How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck or Patio in Lexington, KY
Homeowners planning a remodel often reach a point where interior upgrades feel complete, yet the home still feels limited in how it functions day to day. Outdoor space frequently holds untapped potential. A deck or a patio can transform unused yard space into a functional extension of the home, creating room for entertaining, quiet evenings, or family gatherings. While the idea sounds straightforward, the cost behind these projects often feels unclear until estimates start coming in.
In this blog, we’ll share how much it costs to build a deck or a patio, how pricing differs between the two, which materials and construction factors drive cost, and what to consider before requesting contractor quotes.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck?
Decks often come with higher price tags than homeowners expect because they are structural additions. They require framing, foundations, and compliance with local building codes. Even modest decks involve multiple construction stages that go well beyond surface materials. Understanding the full scope helps clarify why deck pricing varies so widely.
Average Deck Costs
Deck pricing depends heavily on size, height, materials, and included features. Most professionally built residential decks fall into these general ranges:
Deck Type | Size (sq ft) | Estimated Total Cost |
Basic wood deck without railing | 12×12 (144 sq ft) | $4,000 – $6,500 |
Mid-range wood deck with stairs and railing | 14×16 (224 sq ft) | $7,000 – $11,000 |
Composite deck with railing and lighting | 16×20 (320 sq ft) | $12,000 – $20,000+ |
These figures reflect professional installation, standard permitting, and typical site conditions. Larger decks increase cost faster than many homeowners anticipate because framing, support posts, and hardware scale with size.
Material choice also plays a major role in total investment:
Deck Material | Average Installed Cost (per sq ft) |
Pressure-treated wood | $25 – $40 |
Cedar or redwood | $30 – $45 |
Composite decking | $35 – $60 |
PVC decking | $45 – $70 |
Ipe or hardwood decking | $50 – $80 |
More expensive materials often reduce maintenance but increase upfront cost.
Key Cost Drivers for Decks
Deck estimates often include line items that seem excessive at first glance. Each one typically reflects a structural or code-driven requirement rather than an arbitrary markup.
Framing and Elevation
Decks raised more than 30 inches above grade require deeper footings, additional posts, and more extensive framing. These elements increase excavation time, concrete usage, and labor. Ground-level decks avoid many of these requirements, which explains why they cost less even at similar sizes.
Stairs and Railings
Building codes require guardrails on elevated decks, and stairs must meet strict spacing and height rules. Costs add up quickly:
- Stairs typically cost $40 to $100 per step.
- Railings range from $25 to $150 per linear foot depending on material.
Metal, cable, and glass railing systems increase labor and material costs but may be chosen for durability or appearance.
Design Complexity
Simple rectangular decks install faster and generate less waste. Curves, angles, and multi-level layouts require additional framing, precise cuts, and more skilled labor. Even decorative board patterns increase install time.
Footings and Code Compliance
Deck footings must meet local frost-depth requirements. In colder regions, this means deeper excavation and more concrete. Some municipalities require engineered drawings for elevated or attached decks, which adds design fees.
Built-In Features
Features such as benches, pergolas, planters, privacy screens, or under-deck drainage systems add both material and labor costs. A single built-in bench often ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on size and finish.
Maintenance Over Time
Wood decks require regular sealing or staining every two to three years. Composite and PVC decking reduce ongoing maintenance but increase initial cost. Long-term ownership costs should factor into material decisions.
Permit and Inspection Costs
Deck construction almost always requires permits. Fees typically range from $200 to $500, with higher costs for multi-story decks or engineered plans. Unpermitted decks can cause delays during resale and may require costly retroactive approvals.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Patio?
Patios provide outdoor living space without the structural demands of a deck. Because they sit at ground level, they generally cost less. However, patio pricing still varies widely depending on materials, site conditions, and added features.
Average Patio Costs
Typical patio projects fall into the following ranges:
Patio Type | Size (sq ft) | Estimated Total Cost |
Basic concrete slab | 10×12 (120 sq ft) | $1,200 – $2,400 |
Stamped or colored concrete | 12×14 (168 sq ft) | $3,000 – $5,500 |
Concrete paver patio | 14×16 (224 sq ft) | $4,000 – $7,000 |
Natural stone patio | 16×20 (320 sq ft) | $6,500 – $12,000+ |
Material selection directly affects both cost and long-term performance:
Patio Material | Installed Cost (per sq ft) |
Plain concrete | $10 – $20 |
Stamped concrete | $15 – $30 |
Concrete pavers | $15 – $35 |
Brick | $20 – $40 |
Flagstone or slate | $25 – $50+ |
Higher-end materials increase labor time and require experienced installers.
Key Cost Drivers for Patios
Although patios lack framing, they depend heavily on site preparation and proper installation techniques.
Surface Material and Finish
Plain concrete costs less but offers limited visual interest. Decorative finishes improve appearance but increase both cost and maintenance. Pavers allow for easier repairs but require careful base preparation. Natural stone provides durability and aesthetics but demands skilled labor.
Ground Preparation
Patios require excavation, compacted gravel bases, and precise leveling. Poor soil, slopes, or existing concrete removal add $500 to $2,000 or more to the project.
Drainage
Patios must slope away from the home to prevent water pooling. In some yards, additional drainage solutions are needed. Skipping drainage work often leads to cracking or settling.
Border Work and Edging
Edge restraints prevent pavers from shifting and protect concrete edges. Retaining edges or seat walls add cost but improve longevity and usability.
Custom Features
Fire pits, seating walls, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens increase the overall budget significantly. A basic gas fire pit usually costs $1,500 to $3,500, while full outdoor kitchens often exceed $10,000.
Permit Considerations
Basic patios may not require permits, but projects involving utilities, retaining walls, or raised elements often do. Permit and inspection costs usually range from $100 to $300.
Deck vs. Patio Cost Comparison
Budgets drive most remodeling decisions, but cost is rarely as simple as square footage multiplied by a rate. Building a deck or a patio involves unique construction challenges that affect pricing well beyond the surface materials.
Elevation, slope, access, permits, drainage, and soil conditions can all increase or reduce your overall spend—often in ways that aren’t obvious at first.
Taking time to understand how these costs are built helps you avoid budget overruns and make decisions grounded in the realities of your site and your goals.
Feature | Deck | Patio |
Average total cost | $7,000 – $20,000+ | $2,000 – $10,000+ |
Cost per sq ft | $25 – $70+ | $10 – $50+ |
Elevation required | Yes | No |
Structural complexity | High | Low to moderate |
Permits required | Usually | Sometimes |
Maintenance needs | Moderate to high | Low to moderate |
Both options offer value, but the right choice depends on yard conditions, budget, and how the space will be used.
Get Expert Help to Make the Right Deck vs Patio Decision
Deciding between building a deck or a patio involves more than comparing square footage or material costs. Without the right planning, homeowners often face issues with drainage, layout, code compliance, or long-term maintenance. What looks good on paper may not work with your slope, soil, or home elevation—and that can lead to costly rework or regret.
Whether you’re looking to add value, improve function, or create a more enjoyable outdoor space, understanding what fits your yard and lifestyle takes more than surface-level research.
That’s where expert planning makes all the difference. A good builder doesn’t sell one-size-fits-all solutions. They help you think through the trade-offs that matter to your property—grading, access, material lifespan, HOA requirements, and how the space will actually be used week to week.
At American Saddlebred Builders, we listen first. Then we guide you through options with a builder’s insight and a homeowner’s mindset. Whether your property calls for a raised deck, a low-maintenance paver patio, or a combination of both, we bring clarity to the process and precision to the build.
Serving Lexington and surrounding areas, we design and construct outdoor living spaces that look right, feel right, and last—because they’re tailored to the realities of your home, not someone else’s plan.
Schedule your consultation with American Saddlebred Builders today.