Contractor's Pricing Guide for Trex Decking (2026)
Trex is the most requested composite brand in the industry. This pricing guide covers every product line, installed costs, and how to build profitable Trex quotes.
Trex is the brand homeowners ask for by name. More Google searches, more brand recognition, more "I want a Trex deck" conversations than any other composite manufacturer. That is good news for you as a contractor. Brand familiarity shortens the sales cycle and reduces the education you need to do at the kitchen table.
But here is the catch. When a homeowner says "I want Trex," they rarely know whether they mean Enhance, Select, or Transcend. They just know the name. It is your job to guide them to the right product and price it accurately. This Trex decking pricing guide gives you the numbers you need to quote Trex projects with confidence in 2026.
[IMAGE: Trex Enhance, Select, and Transcend board samples arranged from left to right with price tags]
Trex Product Lines in 2026
Trex keeps its lineup simple compared to some competitors. Three product lines, each clearly positioned on the price ladder.
Trex Enhance
Enhance is Trex's entry-level composite and their highest-volume seller. It comes in two sub-collections.
- Enhance Basics: $5.00-$6.50/sqft material — limited colors, scalloped profile
- Enhance Naturals: $6.00-$8.00/sqft material — more color options, solid or scalloped
- Warranty: 25-year limited residential
- Board widths: 5.5" standard
- Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners who want composite over wood
Enhance is where you will compete most on price. Know your material cost to the penny because your competitors are quoting this line too.
Trex Select
Select sits in the middle and is often overlooked. It offers a cleaner aesthetic than Enhance with better fade and stain resistance.
- Material cost: $6.00-$10.00/sqft
- Warranty: 25-year limited residential, 25-year fade and stain
- Board widths: 5.5" standard
- Colors: Moderate palette with multi-tonal options
- Best for: Homeowners who want a step up from Enhance without jumping to premium pricing
Select is a strong "better" option in a good-better-best quote. The material cost bump over Enhance is modest, but the installed price difference helps your margin.
Trex Transcend
Transcend is the premium line. Deeper wood grain, richer colors, and the best warranty Trex offers.
- Transcend Lineage: $8.00-$12.00/sqft — newer collection with bold tropical and exotic wood tones
- Transcend: $9.00-$15.00/sqft — classic premium profiles
- Warranty: 25-year limited residential, 25-year fade and stain, 25-year structural (Lineage)
- Board widths: 5.5" and some 8" wide options available
- Best for: Premium projects, high-visibility outdoor living spaces
You can learn more about premium PVC alternatives in our guide on estimating AZEK decking jobs.
Total Installed Cost Per Square Foot
Material cost is only half the story. Here is what homeowners should expect to pay all-in, installed, including substructure, fasteners, and labor.
| Product Line | Material Only | Installed Cost | Labor Portion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhance Basics | $5-$6.50/sqft | $25-$35/sqft | $8-$15/sqft |
| Enhance Naturals | $6-$8/sqft | $30-$40/sqft | $10-$18/sqft |
| Select | $6-$10/sqft | $30-$50/sqft | $10-$18/sqft |
| Transcend Lineage | $8-$12/sqft | $40-$55/sqft | $12-$20/sqft |
| Transcend | $9-$15/sqft | $45-$65/sqft | $12-$22/sqft |
Labor rates vary by region, crew experience, and project complexity. The national average for composite deck installation labor runs $10-$20 per square foot. High-cost markets like the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and coastal California can push labor above $22/sqft.
These installed prices include the substructure (joists, beams, posts, footings) but do not include railing, stairs, or permit fees. Those are separate line items you need to add.
[IMAGE: Infographic showing the cost stack from substructure to decking to railing for a Trex Transcend project]
Sample Project Costs
Real numbers help more than ranges. Here are three common project sizes priced across Trex product lines. These assume standard rectangular layouts, one set of stairs, and railing on three sides.
Small Deck: 12x12 (144 sqft)
| Component | Enhance | Select | Transcend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decking + waste | $1,000 | $1,300 | $1,850 |
| Substructure | $950 | $950 | $950 |
| Fasteners | $180 | $180 | $250 |
| Railing (36 LF) | $1,800 | $2,500 | $3,600 |
| Stairs (4-step) | $400 | $500 | $650 |
| Total Materials | $4,330 | $5,430 | $7,300 |
| Labor (installed) | $2,200 | $2,600 | $3,200 |
| Total Installed | $6,530 | $8,030 | $10,500 |
Medium Deck: 14x20 (280 sqft)
| Component | Enhance | Select | Transcend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decking + waste | $1,950 | $2,500 | $3,600 |
| Substructure | $1,650 | $1,650 | $1,650 |
| Fasteners | $350 | $350 | $480 |
| Railing (48 LF) | $2,400 | $3,350 | $4,800 |
| Stairs (4-step) | $400 | $500 | $650 |
| Total Materials | $6,750 | $8,350 | $11,180 |
| Labor (installed) | $4,200 | $5,000 | $6,200 |
| Total Installed | $10,950 | $13,350 | $17,380 |
Large Deck: 20x20 (400 sqft)
| Component | Enhance | Select | Transcend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decking + waste | $2,800 | $3,600 | $5,150 |
| Substructure | $2,400 | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| Fasteners | $500 | $500 | $680 |
| Railing (60 LF) | $3,000 | $4,200 | $6,000 |
| Stairs (4-step, 2 sets) | $800 | $1,000 | $1,300 |
| Total Materials | $9,500 | $11,700 | $15,530 |
| Labor (installed) | $6,000 | $7,200 | $8,800 |
| Total Installed | $15,500 | $18,900 | $24,330 |
Additional Cost Items
Do not forget these common add-ons that homeowners frequently request:
- Additional stairs: $160-$560 per step depending on width and material
- Railing upgrades: $50-$120 per linear foot for aluminum or cable systems
- Post cap lighting: $30-$80 per cap
- Permit fees: $150-$1,200 depending on municipality
- Demolition of old deck: $3-$8/sqft
What Affects Trex Deck Pricing
No two Trex decks cost the same. These factors create the spread between the low and high end of the installed cost ranges.
Deck Height
A ground-level deck requires minimal substructure. A second-story deck at 10+ feet needs engineered posts, bracing, and more concrete. Height can add $5-$15/sqft to the installed cost.
Design Complexity
Angles, curves, multiple levels, and built-in features all increase labor and waste. A curved front edge can add 20-30% waste on the decking boards alone. Multi-level builds have their own estimating challenges covered in our guide on quoting multi-level deck builds.
Board Pattern
Running boards at 45 degrees or in a herringbone pattern requires 12-inch on-center joist spacing instead of 16-inch. That is 30% more substructure lumber plus increased labor time for complex cuts.
Regional Pricing
Material prices vary by region due to distribution and demand. Trex Enhance Naturals might run $6.50/sqft at a yard in the Midwest and $8.00/sqft on the West Coast. Labor rates follow the same pattern. Always use your local pricing, not national averages.
Seasonal Pricing
Lumber yards and distributors sometimes offer early-season contractor pricing in January through March. If you can buy materials early and store them, you can lock in better pricing for spring and summer builds.
Fastener Systems
Trex offers several fastener options. Hideaway hidden fasteners add $1.00-$1.75/sqft over face screwing with color-matched StarDrive screws. Some homeowners care about this. Some do not. But you need to know the cost difference.
Trex vs Other Composites: Quick Comparison
Homeowners will ask how Trex stacks up. Here is a straightforward comparison of 2026 material costs per square foot.
| Brand | Entry Level | Mid Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trex | $5-$8 (Enhance) | $6-$10 (Select) | $8-$15 (Transcend) |
| TimberTech | $5.70-$7.50 (EDGE) | $7.15-$10.60 (PRO) | $9.17-$13.50 (AZEK) |
| Fiberon | $4.50-$7 (Good Life) | $6-$9 (Sanctuary) | $8-$12 (Paramount) |
| AZEK (standalone) | — | — | $9.17-$13.50 (PVC) |
Trex tends to price slightly below TimberTech at each tier. The differences are modest — usually $1-$2 per square foot on material. Where the gap widens is in railing systems, where Trex's aluminum options (Trex Signature railing) tend to run 10-15% less than comparable TimberTech railing.
For a deeper dive on TimberTech pricing, read our TimberTech quoting guide.
How to Quote Trex Decks Profitably
Knowing the material prices is step one. Building a profitable quote is the real skill. Here is how to do it right.
Know Your Actual Material Cost
Do not rely on MSRP or website pricing. Call your distributor, get your contractor pricing, and update your numbers quarterly. The spread between MSRP and contractor cost can be 15-25%, and that difference is your margin.
Use a Quoting Tool That Knows Trex
Spreadsheets work until they do not. One wrong cell reference, one outdated price, and your quote is off by thousands. FieldRate keeps material pricing current so you can build Trex quotes in minutes with accurate numbers.
Always Include Fascia and Fasteners
These two line items get missed on more Trex quotes than any other. Fascia runs $8-$12 per linear foot. Hidden fasteners add $1.00-$1.75/sqft. On a 400-sqft deck, that is $1,200-$1,500 you cannot afford to leave out.
Factor Waste at 10-15%
Standard rectangular layouts generate 10% waste. Complex shapes, angles, and patterns push waste to 15% or higher. If you are running boards at 45 degrees, budget 15% minimum. Experienced builders know that Trex boards are not cheap enough to under-order and make a second trip to the yard.
Include Railing in Every Quote
Some contractors quote "decking only" and then surprise the homeowner with a railing add-on. This kills trust. Railing is 20-35% of total material cost on most projects. Include it in your base quote, and the homeowner sees the real number from the start.
Present Options
Give the homeowner Enhance, Select, and Transcend pricing side by side. Let them choose their comfort level. Most will pick the middle option, which is exactly where your margin is strongest.
[IMAGE: Screenshot of a good-better-best Trex quote with three columns showing Enhance, Select, and Transcend pricing]
Quote Trex Decks Faster and More Accurately
The contractors closing the most Trex jobs are not winning on price alone. They are winning on speed and professionalism. When you show up with a detailed, itemized quote that a homeowner can understand, you stand out from the guy who scribbles a number on the back of a business card.
FieldRate helps deck contractors build accurate Trex quotes in minutes, with real-time material pricing and professional presentations that homeowners trust. Stop spending hours on manual takeoffs and start closing more Trex jobs. Check out our guide on deck building costs in 2026 for more pricing benchmarks.