A new deck is one of the best ways to add living space and value to your home — and with Central Illinois summers made for grilling, relaxing, and entertaining outdoors, it’s no surprise it’s one of the most popular projects homeowners ask us about. The first question is almost always the same: what’s this going to cost?
The honest answer is that it depends on several factors. But you don’t have to guess. Here’s a clear breakdown of what goes into the price of a custom deck in Springfield, so you can budget with confidence.
The Short Answer
For most homeowners in Springfield and the surrounding Central Illinois area, a new custom deck runs roughly $10,000 to $30,000 or more. That’s a wide range, and where your project lands within it comes down to a handful of key choices — size, materials, design complexity, and features.
Let’s walk through what moves the needle.
What Affects the Cost of a Deck
1. Size and Square Footage
The bigger the deck, the more materials and labor required. A compact platform for a bistro set sits at the lower end; a large deck built for entertaining a crowd will cost more. Square footage is usually the single biggest cost driver.
2. Material: Wood vs. Composite
This is the choice that most affects your budget — both up front and over time.
- Pressure-treated wood has a lower upfront cost and a classic look. The trade-off is ongoing maintenance: staining, sealing, and the occasional board replacement as the years go by.
- Composite decking costs more initially but is virtually maintenance-free — no painting, staining, or sealing — and resists rot, warping, and fading. Many composite boards carry 25–50 year manufacturer warranties, which often makes them the better long-term value.
3. Design Complexity
A simple single-level rectangle is the most budget-friendly. Costs rise with multi-level designs, wraparound layouts, curves, built-in benches, and custom railings — all of which add materials and labor.
4. Features and Add-Ons
Stairs, railings, privacy screens, deck lighting, and built-in seating all add to the total. Covered decks and porch conversions — great for getting year-round use out of your space in Illinois weather — are a larger investment but dramatically extend how often you’ll actually use the deck.
5. Site Prep and Tear-Out
If you’re replacing an old deck, removing and disposing of it is part of the job. So is proper site preparation — new footings and framing built to current code. At Sutton’s, we don’t build new decking over old piers or substructures, because reusing questionable framing creates safety and liability problems down the road. A deck built right from the ground up costs a bit more than a patch job, but it’s the difference between a structure you can trust and one you have to worry about.
Why “Cheapest” Isn’t the Goal
A deck is a structure that holds people up off the ground — sometimes a lot of people. Cutting corners on footings, framing, or installation is exactly where decks fail. A properly built, code-compliant deck protects your family and holds its value for decades, which is why every Sutton’s deck is built from the footings up and backed by our two-year workmanship guarantee, on top of manufacturer warranties on the materials.
Getting an Accurate Number for Your Home
Every yard and every home is different, so the only way to get a real figure is a proper estimate. Sutton’s makes that easy: we start with a free consultation at your home, talk through your ideas and how you want to use the space, and — if you decide to move forward — provide a custom design with a 3D rendering so you can see your new deck before construction begins. Financing options are available for qualified homeowners, too.
Ready to find out what your dream deck would cost? Call Sutton’s at (217) 528-3911 or request a free deck estimate online. We’ve been building outdoor living spaces for Central Illinois families since 1946 — and we’d love to build yours.
