How Much Does a Pool Deck Cost in 2024?

Average Pool Deck Cost

Pool Deck Cost Factors

Many factors drive the price of a pool deck construction project, but the main ones to consider are materials, pool and deck size, your location, and the terrain you’re building on.

Materials

Depending on your desired look, budget, and amount of maintenance you’re willing to do, certain materials might make more sense for your pool deck than others. These are the main material options to consider when estimating the cost to build a pool deck.

Pool Size

The larger your pool, the larger your pool deck will need to be. Depending on whether you need a simple walk-around perimeter for the pool or are looking to create a larger deck to relax on, you’ll need to factor in the size of the pool itself to determine how big your deck will be.

Deck Size

There are two main kinds of pool decks: walk-around decks, which simply enclose the perimeter of your pool, and proportionate decks, which are about the same size as the pool and offer a larger recreation space for time spent poolside. Depending on the type of deck you want (and on the size of the pool), these pool costs can rise significantly.

Location 

Both above-ground and in-ground pool costs are highly variable depending on your location. If you live in a warm, sunny state in the Southern part of the country, pools are likely common in your area. This usually translates to lower prices for all pool-related services, including pool deck costs. If you live somewhere where pools are less common (especially in Northern states), local pool deck contractors will have less competition, meaning prices will probably be higher.

Terrain

The terrain you build your pool and deck on plays a major role in determining the price of the project. For example, if the terrain is especially rocky, it will likely cost more to prepare the land for pool deck installation. If the area is particularly sloped, you might also have to pay for hardscaping to level it. Hardscaping costs between $5 and $25 per square foot, and can add another $5,000 to $18,000 to your pool deck costs depending on the size of the area and the extent of the hardscaping.

Additional Pool Deck Cost Factors

Beyond the basics like size and materials, there are a few other cost factors you’ll need to consider when creating your budget for a new pool deck.

Permits

Pool deck contractors typically include permitting costs in their fees, but you should still account for them when determining your budget. In most locations, permits to build a pool deck range between $50 and $150.

Prep

Beyond hardscaping, you may have to pay for additional site prep to get the area ready to install a pool deck. Because your deck must be installed on a flat, even ground without any obstacles, the price to prep terrain will vary greatly from project to project. Depending on the area, you may have to pay for land leveling, which ranges from $500 to $1,000, depending on how much excavation is needed. 

You might also have to pay for tree removal, which usually costs $5 to $25 per linear foot of tree removed. For a single, average tree of 30 to 80 feet tall, this means an extra $300 to $2,000 added to the bill.

Labor

Labor costs for building a pool deck range between $11 to $22 per square foot. This means labor costs account for between 30% and 40% of the total project cost. These costs will go up if you’re in an area where pools are less common, if you need extensive hardscaping, land leveling, or tree removal, or if you’re installing a more uncommon material, such as aluminum. 

In-Ground Pool Deck Costs 

Pool decks for an in-ground pool usually cost between $3 and $40 per square foot, which makes them more expensive on average than above-ground pool decks. The price of your in-ground pool deck will vary greatly depending on the material you choose:

• Pavers: Coming in at $3 to $7 per square foot, prefabricated pavers are one of the most budget-friendly options for an in-ground pool deck. They’re also easy to install, reducing labor costs. However, they’re much less durable than other materials, such as poured concrete.

• Poured Concrete: This is a more durable option than pavers, and only costs slightly more. A poured concrete slab pool deck usually costs between $4 and $8 per square foot, though you’ll need to hire concrete experts to get the job done.

• Stamped Concrete: This is the same process as pouring concrete, only the surface is stamped before drying to give the appearance of natural stones, bricks, or anything else you might want. Stamped concrete pool decks typically cost between $12 and $20 per square foot, including labor.

• Precast Concrete: Precast concrete offers the durability of poured concrete and a lower price, similar to pavers. The only downside is the limited customization options compared to poured concrete. Precast concrete pool decks cost about $5 to $12 per square foot.

• Coral Stone: This material is derived from coral, offering a luxurious look and natural water-resistance. It’s also slip-resistant thanks to the bumpy, irregular texture. Coral stone pool decks are more expensive than other materials, at about $15 to $40 per square foot.

• Wood: Wood can be a good choice for in-ground pool decks thanks to its luxurious, natural look, but it needs more intensive maintenance to prevent rotting and peeling. Depending on the type of wood you choose, it can cost anywhere from $25 to $70 per square foot.

• Composite: This material is made of both wood and plastic, offering superior durability and low maintenance needs. Composite pool decks cost about $40 to $80 per square foot, including installation. 

• Brick: Though not the most durable choice for a high-moisture pool deck area, brick can add a classic look to your poolside. Brick pool decks cost around $20 to $35 per square foot, with installation included.

• Tile: Outdoor ceramic tile offers great slip resistance and is naturally strong against water damage, but can be prone to cracking with temperature changes if you don’t maintain them regularly. Tile pool decks cost between $3 and $40 per square foot.

Above-Ground Pool Deck Costs

Above-ground pool decks cost less than in-ground decks on average, and have a more limited range of available materials. The most common options are wood, plastic, and composite combinations of both wood and plastic together.

• Wood: Wood is the most inexpensive option for an above-ground pool deck cost, and there are many varieties to choose from. The price for a wood pool deck depends on the type of lumber you choose—simple pressure-treated pine is just $25 to $50 per square foot, while an exotic Tigerwood or Ipe can range from $40 to $70 per square foot. Fixing a wood pool deck is one of the most common pool repairs because it deteriorates faster than plastic or composite. We recommend considering future pool repair costs when choosing the right material for your project.

• Plastic: Plastic pool decking costs between $8 and $13 per square foot, making it a budget-friendly option for an above-ground pool deck. Assuming you properly maintain it, a plastic pool deck can prove to be extremely durable, though it may not offer the aesthetic look you’re after.

• Composite: This material is a mixture of wood and plastic, offering the best of both worlds. When properly cared for, composite pool decks can last for decades, requiring far less work to maintain than wood. Depending on the type of composite you choose, expect to pay $40 to $80 per square foot.

Pool Deck Replacement vs. Repair

Depending on the extent of the damage, pool deck repair might be the better option when compared to replacing it entirely. If you have a concrete pool deck that simply needs resurfacing, this can be an inexpensive job at just $3 to $12 per square foot. However, if you need more extensive repairs (such as if parts of a wooden deck have become rotten), you may pay as much as $750 to $2,500. 

Although this is far less than the average cost of a new pool deck (about $12,500), we recommend thinking ahead as well. How soon will your deck need to be repaired again? Is it more worthwhile to replace the whole thing rather than continuously paying to fix it over the next few years? Calculating future pool repair costs versus the cost to build a new one will help you make the most of your pool area for years to come.

Does Installing a Pool Deck Increase Home Value?

A new pool deck can significantly enhance your home’s backyard, which can greatly increase home value. Installing a new pool deck can increase your property value by as much as 7% to 15%, and considering a well-maintained deck will last for decades, you can see why so many homeowners decide to make the investment in a new pool deck installation.

Budgeting for a Pool Deck

Building a pool deck can be a significant expense, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are a few ways to reduce the cost of a new pool deck project:

• If you’re also building a new pool, we recommend reducing the size slightly to cut the costs of the pool deck. A smaller pool will have a smaller deck, reducing your overall costs.

• Opt for a walk-around pool deck versus a proportionate deck to reduce the size of the project, limiting material and labor costs.

• Opt for more inexpensive materials, such as pressure-treated pine, concrete, or plastic.

• Limit irregular shapes, curves, and bends when designing your pool deck. If you can’t live without them, consider choosing poured concrete as your material to reduce their impact on the final cost.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.