Building your own pool deck saves thousands by eliminating labor costs—you only pay for materials. Use NailIt to estimate the exact materials you'll need for concrete, pavers, composite decking, or wood, and get accurate 2026 pricing for your project.
Estimated DIY materials cost for total materials for typical 20×16 ft pool deck — you supply the labor. Prices vary by region and brand.
Across the full range this works out to $4.69–$27 per sq ft, depending on material grade and how much waste you plan for.
Here is the arithmetic, so you can redo it with your own numbers: a typical project here is 320 sq ft and runs $1,500–$8,500 in materials. Divide the middle of that cost range by the middle of the area range ($4,200 ÷ 320 sq ft) and you get $13 per sq ft. Measure your own space, multiply, and you have your materials budget.
Materials only — labour is not included. See what a contractor charges below.
A handy DIYer can usually take this on; if it needs permits or systems you are unsure about, get a pro quote first. The pro figure is a rough rule of thumb (labor on jobs like this often runs 1–2.5× the materials) — always get real quotes. It is not a NailIt estimate.
NailIt estimates materials only, so here is the honest version of the labour question rather than a number we cannot stand behind. Installed, this job commonly lands somewhere around $3,000–$29,750 — that is the materials range above with labour applied at the rough 1–2.5× multiplier trades typically work to on jobs like this. It is a sanity check for reading a quote, not a NailIt estimate and not a substitute for a real one.
What actually moves that number: your region and local labour rates, access and prep work, whether a permit and inspection are involved, disposal of the old material, and how much the crew has to work around your schedule. For this project the DIY route is realistic for most homeowners, and the labour saving is the whole point. Always collect three written quotes from licensed, insured contractors and compare what each one includes — how we handle pricing.
Pool Deck — DIY materials checklist · asknailitai.com
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No. NailIt shows materials only, because you're doing the work yourself. Labor savings are your biggest advantage—typically 40–60% of contractor quotes.
Concrete is usually the most budget-friendly at $4–8 per sq ft in materials. Pavers and wood cost more per sq ft but offer design flexibility and durability.
Measure from your pool edge outward. Most codes require 4–6 ft of deck space for safety and access. A 20×16 ft deck (320 sq ft) is typical for a residential pool.
Free AI breakdown for your exact pool deck — materials, costs, tools, steps, and where to buy them.
⚡ Start your free estimate →Estimates are AI-generated 2026 US DIY materials costs (labor not included); actual prices vary by region, brand, and size. · All 141 projects