Why we made this guide
Ask most contractors what a project costs and you hear "it depends." That is true, but it does not tell you whether a project fits your budget before you spend weeks collecting quotes. So we put our real 2026 ranges in one place.
This guide is our attempt to fix that for the greater Austin area. The numbers below are real ranges based on what we charge, what we see other reputable contractors charge, and what the materials and labor cost in 2026.
They're not "starting at" lowballs and they're not worst-case ceilings. They're honest middle-of-the-road ranges with the assumption that you want quality work that lasts.
We hope it helps you budget, ask the right questions, and not get taken for a ride. If you decide to call us when you're ready, that'd be great too.
Custom decks & covered patios
Pressure-Treated Pine Deck
Per square foot, installed$30 – $45
Typical 12x16 deck (192 sq ft)$5,800 – $8,600
Typical 16x20 deck (320 sq ft)$9,600 – $14,400
Lasts 15-20 years in Austin's climate. Stain or seal every 2-3 years for longest life. Best value for big footprints.
Western Red Cedar Deck
Per square foot, installed$50 – $75
Typical 12x16 deck (192 sq ft)$9,600 – $14,400
Typical 16x20 deck (320 sq ft)$16,000 – $24,000
Lasts 20-30 years. Naturally rot-resistant, no chemicals. Ages to silver-grey if untreated, or stain to keep the warm tone.
Composite Decking (Trex, TimberTech, etc.)
Per square foot, installed$60 – $100
Typical 12x16 deck (192 sq ft)$11,500 – $19,200
Typical 16x20 deck (320 sq ft)$19,200 – $32,000
Lasts 25+ years. Lowest maintenance. No staining or sealing. Premium product, premium price.
What adds to the price
- Height off the ground: elevated decks need bigger footings, more posts, and stairs. Adds 15-30%.
- Multi-level designs: each level adds framing complexity. Plan on 20-40% over a single-level build.
- Railings: standard wood railings included. Cable rail or glass adds $40-80 per linear foot.
- Built-ins: benches, planters, lighting wired in: typically $1,500-5,000 depending on scope.
- Pergola integration: a small cedar pergola tied into the deck framing adds roughly $10,500 to $16,000.
Cedar fences & gates
6-foot Cedar Privacy Fence
Per linear foot, installed (cedar, side-by-side)$32 – $48
Per linear foot, installed (cedar, board-on-board)$38 – $55
Per linear foot, installed (Pressure-Treated Pine)$28 – $40
Typical small backyard (120 lf, cedar side-by-side)$3,850 – $5,750
Typical full backyard (200 lf, cedar side-by-side)$6,400 – $9,600
Cedar lasts 20-30 years untreated. Pressure-treated lasts 15-20 years and is the right call if you're fencing big footage.
Add-ons
Pedestrian gate (3-4 ft)$350 – $650
Double drive gate (10-14 ft)$1,200 – $2,400
Steel posts (vs. wood)+$12 – $20 per post
Stain & seal+$3 – $7/lf per side
Horizontal cedar, per linear foot$48 – $72
Pergolas & patio covers
Freestanding Cedar Pergola
12x12 to 12x16 cedar pergola$8,500 – $13,000
14x16 to 16x20 and up$13,500 – $22,000
Open-beam construction for partial shade. Great for string lights and outdoor dining.
Attached Patio Cover (solid roof)
12x12 to 12x16 cover, shingle roof$14,500 – $22,000
14x20 and up, shingle roof$22,500 – $38,000
Cedar tongue-and-groove ceiling+$2,700 – $8,500
Lighting, fan wiring, ceiling fan+$900 – $4,000
Full sun and rain protection. Tongue-and-groove cedar ceilings are the Austin favorite finish.
Roof replacement
Asphalt Shingle Roof
Architectural shingles, per sq ft installed$5.50 – $9.00
Typical 2,000 sq ft home, architectural$11,000 – $18,000
Typical 2,000 sq ft home, 3-tab$9,000 – $13,000
Class 4 impact-rated shingle upgrade+$0.50 – $1.20/sq ft
Architectural shingles are the Austin standard. Class 4 impact-rated shingles often qualify for an insurance discount.
Standing-Seam Metal Roof
Per square foot, installed$12.50 – $22.00
Typical 2,000 sq ft home$25,000 – $45,000
40+ year lifespan, reflects heat, and can qualify for insurance discounts with some carriers. The right call for Hill Country homes.
Hardie & fiber cement siding
Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
Per square foot, installed$10 – $16
Typical 1,500 sq ft single-story home$17,000 – $26,000
Typical 2,500 sq ft two-story home$30,000 – $44,000
Single elevation (one wall)$6,000 – $14,000
Includes tear-off, house wrap, trim, and two-coat paint, and a big lift in curb appeal.
Concrete & hardscape
Concrete Patios
Standard concrete, per sq ft$8 – $15
Stamped or stained concrete, per sq ft$15 – $25
Typical 14x16 patio (224 sq ft)$1,800 – $3,400
Typical 20x24 patio (480 sq ft)$3,800 – $7,200
Pavers, Fire Features & More
Paver patio, per sq ft$14 – $24
Flagstone patio, per sq ft$18 – $30
Wood-burning fire pit$2,500 – $5,500
Gas fire pit with line install$4,500 – $9,000
Stone outdoor fireplace$8,000 – $20,000+
Retaining wall, per face foot$45 – $95
10 things that move the price
Whatever the project, these are the variables that swing the final number more than anything else. Worth knowing before you ask for a quote.
- Site access. Backyard fenced in with no truck access? Add 10-20% for hand-hauling everything.
- Demolition & disposal. Removing an old deck, fence, or roof costs real money, especially if there's hidden rot underneath.
- Permit & HOA fees. Most Austin decks and patio covers need permits. HOA submission fees are typical too.
- Slope & soil. Hill Country limestone? Heavy clay? Both add to footing cost.
- Engineering requirements. Larger structures, certain spans, and any electrical may require stamped engineering plans.
- Material grade. #1 cedar vs. #2 cedar is a real visual difference, and a real price difference.
- Hardware quality. Cheap fasteners rust and stain wood within a year. Stainless or coated hardware costs more upfront, lasts decades.
- Lighting & electrical. Wiring in fans, lights, or speakers means an electrician on the job.
- Tear-off complexity (roofing). Multiple roof layers, rotted decking, or chimney flashing rebuild can change a roof quote significantly.
- Schedule pressure. Need it done by a specific date? That sometimes costs more, just being honest.
8 questions to ask any contractor
Ask before you sign anything
- Are you licensed and insured? Get a copy of the certificate. Some contractors say yes and don't have it.
- Will my project be on a written, line-itemed quote? Materials, labor, dump fees, permits: all spelled out separately.
- Who pulls permits and handles HOA? If they say "you do," that's a flag.
- What's your warranty, in writing? Verbal warranties are not warranties.
- Will the same crew that bids the job do the work? Some companies sub everything out. You want to know who's swinging hammers.
- What's the payment schedule? Avoid anyone asking for more than 30-40% up front.
- Can I see recent finished work nearby? Real photos, real addresses, real recent.
- What's your communication style? Daily texts? Weekly check-ins? Make sure their style matches yours.
Ready for a real, line-itemed quote?
Free on-site estimate. Call or text anytime.
No pressure, no obligation, no upsell. Just honest pricing and quality work.
Get my free quoteor call (512) 587-3914
Ready to plan one? See our outdoor living page for how a combined project runs, what order to build in, and where the money goes.
Weighing a metal roof against new shingles? See our comparison of metal roofs vs shingles in Austin, with costs, hail, insurance and HOA rules.
Sources
- Work exempt from building permits, City of Austin Development Services: which decks, fences, retaining walls and small accessory structures can be built without a building permit.
- Roofing discounts, Texas Department of Insurance: impact-resistant (UL 2218) roofing can qualify for a premium discount, and each insurer sets its own amount.
Prices on this page come from our own 2026 Austin-area quotes. Rules change, so we check which ones apply to your address before every build. New to a term? See our plain-English glossary.