Ballpark costs for steel deck

Hi folks,

I’m in the process of adding a deck to my townhome. Nothing too crazy — a deck off the back of the parlor level with stairs that lead to the garden level. Roughly 185 square feet.

My contractor is telling me that it’s going to be ~$30k just for the steel alone! I’m having a really hard time believing that. Anyone have ideas for how accurate this is? I’ve tried calling vendors, but they’re asking me for things like a material list, which I can’t really parse just from the plans.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

chris.beresford-hill

in General Discussion 1 year and 11 months ago

9

Please log in, in order to post replies!

9 replies

Newest Oldest

cambellara | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4890 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4887 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "190540"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "cambellara"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bi3eIEw2Ea86QBPbLdLbyQqmQ1mHHl0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "cambellara"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "camendolara@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-22 16:50:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(41) "Catherine Amendolara Catherine Amendolara"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(190540)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This price doesn’t sound crazy. We got a wood deck, with composite board (Trex) and paid $25,000. Similar size. We got many quotes, and Vandeck Builders was by far the best price and service.

cambellara | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4891 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4892 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "190540"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "cambellara"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bi3eIEw2Ea86QBPbLdLbyQqmQ1mHHl0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "cambellara"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "camendolara@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-22 16:50:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(41) "Catherine Amendolara Catherine Amendolara"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(190540)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

This price doesn’t sound crazy. We got a wood deck, with composite board (Trex) and paid $25,000. Similar size. We got many quotes, and Vandeck Builders was by far the best price and service.

mozeeatupu | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4895 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5061 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176749"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "mozeeatupu"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BHO3bQekVGtCrXmPMzpkzkalt5eAQl/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "mozeeatupu"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "grandzu@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(25) "/forums/users/mozeeatupu/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:47"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "mozeeatupu"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176749)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Got a 24.4×8 steel deck with I-beams and 6 columns and footings in 2017, was roughly $16k and didn’t include concrete, shop drawings, plans and permits.

Lurker | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4892 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4890 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "113126"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Biam83uc193o8.v5qK1VChb9yjJ5vu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "lurker"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jcjedi_10003@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/lurker/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2011-01-19 18:44:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(113126)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

sorry I included pricing that was for material fabrication and installation. labor in our case was minor as it was one day for 2 guys. a larger deck would be more substantial. And Amister has a great point both on pricing and scaling. This was in 2015 so we presumably benefited from that dip.

southsloppy | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4891 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5062 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "192508"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "southsloppy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BdsK91TTxgr3IzeTTTm5/EE9sUwmfw/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "southsloppy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "leslie_nguyen@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 10:02:16"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(192508)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

We just finished our steel deck as part of a larger reno, about same surface and scope as yours. 30k (assuming it’s Steel + Fabrication) doesn’t seem too too far off. Granted we also had a LOT of back and forth between our contractor and the structural engineer on footing size, column sizing. Learned quite a few lessons in the process, happy to share, please feel free to msg me.

funbunch1 | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4895 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5064 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193334"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "funbunch1"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B6a8CiknahAlRBBaqKfgSpS0rx1GcI1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "funbunch1"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "Susan.danee@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-23 10:52:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193334)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Two observations:
1) Lurker’s estimate probably shouldn’t be scaled linearly.
2) If Lurkers timeline of “almost 10 years ago” fell in the 2014-2016 period it would have coincided with a historic fall in steel prices.
see this article for example:
https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/28/steel-demand-evaporating-at-unprecedented-speed.html

Given the higher commodity price and the insane explosion in labor costs, it’s not impossible to see how you could go from $5k a decade ago to $30k price for OP’s admittedly larger job.

chris.beresford-hill | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5312 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5313 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "203339"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(20) "chris.beresford-hill"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BEgj4k7U7TLuGX7b/1wi8CuqEOWmt2."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(33) "chris-beresford-hilltbwachiat-com"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(34) "chris.beresford-hill@tbwachiat.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2018-07-21 16:55:35"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(20) "Chris Beresford-Hill"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(203339)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

FWIW, I just spoke to a different contractor who suggested they could do the entire job (including finished materials) for $40k. So unless they’re doing the work for free, it seems like 35-40k would be on the higher side.

Still, would love to know what numbers others have seen from building a comparable deck

Lurker | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4863 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5314 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "113126"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Biam83uc193o8.v5qK1VChb9yjJ5vu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "lurker"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jcjedi_10003@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/lurker/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2011-01-19 18:44:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(113126)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

that seems normal or cheap. as reference, a barebones 25 sqf deck from a known company on this site, with 2 columns and footings, 8 stairs, a concrete pad, primed not painted was like $5k almost 10 years ago. yours is more than 7x as large which would be 35-40k.

Lurker | 1 year and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5313 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4895 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "113126"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Biam83uc193o8.v5qK1VChb9yjJ5vu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "lurker"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jcjedi_10003@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/lurker/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2011-01-19 18:44:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(113126)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

https://www.metalsdepot.com/steel-products/steel-beams