Deck bids built board by board
Decks look simple until you price hidden fasteners, railing systems, stair stringers, and the extra labor of elevated work. Bid Buddy breaks out every component so your bid matches the real job.
Bid Buddy AI
BetaYour hands-free estimating buddy.
Hi! I'm Bid Buddy, your AI bidding assistant. I'll guide you step by step through your bid. You don't need bidding experience. Just answer a few questions and together we'll build a professional bid.
Your bid
Your bid is calculated as total cost ÷ (1 − margin) for a true margin.
Total job cost
$23,000.00
Recommended bid
$28,750.00
Profit
$5,750.00
Margin
20%
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Elevation & access
A deck 8 feet off the ground takes longer than one at walk-out. Add staging, ladder time, and safety gear.
Decking material tier
Pressure-treated, cedar, composite, and PVC can be 2–4× apart in material cost. Let the customer pick, then price each.
Railing & stairs
Wood, aluminum, glass, and cable railing systems vary widely. Price per linear foot and per stair run.
Footings & permits
Most jurisdictions require permits and inspections for decks. Line-item footings, hardware, and permit fees.
Markup & margin for deck
Deck builders commonly mark materials up 30–45% and price labor by the square foot or by the day. Aim for 20–30% net margin after overhead, permits, and callback reserves.
Line items to include in every deck bid
- Permit & inspection
- Footings & posts
- Framing lumber & hardware
- Decking material
- Hidden fasteners
- Railing system
- Stairs & stringers
- Lighting & accessories
- Labor (framing + finish)
- Cleanup & final walkthrough
Frequently asked questions
Guides that go deeper
The calculator gives you the number. These walk through where each number comes from.
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