Building a new deck is one of the best ways to upgrade your outdoor living space-but if  you’ve ever tried to price one out, you already know how confusing (and inconsistent) the  numbers can be. 

In Omaha especially, pricing can swing wildly depending on the contractor, the materials,  and the quality of work. And while many companies are quick to advertise “starting at”  prices or cookie-cutter packages, those numbers rarely reflect your actual total  investment. 

After building custom decks in Omaha for over 35 years, we’ve seen exactly where  homeowners get misled-and where surprise costs usually hide. Here’s the honest  breakdown most contractors and online “price guides” won’t tell you. 

1. “Starting Prices” Almost Never Apply to Real Projects

A lot of deck ads promote a low price to get the phone to ring. But those “starting at”  numbers are almost always based on: 

  • A small platform deck
  • Off-brand or pressure treated decking materials
  • Zero upgrades
  • Ideal site conditions
  • Pressure treated railings or no railings at all

In reality, most Omaha homeowners want a deck that: 

  • Is large enough to entertain
  • Uses a name-brand composite material
  • Includes railing, stairs, and fascia finishes
  • Is built to last 20-30 years

And those projects almost never match the teaser price. 

2. The Material You Choose Impacts the Cost More Than Anything

This is where many contractors stay vague-because material choices can make or break  the budget. Composite and PVC decking boards can run anywhere from $40 to $170 per 20 foot board and each brand has several price tiers.  

We break our most installed decking collections into 5 price tiers, all of which come with a  minimum 25-year warranty: 

  1. Entry-Level Composite decking: 
    • Fiberon Goodlife Collections: Weekender & Escapes 
    • DecKorators Venture Collection 
    • TimberTech Edge Prime+ 
  2. Value composite 
    • TimberTech Terrain 
    • Fiberon Sanctuary 
  3. Mid-Range Composite/ Entry Level PVC 
    • TimberTech Reserve 
    • TimberTech Advanced PVC Harvest 
  4. Premium Composite/ Mid-Range PVC  
    • TimberTech Legacy 
    • TimberTech Advanced PVC Harvest+ 
    • Fiberon Concordia 
  5. High End Composite & PVC 
    • TimberTech Advanced PVC Landmark & Vintage 
    • DecKorators Vault & Voyage 
    • Fiberon Paramount & Promenade 

At the end of the day a deck project can range in price by thousands of dollars depending  on the selected decking board alone without even accounting for railing and finish  upgrades.

3. Labor Costs Are Not All Created Equal

Some companies quote low labor rates because: 

  • They’re new 
  • They subcontract everything 
  • They don’t carry full insurance 
  • They build decks part-time 

Lower rates usually come with shortcuts: undersized framing, improperly flashed ledger  boards, or incorrect stair framing-all of which turn into expensive issues later. 

Specialized crews: 

  • Understand proper composite/PVC expansion and contraction tolerances
  • Know the specific fastening systems for each brand 
  • Can picture-frame, miter, and wrap fascia cleanly 
  • Design structurally sound stairs with proper stringer & riser spacing
  • Follow evolving code requirements for beam loads, footing sizes and joist spans
  • Build for Omaha’s weather extremes – not just for a sunny day 

This level of expertise is what makes a deck feel solid, look finished, and last decades. 

4. Hidden Costs That Cheap Contractors Leave Off Estimates

A transparent, accurate estimate should include details like:

  • Deck dimensions 
  • Material brand, collection and board colors 
  • Permits (often $150-$400 depending on jurisdiction) 
  • Demolition/disposal  
  • Concrete footings (size, depth, quantity) 
  • Flashing and hardware 
  • Railing brand, style and linear feet
  • Optional upgrades such as fascia, lighting and drink rail 

Some contractors leave these out intentionally so their upfront price looks lower, then add  charges as the project goes on. 

We build every deck like it’s our own, so we design the estimate to reflect the actual  finished deck, not a stripped-down version. 

5. Your “All-In” Price Depends on Your Vision

To give you a realistic expectation, here are real-world prices for five professionally built  composite decks in our area: 

DECK 1: 160 Square Feet 

  • TimberTech Terrain Composite Decking 
  • Westbury Tuscany Style Aluminum Railing 
  • One set of stairs with 6 rises 
  • No Upgrades 

Total: $15K 

DECK 2: 210 Square Feet  

  • TimberTech Reserve Composite Decking 
  • Westbury Tuscany Style Aluminum Railing 
  • Two Sets of Stairs with 5 Rises Each 
  • No Upgrades 

Total: $20K 

DECK 3: 246 Square Feet  

  • TimberTech Edge Prime+ Composite Decking 
  • Westbury Tuscany Style Aluminum Railing 
  • One Set of Stairs with 16 Rises 
  • Upgrades: Partial Fascia Finishes 

Total: $29K 

DECK 4: 328 Square Feet 

  • TimberTech Legacy Composite Decking 
  • Westbury Tuscany Style Aluminum Railing 
  • One Set of Stairs with 16 Rises 
  • Upgrades: Full Fascia Finishes, Gate, Lighting & Drink Rail 

Total: $42K 

DECK 5: 538 Square Feet 

  • TimberTech Legacy Composite Decking 
  • Westbury Verticable Style Aluminum Railing 
  • One Set of Stairs with 6 Rises 
  • Upgrades: Full Fascia Finishes & Lighting  

Total: $58K 

If a contractor gives you a price drastically below these numbers-something is being left  out. 

6. Winter or “Slow Season Discounts” Can Mean a Company Has Been  Inflating Their Prices the Rest of the Year 

Some contractors in Omaha offer winter specials or “slow season” discounts to keep their  crews busy. It sounds appealing on the surface, but here’s the truth: discounting labor  usually means they were overcharging to begin with. 

At Mike Jansen Custom Decks, we don’t play that game. 

We believe every homeowner deserves our best price, every month of the year, not just  when business is slow or the weather turns cold. Our pricing is built on fairness,  consistency, and the actual cost of doing things the right way – not on seasonal sales  tactics. 

Your project shouldn’t cost more just because you happen to call in June. 

We don’t inflate summer pricing to make room for winter discounts. 

We don’t pressure customers with “limited-time” offers. 

We don’t change our standards when our schedule is full or when it’s light. Whether you book in January or July, you’ll receive:

  • The same high-quality craftsmanship 
  • The same level of care and detail 
  • The same transparent pricing 
  • The same expert crew 
  • The same materials, warranties, and long-term value 

Your investment deserves reliability, not a guessing game. 

By offering our best price all year, you always know: 

  • You aren’t overpaying. 
  • You aren’t being rushed. 
  • You aren’t being “sold” into a quick slow-season job. 
  • You’re getting the same craftsmanship we’d put into our own homes.

Our name is on every deck – and our pricing reflects that. 

We build every deck like it’s our own, and that means: 

  • No gimmicks.
  • No seasonal markups.
  • No surprise discounts that only exist because the original price was inflated.

Just honest, consistent pricing backed by decades of experience.

7. The Cost of a Deck Is Really the Cost of Not Worrying About It Later

When most homeowners think about deck pricing, they focus on the number on the  estimate. But the real cost of a deck isn’t what you pay upfront – it’s what you avoid paying  over the next 5, 10, or 20 years. And that’s the part many contractors leave out. 

A well-built deck should be something you enjoy, not something you constantly monitor,  repair, or worry about. The investment you make in quality materials and experienced labor  directly determines how much peace of mind you’ll have down the road. 

A solid, well-built deck: 

  • Adds real resale value
  • Stays safe and stable
  • Handles Omaha weather extremes
  • Maintains its appearance for decades
  • Ages evenly and resists fading or warping

You’re not just buying a deck, you’re buying years of not having to think about it. 

The Real Cost Comes Down to This

When it’s all said and done, the real cost of a deck isn’t the number on the estimate, it’s the  quality, safety, and longevity you’re buying. Anyone can throw out a square-foot price or  offer a seasonal “deal.” But a deck that’s built right, with the right materials, by people who  specialize in decks every day? 

That’s where the value actually is. 

At Mike Jansen Custom Decks, we don’t chase the cheapest bid or cut corners to win a job.  We build every deck like it’s our own – with honesty, consistency, and craftsmanship that  holds up long after the last board is installed. 

If you’re investing in a deck, invest in one that lasts. 

You deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing it was built right the first time.