CostInMyCity

Houston, TX / Deck

Deck cost in Houston, TX

Typical cost: $13,735 (range $9,163 to $18,277)

Typical all-in

$13,735

Job cost plus the local permit fee at this size.

Low
$9,163
Typical
$13,735
High
$18,277

Walking surface only. A 16 by 20 deck is 320 sqft.

Breakdown

Labor (allocated)$6,739
Materials (allocated)$6,739
Job subtotal$13,478
Permit$257.44
All-in typical$13,735

Labor is adjusted for construction wages in this metro. Materials stay at the national figure. This is an estimate, not a contractor quote.

A typical attached deck we price is 16×20 (320 sf).

A typical deck in Houston, TX is about $13,735, including a permit fee of $257.44.

What we assumed

We price Deck in Houston, TX at 16×20 = 320 sf.

For the permit line we assumed the official Type VB area paths, so the low fee is $177.04 (200 sf: $143.48 + $33.56 admin), the typical fee is $257.44 (16x20 = 320 sf: $223.88 + $33.56), and the high fee is $305.68 (400 sf: $272.12 + $33.56). The high is not added on top of the typical. There is no 20% remodel discount. HPC uncovered decks at 30 inches or less, and Houston IRC R105.2, are not the official typical path. Full arithmetic is in the calculation note on this page. Listed valuations are $8,000 low, $12,000 typical, and $19,200 high. Those valuations are unused because the fee is area-based. The official typical project value is $12,000.

Cost details

Cost by size

SizeAll-in typicalPermit
200 sf$8,681$257.44
16×20 = 320 sf (typical)$13,735$257.44
400 sf$17,105$257.44

All-in at this size, adjusted for local wages. The permit is the city fee when the schedule lists one.

What moves the price

What changes the total

  • Size is the deck surface area. The size table lists the low, typical, and high.
  • Labor for Deck in Houston, TX is adjusted for local construction wages.
  • The permit fee on the typical job is $257.44. The permit section on this page has the schedule detail.

Compare deck across metros

All-in at the typical job size, adjusted for local wages. The permit is the city fee when the schedule lists one.
CityAll-in typicalPermitOpen
Charlotte, NC$13,704$182.41Open
Seattle, WA$17,907$1,059Open
Denver, CO$14,933$172.50Open
Nashville, TN$13,843$91Open
Atlanta, GA$13,855$175Open
Austin, TX$14,041$577.39Open
Phoenix, AZ$14,585$646Open
Tucson, AZ$13,657$337.49Open
Portland, OR$16,332$102.69Open
Raleigh, NC$13,784$248Open
Tacoma, WA$17,369$521Open
St. Louis, MO$15,467$145Open

Other home projects in Houston, TX

All-in at the typical job size, adjusted for local wages. The permit is the city fee when the schedule lists one.
JobAll-in typicalPermitOpen
Roof replacement$9,166$230.78Open
HVAC replacement$7,446$230.56Open
Deck$13,735$257.44This page
Kitchen remodel$29,165$124.62Open

Questions about this estimate

How much does deck cost in Houston, TX?
Typical all-in is about $13,735. The official local permit fee of $257.44 (Type VB new-construction at 320 sf plus the administrative fee) is included in the all-in.
Is a permit required for Deck in Houston, TX?
Yes. Houston Permitting Center (Building Code Enforcement) requires a permit for a typical Deck in Houston, TX. The typical listed fee is $257.44. A typical attached deck more than 30 inches above grade is the official Type VB path, and the typical fee on that path is $257.44. HPC uncovered decks at 30 inches or less, and Houston IRC R105.2, are not the typical path.
What is included in this Deck estimate for Houston, TX?
The estimate is labor adjusted for local wages in Houston, TX, plus materials at the national figure, at the typical size in the table above. The official typical permit fee of $257.44 is included in the all-in typical. The $223.88 Type VB new-construction line and the $33.56 administrative fee are included in that $257.44. The $305.68 path at 400 sf is the official high and is not added on top of the typical. The $177.04 path at 200 sf is the official low and is not the typical.
Why might the Houston permit fee differ from this typical figure?
The official Houston, TX fee comes from City of Houston 2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule Type VB p. 8; HPC Plan Review exemptions; Houston IRC R105.2 (area). The typical path is $257.44 on the documented 320 sf deck ($223.88 + $33.56). The low fee is $177.04 and the high fee is $305.68. The high is not added on top of the typical. HPC and Houston IRC R105.2 exempt paths are not the official typical totals. Full detail is in the calculation note on this page. Verify the fee with Houston Permitting Center (Building Code Enforcement).
How is the typical permit fee calculated for Deck in Houston, TX?
The official typical path is $257.44: Type VB new-construction at 320 sf ($223.88) plus the $33.56 administrative fee. Low is $177.04 at 200 sf ($143.48 + $33.56). High is $305.68 at 400 sf ($272.12 + $33.56). The walk is in the calculation note on this page.
What project value is this Deck permit fee based on in Houston, TX?
The official typical project value is $12,000. Assumed valuations are $8,000 low, $12,000 typical, and $19,200 high. Fees are area-based, not valuation-driven, so those amounts are unused. The low fee is $177.04 at 200 sf, the typical fee is $257.44 at 320 sf, and the high fee is $305.68 at 400 sf.

Permit in Houston

Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026

Houston Permitting Center (Building Code Enforcement) lists a typical permit fee of $257.44 for this Deck in Houston, TX (range $177.04 – $305.68). Source: City of Houston 2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule Type VB p. 8; HPC Plan Review exemptions; Houston IRC R105.2.

Typical attached deck >30 in. needs a permit. Exempt if uncovered, ≤30 in., not over a story/basement (HPC list) or ≤200 sf, ≤30 in., not attached, not serving the required exit (R105.2). New accessory uses FULL Type VB new-construction table by deck sf (not 20%) + $33.56 admin. Assumed valuations $8k/$12k/$19.2k kept for dataset consistency; fees use documented 16×20 (320 sf) typical.

City of Houston 2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule Type VB p. 8; HPC Plan Review exemptions; Houston IRC R105.2 (source retrieved 2026-09-01). The official typical path is a Type VB new-construction deck at the documented 16x20 size of 320 sf. Type VB Tier 2, after the first 57.16 sf, is $47 + $5.36 × ceil((sf-57.16)/8.17). The administrative fee of $33.56 is added on every permit. There is no 20% remodel discount on this new-accessory path. The fee is based on square footage. A permit is required on that typical path. The low fee is $177.04, the typical fee is $257.44, and the high fee is $305.68. The official typical project value is $12,000. Listed assumed valuations are $8,000 low, $12,000 typical, and $19,200 high. Those valuations are kept for dataset consistency. Fees are area-based, not valuation-driven, so the $8,000, $12,000, and $19,200 amounts are unused and do not change the official $177.04, $257.44, and $305.68 fees. Documented deck sizes are 200 sf low, 320 sf typical, and 400 sf high. Low 200 sf: valuation is unused, so the low fee stays $177.04. Tier 2 is $47 + $5.36 × ceil((200-57.16)/8.17). (200-57.16)/8.17 ceils to 18. $5.36 × 18 = $96.48. $47 + $96.48 = $143.48. Add the administrative fee: $143.48 + $33.56 = $177.04, so the low fee is $177.04. Typical 320 sf: valuation is unused, so the typical fee stays $257.44. The documented typical deck is 16x20 = 320 sf. ceil((320-57.16)/8.17) = 33. $47 + $5.36 × 33 = $223.88. Add the administrative fee: $223.88 + $33.56 = $257.44, so the typical fee is $257.44. The official extra for Type VB new-construction (typical 320 sf) is $223.88 and is included in the typical total. It is not added again. The administrative fee of $33.56 is included in that total and is not added again. High 400 sf: valuation is unused, so the high fee stays $305.68. ceil((400-57.16)/8.17) = 42. $47 + $5.36 × 42 = $272.12. Add the administrative fee: $272.12 + $33.56 = $305.68, so the high fee is $305.68. The $305.68 high is not added on top of the $257.44 typical. A typical attached deck more than 30 inches above grade needs a permit. The HPC Plan Review exemptions cover an uncovered deck at 30 inches or less that is not over a story or basement. Houston IRC R105.2 covers a deck of 200 sf or less, 30 inches or less, not attached to the dwelling, and not serving the required exit. Those exempt paths are not the official typical totals. They are not the low fee, the typical fee, or the high fee, and this note does not add a $0 line. The official typical path stays the Type VB new-construction total of $257.44 at 320 sf. The official low stays the 200 sf Type VB total of $177.04. The official high stays the 400 sf Type VB total of $305.68. This note does not invent a fee beyond the official $177.04, $257.44, and $305.68 totals.

Line items

Figures come from the city fee schedule. A blank line is not published as a dollar amount.
Line itemFee
Administrative fee$33.56
Type VB new-construction (typical 320 sf)$223.88

Assumed project value

Listed on this row only. Valuation is not an input on the Type VB area table, so these amounts are unused and the official fees stay $177.04, $257.44, and $305.68.
BandAssumed project value
Low$8,000
Typical$12,000
High$19,200

Process

Does a typical Deck in Houston, TX need a permit?
A typical Deck in Houston, TX is listed as requiring a permit. Typical attached deck >30 in. needs a permit.
Who issues the permit in Houston, TX, and where do I apply?
Houston Permitting Center (Building Code Enforcement) issues permits for Deck in Houston, TX. Apply at https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/.
Are any permit exemptions listed for Deck in Houston, TX?
Exempt if uncovered, ≤30 in., not over a story/basement (HPC list) or ≤200 sf, ≤30 in., not attached, not serving the required exit (R105.2).
What extra fees or surcharges are listed for Deck in Houston, TX?
The official permit lists these extra line items for Deck in Houston, TX: Administrative fee: $33.56; Type VB new-construction (typical 320 sf): $223.88.

Schedule FAQ

Which official schedule is this Deck fee based on in Houston, TX?
The official typical for Deck in Houston, TX cites City of Houston 2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule Type VB p. 8; HPC Plan Review exemptions; Houston IRC R105.2 (retrieved Sep 1, 2026). Fee model: area.
What local fee-schedule notes are on file for Deck in Houston, TX?
2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule (CPI +1.3910% Jan 1, 2026). Admin $33.56; most permits min $91.06.
Why does the Deck permit fee in Houston, TX show a low-to-high range?
Listed permit fees for Deck in Houston, TX are $177.04 low, $257.44 typical, and $305.68 high. Low is Type VB Tier 2 at 200 sf ($143.48 + $33.56 admin). Typical is Type VB at 320 sf ($223.88 + $33.56). High is Type VB at 400 sf ($272.12 + $33.56). There is no 20% remodel discount. Valuation is unused. HPC uncovered decks at 30 inches or less, and Houston IRC R105.2, are not the official typical path. Full arithmetic is in the calculation note on this page.

Citations

  1. How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck? [2026 Data] Retrieved Aug 13, 2026. Average $8,316; $4,340–$12,652; $30–$60/sf; labor $15–$35/sf.
  2. City of Houston 2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule Type VB p. 8; HPC Plan Review exemptions; Houston IRC R105.2 Retrieved Sep 1, 2026.
  3. BLS OEWS construction wages – Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX BLS OEWS construction-and-extraction mean hourly wage / national same vintage, applied to the labor share only. Not a city-specific bid survey.

Cite this page

Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026

CostInMyCity. "Deck cost in Houston, TX." https://costinmycity.com/cost/deck/houston-tx/. Fee schedule retrieved Sep 1, 2026. Source: City of Houston 2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule Type VB p. 8; HPC Plan Review exemptions; Houston IRC R105.2.

City of Houston 2026 BCE Permit Fee Schedule Type VB p. 8; HPC Plan Review exemptions; Houston IRC R105.2

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