Short answer
In Greensboro, HomeBlue's local estimate puts a pressure-treated pine deck at $16.00 to $19.00 per square foot and composite at $32.00 to $33.00. Most of that gap is the decking itself. The frame underneath is treated lumber either way, and the frame is what decides how long the deck lasts.
A deck is a small structure, and we build it like one. It needs footings, a ledger bolted to the house with proper flashing, a frame sized for its spans, and railings that hold when someone leans on them. Decking boards are the part you see and choose, but they rarely fail first. Ledgers and footings do.
The city treats a new deck as added footprint, which always needs a building permit, so we draw the plan, apply, and schedule the footing, framing and final inspections. If an HOA or a historic district review applies, that approval comes before the permit, and we'll tell you which one does.
What moves the price of deck building
Greensboro has its own per-square-foot deck figures and Cost vs Value job costs.
- Decking material Composite runs nearly twice what treated pine does per square foot in Greensboro.
- Height and stairs Raised decks need taller posts, bracing and long stair runs.
- Footings More or deeper footings add digging and concrete.
- Old deck removal Tearing out and hauling off an existing deck adds labor.
| What the figure covers | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deck per sq ft installed, Greensboro | Pressure treated pine $16.00 to $19.00; composite $32.00 to $33.00; cedar $27.00 to $31.00 | Cost to Build a Deck in Greensboro, North Carolina - HomeBlue |
| Wood deck addition, Greensboro | $15,878 (job cost) | 2025 Cost vs. Value Report - Greensboro, NC (JLC / Zonda) |
| Composite deck addition, Greensboro | $22,803 (job cost) | 2025 Cost vs. Value Report - Greensboro, NC (JLC / Zonda) |
Published figures are averages from the sources named, not a quote. Your price comes after the walk-through.
Pine, cedar or composite: decking compared
| Decking | Greensboro installed cost (HomeBlue) | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $16.00 to $19.00 per sq ft | Clean and restain periodically |
| Cedar | $27.00 to $31.00 per sq ft | Resists rot; still needs sealing |
| Composite | $32.00 to $33.00 per sq ft | Washing only, no stain |
Pressure-treated pine decks that last
Pressure-treated southern yellow pine is the most common deck material, and it lasts when it's built and kept right. We use lumber rated for ground contact on posts and anything near soil, coated screws or hidden fasteners, and gaps between boards so they dry after rain. New treated lumber is wet, so it needs time to dry before stain. We also seal cut ends, where the treatment doesn't fully reach. HomeBlue's Greensboro estimate is $16.00 to $19.00 per square foot, or $3,200 to $3,800 for a 200-square-foot deck.
Composite decking over a treated frame
Composite boards don't need stain and won't splinter, but the frame below is still treated wood, so we build it to the same standard. Composite needs closer joist spacing than pine and gets hot in full sun, which matters on a south- or west-facing deck. We follow the maker's fastener and gap specs exactly. HomeBlue puts Greensboro composite at $32.00 to $33.00 per square foot, and the 2025 Cost vs Value report lists a Greensboro composite deck addition at $22,803.
Rebuilding a deck on its old footings
Reusing footings saves money only if they're sound, deep enough and in the right places for the new frame. Plenty of older decks sit on footings that are too shallow or small, or on posts buried straight in the ground. We dig beside each footing to check it. The ledger is the other weak point: an old one nailed on without flashing has probably let water into the house rim joist. The 2025 Cost vs Value report lists a Greensboro wood deck addition at $15,878.
Stairs, railings and lights people use
Stairs and railings are where decks fail inspection and where people get hurt. We build stairs with even risers and solid stringers landing on a pad, and set railing posts bolted through the frame rather than nailed to it. Balusters can be wood, aluminum or cable. Low-voltage lights in stair risers or post caps make the steps safe after dark. HomeAdvisor's national range for building a deck is $4,339 to $12,652, and taller decks with long stair runs land toward the top.
Call (336) 347-1995Want someone to look at your room? The phone is answered around the clock.
Remodeling this in Greensboro houses
Greensboro's weather works on deck wood all year. Under 1991-2020 normals at Piedmont Triad International Airport, the city gets about 44 inches of rain annually and July highs average 88.5 F, so boards cycle between soaked and baked. Termites are the other threat. NC State Extension says eastern subterranean termites go after wood touching soil, and that renovation disturbing the treated soil band at a foundation can weaken termite protection. We keep deck wood off the ground and flag footing digs near the house.
Signs it is time to call
- Soft or spongy boardsBoards that give underfoot are rotting from below.
- Railings that wobbleA railing that moves when you lean on it is loose at the posts.
- Rust around fastenersCorroded nails and hangers weaken connections you can't see.
- A gap at the house wallA deck pulling away from the house means the ledger is failing.
How we run the job, step by step
- Site plan and designWe measure the yard and house wall and draw the deck.
- PermitWe apply with the plan and schedule inspections.
- FootingsHoles are dug, inspected and poured.
- Ledger and frameThe ledger is flashed and bolted, and the frame goes up.
- Decking, stairs, railingsBoards, stairs and railings go on, then the final inspection.