Planning a deck in Portsmouth or anywhere in Scioto County, the first question is always the same: what is it going to cost? Short answer for 2026: a pressure-treated wood deck runs $30 to $45 per square foot installed here, and composite runs $50 to $70. Below are the real numbers, the permit rules, and what pushes a quote up or down. Hoover Housing Solutions builds decks across Scioto County. Call (740) 357-9020 for a free estimate.
Deck Cost Per Square Foot in Portsmouth, Ohio
Local labor and material prices put Portsmouth below the big-city Ohio averages, which is good news. Pressure-treated wood lands at $30 to $45 per square foot installed. Composite decking lands at $50 to $70 per square foot installed, with premium brands and railing packages at the top of that range. Those figures include footers, framing, decking, basic railing, and haul-off.
What Common Deck Sizes Actually Cost
A 12×16 deck (192 square feet) in pressure-treated wood typically runs $6,000 to $8,500 here. The same deck in composite runs $9,500 to $13,500. A larger 16×20 deck (320 square feet) runs $9,500 to $14,500 in wood and $16,000 to $22,500 in composite. Stairs, wrap-around sections, and a second level add to those totals.
Do You Need a Permit for a Deck in Scioto County?
Usually yes. Under the Ohio Residential Code, a deck needs a building permit if it is attached to the house, more than 30 inches above grade, larger than 200 square feet, or serves the exit door. Most backyard decks are attached and accessed from a back door, so most projects here need one. We pull the permit and schedule inspections as part of the job, so you do not have to deal with the county office. More on that in our guide to renovation permits in Portsmouth.
Wood vs Composite: Which Costs Less Long Term
Wood wins on day one and composite usually wins by year ten. A wood deck in southern Ohio needs cleaning and re-staining every two to three years to survive our humidity and freeze-thaw cycles, and boards still need replacing over time. Composite costs more up front but skips the staining and lasts decades. If you plan to stay in the house, composite is worth pricing out. See our breakdown of the best deck materials for Ohio weather and our composite decking service.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
Height is the big one. A ground-level deck is cheap to frame, while a walk-out deck on a sloped lot needs taller posts, longer stairs, and more railing. Other cost drivers: tearing out an old deck, clay soil that slows footer digging, upgraded railing (aluminum or cable), built-in benches, and lighting. A simple rectangle close to grade is the most deck for the money.
How Long a Deck Build Takes
Once footers pass inspection, a typical 12×16 deck goes up in 3 to 5 working days. Larger or multi-level decks run 1 to 2 weeks. Spring slots fill fast in Scioto County, so if you want a deck by summer, get on the schedule in late winter.
Want a real number for your yard instead of a range? Hoover Housing Solutions gives free written estimates across Portsmouth, Wheelersburg, Lucasville, Minford, and all of Scioto County. Call (740) 357-9020 or visit hooverhousingsolutions.com. See our deck and patio services or the full contracting lineup.
In 2026, pressure-treated wood decks run $30 to $45 per square foot installed in the Portsmouth area, and composite decks run $50 to $70. A 12×16 wood deck typically totals $6,000 to $8,500.
Most decks need a permit. Ohio requires one if the deck is attached to the house, over 200 square feet, more than 30 inches above grade, or serves the exit door. HHS pulls the permit for you.
If you plan to stay in the home, usually yes. Composite skips the re-staining wood needs every two to three years in southern Ohio and lasts decades, so the lifetime cost gap narrows fast.
A typical 12×16 deck takes 3 to 5 working days after footers pass inspection. Larger or multi-level decks take 1 to 2 weeks.
Height above grade, stairs, old deck tear-out, upgraded railing, built-ins, and lighting. A simple rectangular deck close to the ground gives you the most square footage per dollar.