If you’ve started getting quotes for a new deck in Conway, you’ve probably noticed the estimates vary more than you expected. A deck that costs $8,000 from one contractor comes back at $18,000 from another — and both quotes might be completely reasonable depending on what’s included.
Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what deck projects actually cost in Central Arkansas in 2026, what drives the price up or down, and what to watch for when comparing bids.
The Short Answer: What Decks Cost in Conway
For most residential deck projects in the Conway area, here’s a realistic range:
| Deck Type | Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pressure-treated wood | 10×12 (120 sq ft) | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Mid-range wood or composite | 12×16 (192 sq ft) | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| Large composite or multi-level | 16×20+ (320+ sq ft) | $15,000 – $30,000+ |
These are installed costs including materials and labor. They don’t include permits (more on that below) or optional add-ons like built-in seating, lighting, or a pergola.
What Drives the Price
1. Size
This one’s obvious but worth stating: deck pricing is typically quoted per square foot, so size is the biggest single factor. Expect to pay roughly $25–$55 per square foot for a basic wood deck and $45–$85 per square foot for composite, fully installed in Central Arkansas.
2. Material Choice
This is where the biggest cost differences show up — and where the long-term math matters most.
Pressure-treated lumber is the most affordable upfront. It’s what most budget decks are built from. The tradeoff: it needs regular maintenance (staining or sealing every 2-3 years) and has a shorter lifespan than composite in Arkansas’s humidity and heat.
Composite decking (brands like Trex, TimberTech, Azek) costs significantly more upfront — often 2x the material cost of treated lumber — but requires almost no maintenance and holds up better to Arkansas summers. For most homeowners planning to stay in their home 10+ years, the math tends to favor composite once you factor in maintenance costs.
Cedar and redwood fall somewhere in between: more attractive than pressure-treated, less maintenance-heavy, but harder to source locally and typically priced closer to entry-level composite.
3. Height and Complexity
A ground-level deck over flat yard is straightforward. A second-story deck, a deck over a sloped yard, or anything requiring significant structural work (tall posts, additional footings, stairs with multiple landings) adds cost fast. Multi-level designs can add 30–50% to the base price.
4. Permits
In Conway, most deck projects require a building permit. Permit costs are relatively modest — typically $150–$400 depending on project size — but they add time to the timeline and some contractors handle permitting themselves while others leave it to the homeowner. Always ask upfront who’s pulling the permit.
A legitimate contractor will always build to code and support the permit process. If a contractor suggests skipping permits to save money, that’s a red flag — unpermitted decks create problems when you sell your home and can affect your homeowner’s insurance.
5. Add-Ons
The base deck quote often doesn’t include items that end up on most homeowners’ wish lists:
- Built-in benches or planters: $500–$2,000
- Pergola or shade structure: $3,000–$8,000
- Deck lighting: $500–$1,500
- Privacy screening or lattice: $400–$1,200
- Steps and railings: Often quoted separately, especially for elevated decks
Get clarity on what’s included in the base quote before comparing bids.
How to Compare Deck Quotes
When you’re getting bids — and you should get at least three — make sure each quote specifies:
- Exact materials (brand, grade, and treatment of lumber or composite)
- Footing depth and type (this affects structural integrity, especially on sloped lots)
- Who handles permits
- What’s included in cleanup and debris removal
- Payment schedule (be cautious of contractors requiring more than 30-40% upfront)
Bids that come in significantly lower than others usually mean something — different materials, shallower footings, or skipping permits. Ask what’s different before assuming you found a deal.
Best Time to Book a Deck Project in Conway
Summer is peak season for deck builders in Central Arkansas, which means the best contractors book up fast. If you’re hoping to have a deck done by July 4th, you needed to call in April. If you’re reading this in late spring, you’re likely looking at a late summer or early fall completion with most established contractors.
The good news: fall is actually ideal timing for a new deck. Cooler temperatures mean better conditions for concrete footings to cure, and you’ll often get better contractor availability and potentially better pricing. A deck built in September is ready for next summer’s cookouts.
Ready to Get Quotes?
Browse top-rated deck builders in Conway & Central Arkansas — ranked by Google review count, with website and contact status verified. Each listing notes whether a contractor has an active web presence so you’re not chasing down dead phone numbers.
Getting at least three quotes is always worth the time on a project this size. The directory makes it easier to find who’s actually active and established in your area before you start making calls.