Example deck plan, start to finish
Wood or composite deck with railings and stairs. This is a real output from the deck calculator — nothing blurred, nothing withheld. Change any dimension and yours regenerates instantly. Estimates only, never a quote.
- Length
- 16 ft
- Width
- 12 ft
- Area
- 192 sqft
- Material
- pressure-treated
- Style
- attached
- Steps
- 4
Scaled diagram
Full shopping list
Decking boards (pressure-treated 5/4×6, 12') 58 ea × $18 | $1,044 |
Joists (PT 2×8, 12') 15 ea × $22 | $330 |
Beam boards (PT 2×10, 12') 9 ea × $32 | $288 |
Posts (6×6 × 6') 6 ea × $45 | $270 |
Concrete mix (50lb bags) 12 bag × $7 | $78 |
Structural fasteners & hangers 20 lb × $10 | $200 |
Ledger board (PT 2×10, 12') 2 ea × $32 | $64 |
Railing system (posts, rails, balusters) 37 lf × $22 | $814 |
Stair stringers (PT 2×12) 3 ea × $24 | $72 |
Stair treads 4 ea × $12 | $48 |
| Incl. 10% waste ($292) | $3,208 |
Cut list
- Ledger board ×12×10 × 16'
- Posts ×66×6 × 6'
- Beam plies ×92×10 × 12' (cut to 16')
- Joists ×132×8 × 12'
- Decking ×265/4×6 rows, 16' each
- Stair stringers ×32×12 cut for 4 × 7" riser / 11" tread
- Railing ×137 linear ft
Permit checkpoints
- Set your state for localized rules
Permit thresholds, frost-line depth, and fence-height caps vary a lot by state. Pick your state above to tailor this checklist.
- Building permit almost certainly required
Nearly every U.S. jurisdiction requires a permit for any deck over 30" tall or over 200 sq ft. Plans, footing depth, and joist span tables will need to be submitted. Do this BEFORE ordering material.
- Call 811 before you dig
Free U.S. utility locate service. Required by law before digging footings. Schedule at least 3 business days out.
- Dig footings below the frost line
Footings must extend below your local frost line — typically 24" in the South, 42–48" in the Northeast/Midwest. If they don't, the deck will heave every winter.
- Confirm your property lines and setbacks
Most codes require decks to sit 5–10 ft inside side/rear property lines. Pull your plat before you dig.
- Railings are code-required
Your deck is 3 ft above grade. Anything ≥ 30" (2.5 ft) needs a guardrail at least 36" tall (42" in some jurisdictions) with balusters spaced ≤ 4" apart.
Rules vary by city and county — always confirm with your local building department. Estimates only, not a permit determination.
Plan it. Price it. Build it.
Enter your own dimensions and get this same plan for your yard — plus the build guide, permit packet and printable PDFs.
Start my deck