By Gene and Katie Hamilton

A deck is one of the most popular additions to a house because it expands the living space by incorporating the yard and garden into an outdoor room. Whether you read a book, take a nap, dine al fresco or simply enjoy the pleasure of being outdoors, a deck will become your favorite place. While a deck made of cedar is more expensive than other woods, its rich color complements any style of architecture, and its natural preservatives help to withstand insects and nasty weather conditions.

To build a basic 12-foot-by-15-foot ground level deck made of mid-grade cedar, a contractor will charge $3,960, which includes labor and material. If you’re an experienced carpenter and have the tools, you can buy the decking materials and fasteners for $1,500 and build it yourself, saving 62 percent. The building process is extensive and involves planning the design, laying o

ut the deck for size and height, locating the posts, installing joists and bracing, attaching the deck to the house, installing the foundation piers, installing the decking, and finishing the deck with stairs or a railing if needed.

Before you consider the design, check with your local building department to learn about building code requirements. And check your property survey to make sure you know exactly where your property lines are.

Be inspired by Pinterest's board about 25+ Ideas about Cedar Decks.

Now you know the average cost to install a build a cedar deck, which includes the labor and material, and what’s involved, so you can decide to do it yourself or hire a contractor. Don’t forget to adjust the cost to where you live by adding your ZIP Code.

Improvement and Repair Cost Updated 2019

The cost and time data is generated by averaging labor and material data from annually updated cost books used by contractors and refined by the authors' experience remodeling 13 houses. They are authors of 20 home improvement books and Do It Yourself or Not, a weekly column syndicated by Tribune Content Agency. The national cost can be adjusted by ZIP Code.