deck, not just a dry patch of ground.
• Pergolas: A Lumber Rock or TimberTech pergola over a grill station, as in the Algonquin project, can be done within a mid-range budget. A custom rough-sawn cedar pergola with glazed roof panels, as in the Prospect Heights project, adds considerably more. Scope and material choice drive the difference.
• Glass and Frameless Railings: This is the single add-on most likely to push a project into the next tier. Westbury glass and Crystal Rail systems are not incremental upgrades over aluminum or composite rail. They represent a different category of cost.
• Paver Patios: A small Unilock Brussels block landing, as in the Cary project, is manageable within an entry-level budget. A full County Grand Discover paver patio surrounding a large deck, as in the Elgin projects, adds substantially more.
• Integrated Lighting: Deck and riser lighting is not expensive relative to overall project cost, but it is a recurring add-on that homeowners frequently request after seeing it in a completed project.

What Happens When You Request a Free Estimate

We offer free estimates for all residential deck projects in the Palatine area and throughout the northwest and north Chicago suburbs.

When you contact us, here is what to expect. We will schedule a time to visit your property and look at the site in person. We will ask about your goals, your budget range, and any specific features you have in mind. We will also look at site conditions that affect cost, including slope, access, proximity to a pool, and the condition of any existing structure.

After the visit, we put together a detailed estimate based on your specific project, not a range pulled from a pricing sheet. While this deck pricing guide provides ranges, your estimate will reflect current material and labor costs, which is the only accurate way to price a project given how much costs have shifted in recent years.

We have been building decks in the Chicago suburbs for over 30 years. We are certified installers for Trex, TimberTech, AZEK, Deckorators, Westbury, MoistureShield, Fiberon, and Zuri. We hold Trex Pro Gold and TimberTech Pro Gold status. We do not subcontract our work.