Canadian Carpenter's Pricing Guide: Decks, Fences, and Outdoor Structures

Outdoor carpentry in Canada means working with short seasons and fluctuating material costs.

Here's how to quote decks, fences, and outdoor structures profitably across Canadian conditions.

Understanding Canadian Regional Differences

Material Cost Variations

Lumber prices vary significantly by province:

• BC: Access to local cedar, lower softwood costs
• Ontario: Higher transport costs, premium on cedar
• Quebec: Good softwood availability, French documentation required
• Prairies: Limited local supply, higher freight costs
• Atlantic: Import-dependent, highest material costs

Seasonal Work Windows

• **BC Coast**: Year-round possible (rain delays)
• **Southern Ontario**: April-November (6-7 months)
• **Prairies**: May-October (5-6 months)
• **Quebec**: May-October (5-6 months)
• **Atlantic**: May-October (5-6 months)

Labour Rate Benchmarks (2024)

• Vancouver: $45-65/hour
• Toronto/GTA: $50-70/hour
• Calgary/Edmonton: $45-60/hour
• Montreal: $40-55/hour
• Halifax: $35-50/hour

Deck Quoting: Complete Breakdown

Site Assessment Checklist

• [ ] Access for material delivery
• [ ] Slope and drainage
• [ ] Existing structures to remove
• [ ] Underground utilities
• [ ] Permit requirements
• [ ] HOA restrictions (if applicable)

Deck Components to Quote

Substructure

• Footings (sonotubes, concrete, post brackets)
• Posts (pressure-treated, steel)
• Beams (size based on span)
• Joists (spacing: 12" or 16" OC)
• Blocking and bridging
• Joist hangers and hardware

Decking Surface

• Pressure-treated lumber: $3-5/sq ft material
• Cedar: $6-10/sq ft material
• Composite: $8-15/sq ft material
• Exotic hardwood: $12-20/sq ft material

Railings

• Wood railings: $30-50/linear ft installed
• Aluminum railings: $50-80/linear ft installed
• Glass railings: $150-300/linear ft installed
• Cable railings: $80-120/linear ft installed

Stairs

• Standard stairs: $100-150/step
• Wide stairs: $150-250/step
• Curved stairs: Custom quote

Labour Calculation Method

Per Square Foot Method

• Simple deck (ground level, rectangular): $15-25/sq ft labour
• Standard deck (elevated, basic shape): $25-40/sq ft labour
• Complex deck (multi-level, angles): $40-60/sq ft labour

Time-Based Method

• Footings: 2-4 hours per footing
• Framing: 1 sq ft per minute (experienced crew)
• Decking: 0.5-1 sq ft per minute
• Railings: 4-6 linear ft per hour
• Stairs: 2-3 hours per flight

Fence Quoting: Linear Foot Pricing

Fence Types and Pricing (Installed)

Pressure-Treated Wood

• 4' privacy fence: $25-35/linear ft
• 6' privacy fence: $35-50/linear ft
• 6' board-on-board: $45-60/linear ft

Cedar

• 4' privacy fence: $35-50/linear ft
• 6' privacy fence: $50-75/linear ft
• 6' board-on-board: $65-90/linear ft

Composite/Vinyl

• 6' privacy fence: $60-100/linear ft

Fence Quote Inclusions

• Post holes (depth varies by frost line)
• Concrete for posts
• Posts, rails, and boards
• Gates (quote separately)
• Removal of existing fence (if applicable)

Regional Frost Line Depths

• Vancouver: 18"
• Toronto: 48"
• Calgary: 48"
• Montreal: 54"
• Winnipeg: 60"

Deeper frost lines = more concrete = higher costs.

Pergola and Gazebo Quoting

Pergola Pricing Factors

• Size (footprint)
• Post material (wood, wrapped, aluminum)
• Beam and rafter sizing
• Roof covering (open, shade cloth, solid)
• Electrical (lighting, fans)
• Footings type

Pergola Price Ranges (Installed)

• 10x10 basic wood pergola: $3,000-5,000
• 12x14 cedar pergola: $6,000-10,000
• 12x16 with solid roof: $12,000-20,000
• Custom designs: $15,000+

Material Price Lock Clauses

Lumber prices fluctuate significantly. Protect yourself:

Price Validity Clause

"Material prices quoted are valid for 14 days from quote date. After this period, material costs will be requoted at current market rates."

Price Adjustment Clause

"If material costs increase by more than 10% between quote acceptance and material purchase, the difference will be passed on to the customer with documentation."

Deposit and Ordering

"A 50% deposit is required to order materials. Materials will be ordered within 5 business days of deposit receipt. Material costs are locked at time of order."

Permit and Code Considerations

When Permits Are Required

• Decks over 24" above grade (most jurisdictions)
• Attached structures
• Electrical work
• Structures over certain size thresholds

Quote Permit Costs Separately

"Permit fees: Allowance of $500. Actual permit fees will be charged at cost. Permit application and inspection coordination included in labour."

HST/GST Considerations

Tax Rates by Province

• BC: 5% GST + 7% PST = 12%
• Alberta: 5% GST only
• Ontario: 13% HST
• Quebec: 5% GST + 9.975% QST = 14.975%

Quote Presentation

Always show tax separately and clearly state which taxes apply.

Using QuoteOS for Canadian Carpentry Quotes

1. **Select project type** — Deck, fence, pergola
2. **Enter dimensions** — AI calculates materials
3. **Choose material grades** — PT, cedar, composite
4. **Add regional adjustments** — Labour rates, tax
5. **Generate bilingual quote** — English/French option

Try QuoteOS free → [Carpenter Quoting Software](/trades/carpenters)