How Much Does a Deck Cost in Macon, GA?
The short answer for 2026: a pressure-treated wood deck runs roughly $20-35 per square foot installed around Macon; composite runs roughly $35-55. A typical 16x20 deck lands somewhere between $6,500 and $12,000 in wood, or $11,000 and $18,000 in composite.
Labor in Middle Georgia runs below the national average, so local quotes tend toward the lower end of national ranges. The spread inside those ranges is real, though, and it comes down to a handful of decisions covered below. Every number on this page is an estimate. Your written quote is the real number, and any builder who won't put their number in writing shouldn't get the job.
Cost by material (installed, per square foot)
| Material | Installed range | What you're buying |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $20-35 | Lowest upfront cost. Needs cleaning and re-sealing every 2-3 years in our humidity. |
| Cedar | $30-50 | Naturally rot-resistant, takes stain beautifully, still needs maintenance. |
| Mid-grade composite | $35-55 | No staining, no sealing, 25-30 year warranties. |
| Premium composite / PVC | $45-65+ | Top-tier capped boards, best fade resistance under Georgia sun. |
The frame under every one of these is the same pressure-treated lumber, the gap between a wood deck and a composite deck is almost entirely the boards and railing you can see, not the structure you can't.
Cost by size (typical installed ranges, Macon area)
| Size | Sq ft | Pressure-treated | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 | 120 | $2,500-4,200 | $4,200-6,600 |
| 12x16 | 192 | $3,900-6,700 | $6,700-10,500 |
| 16x20 | 320 | $6,500-11,200 | $11,200-17,600 |
| 20x20 | 400 | $8,000-14,000 | $14,000-22,000 |
What actually moves the number
Railing is the biggest hidden swing. Wood railing runs $15-30 per linear foot installed; composite or aluminum, $40-80; cable rail, $80-130. Railing should always be its own line in a bid.
Height. A ground-level deck needs no guardrail by code and simpler footings. Once raised, code-required railing, longer posts, and stair runs all stack up.
Stairs. Budget $500-2,000 for a stair run including the concrete landing pad.
Site prep on Georgia clay. Red clay holds water and moves. Footings need proper depth and prep here.
Tearing off an old deck. Demolition and disposal add roughly $3-5 per square foot. If your existing frame is sound, redecking can skip most of that: Deck Replacement →
Wood vs. composite: the decade math
Wood wins on day one. Over ten years, three to four re-seal applications run $1,000-3,000 on top of the build. Composite skips all of it. Over a 10-15 year ownership window, the total cost of the two materials often converges, and past that, composite usually wins outright.
Resale math from 2025 Cost vs Value data: a wood deck addition recoups about 95% of its cost at resale; composite recoups about 88%, but more absolute dollars, since the project cost is higher.
Macon-Bibb permit fees: the part nobody publishes. A building permit is required for construction over $2,500, nearly every real deck. The fee is calculated on the county's own valuation basis of $15 per square foot for unheated structures like decks, with a $35 minimum. Run the numbers: a 16x20 deck is 320 sq ft × $15 = $4,800 valuation, well under the escalation line. Permit fee: $35. One honest caveat: the county's schedule also lists a $150 plan-review submittal fee for some project classes, though the county's own accessory-structure guidance indicates plan review isn't charged for that category. Budget the permit paperwork at $35-185 all-in. We handle the process as part of every build. Full walkthrough →
Deck Cost Estimator
Adjust the inputs for a rough estimate. This is not a bid, it's a starting point for the conversation.
Getting quotes: how to compare bids
Get at least three written, itemized bids for the same scope, same size, same material, same railing spec. A trustworthy bid breaks out decking, framing, footings, railing, stairs, and demo separately. Red flags worth walking away from: cash-only terms, verbal-only estimates, a demand for full payment up front, and a price dramatically below the others.
What does a 12x16 deck cost in Macon?
Roughly $3,900-6,700 in pressure-treated wood or $6,700-10,500 in composite, installed, for a straightforward single-level build.
Is composite really worth double the price of wood?
It's not double once you count maintenance. Over 10-15 years the totals converge.
How much is a deck permit in Macon-Bibb County?
Usually just $35, the county's minimum fee. The permit process itself is the real investment, and we handle it as part of the project.
Does a deck add value to my home?
Yes. 2025 national data puts wood deck additions at about 95% of cost recouped at resale.
Why do two bids for the same deck differ by thousands?
Almost always railing tier, footing scope, or lumber grade. Make every bidder break those out.
When is the cheapest time to build?
Late fall through winter. Crews are less booked, and your deck is ready the day spring arrives.
Get your real number
Ranges are for planning. Quotes are for deciding.