Seattle, Washington · Deck Building
Cedar and Pressure-Treated Wood Decks in Seattle
Wood is still the cheaper way to build a deck around Seattle. Across three local contractors that publish prices, an installed cedar deck typically runs $34–$45 per square foot, below composite. The trade-off is maintenance, and on a shady, damp lot that trade-off gets expensive. Our vetted local deck pro can tell you which fits your yard.
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Typical price in Seattle: Cedar deck, installed$34–$45 per sq ft of deckSource: 3 Seattle-area contractor price pages, price data from September 17, 2026
- Price ranges from sourced dataUpdated September 17, 2026
- 6towns covered in Seattle
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Reviewed by: Patrik Lorentzson, Editor, Seattle Quality Decks · Last reviewed
General information only, not advice for your project. Seattle Quality Decks does not advise on, design or manage projects; the contractor you choose does.
How much does a cedar deck cost in Seattle?
Cedar is the lowest upfront cost at $34–$45 per sq ft installed, and a Kirkland builder gives $30 to $45 for the Seattle area. On the Eastside the figure is higher, $55–$95 for cedar. A worked example: a 12 by 16 foot deck, a common Seattle backyard size, runs near $10,500 at roughly $55 per square foot. Full ranges are in the deck cost guide.
Cedar or pressure-treated lumber?
Pressure-treated wood is the budget floor for decking material: $2–$4/sq ft for the boards alone, while redwood decking runs $7 to $12 per square foot as material. Installed, pressure-treated decks cost about $45–$75 per square foot on the Eastside. Whatever goes on top, Seattle requires treated wood or wood that naturally resists decay wherever wood touches concrete that is close to earth.
Which Seattle lots suit a wood deck?
South-facing, well-drained flat lots. Cedar only makes financial sense there, in neighborhoods like Beacon Hill, Columbia City, and parts of West Seattle. A deck under tall trees or on a north slope stays wet longer, and that is where the upkeep bill grows. In older neighborhoods of Lynnwood and Edmonds, check first whether the permit rules for a replacement deck have changed since the old one went in.
What does it cost to keep a wood deck looking right?
Plan for regular finish work: restaining every two to three years at $6–10 per sq ft, with professional staining or sealing at $550–$1,250, depending on deck size and finish type. Add those cycles to the build price before you compare wood with composite decks.
Sources
- Orca Roofing & Construction: Seattle deck cost guide (2026), September 17, 2026
- Contour Fence: Deck installation cost Seattle (2026), September 17, 2026
- Pelletier Construction: Custom decks (Eastside pricing), September 17, 2026
- Kolmo: Seattle deck cost 2026, September 17, 2026
- GP General Corp: Composite deck cost, Snohomish County, September 17, 2026
- Orca Roofing & Construction: Cost to replace a deck in Washington, September 17, 2026
- Seattle SDCI: Decks (permits and code requirements), September 17, 2026
Planning a deck?
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Frequently asked questions
Does a wood deck need a permit in Seattle?
Material makes no difference. Seattle requires a permit for a deck more than 18 inches above the ground, a roof deck, or a deck in an environmentally critical area. See the deck permit guide.
Is ipe or another hardwood an option?
Yes, at a higher price. Premium hardwoods such as ipe and cumaru run $12–$20/sq ft for the decking material alone.