Deck Builders in San Francisco

Angi's San Francisco data, updated August 2026, puts most deck projects in the city between roughly $6,900 and $19,900 all-in, with an average near $13,400. New construction runs about $49 to $97 per square foot, also all-in.

Per square foot, the decking material alone costs $3 to $8 for pressure-treated lumber, $5 to $11 for cedar, $19 to $36 for composite, and $8 to $57 for redwood.

Engineering and permits put a custom deck above those citywide averages, and steep yards, tight garage access, or a deck a story up on posts push it higher. Roof decks sit at the top of the range, carrying structural and waterproofing work a yard deck never needs.

Our own contract covers labor and rough materials, with finish materials bought by the homeowner, and your itemized quote shows which side each line falls on.

Any deck with part of its walking surface more than 30 inches above grade needs a building permit. Past 3 feet, Planning reviews it too. Lower decks lose the exemption if they sit over a room or form part of an exit, which a deck off your back door can do.

Over-the-counter approval usually works for a deck on posts under 10 feet tall, inside the buildable area, and about 3 feet back from property lines.

Neighbor notice got narrower when the Constraints Reduction Ordinance took effect in 2024. A deck within the Planning Code's permitted-obstruction limits needs none, and outside the Priority Equity Geographies, horizontal additions no longer trigger Section 311 notice. A roof stair penthouse still triggers it, as do some decks inside those geographies under the current notification rules. A deck past the rear-yard limits needs a variance, with its own public notice.

Most straightforward rear-yard decks clear quickly. Which path yours takes gets decided early, in design. We check your property, prepare the package, and answer the city's comments.

The permit path sets the length of a San Francisco deck project more than the build does. Keeping the design inside the over-the-counter limits is the surest way to shorten it. Over-the-counter permits are reviewed in person at the Permit Center, sometimes over more than one visit. A deck that triggers neighbor notice waits out the 30-day period and may need a pre-application meeting before filing. If a neighbor requests Discretionary Review, expect months more.

Construction runs roughly two to six weeks for a standard rear-yard deck. Roof decks and tall decks on posts take longer, with more framing and more inspections.

If you're working toward a date, mention it at the first visit, and we'll plan design and filing backward from it.

The Sunset and Richmond sit in fog for much of the year, homes near Ocean Beach take salt spray too, and protected slopes on the east side get strong afternoon sun.

Redwood and cedar have natural rot resistance and the classic California look, though they need sealing on a schedule. Composite and PVC boards cost more up front and hold up in the fog belt with little upkeep beyond cleaning. We install Trex and other composite decking for owners who want to skip refinishing. Under every option, the framing is pressure-treated lumber.

Dry rot is the failure we design against first. Flashing at the ledger, drainage, and airflow under the boards get as much attention as the surface. Our decking recommendation follows the microclimate your property sits in.