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.
In 2026, Trex contractor material cost runs $5–$6.50/sq ft for Enhance Basics (budget), $6–$10/sq ft for Select (mid), and $8–$15/sq ft for Transcend (premium). Installed, the same three lines come out at roughly $25–$35, $30–$50, and $40–$65 per square foot — substructure included, railing and stairs separate. Below: every product line with 2026 contractor pricing, three real project breakdowns (12×12, 14×20, 20×20), and the line items that get missed most often.
What are the Trex product lines in 2026?
Trex sells three lines: Enhance (entry composite, ~$5–$8/sq ft material), Select (mid-tier composite, ~$6–$10/sq ft), and Transcend (premium composite, ~$8–$15/sq ft). All three are wood-plastic composite (95% recycled materials), all carry a 25-year limited residential warranty, and all install the same way. The differences across lines are cap technology, color depth, fade/stain warranty length, and board profile.
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.
What does a Trex deck cost installed, per square foot?
Installed Trex deck cost ranges from $25–$35/sq ft for Enhance Basics to $45–$65/sq ft for Transcend in 2026. National average labor for composite deck installation is $10–$20/sq ft, with high-cost markets (Northeast, Pacific Northwest, coastal California) pushing labor above $22/sq ft. Substructure (joists, beams, posts, footings) is included in these installed prices. Railing, stairs, and permits are separate line items you'll add to your quote.
| 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.
How much does a typical Trex deck cost? Three real project breakdowns
A 12×12 (144 sq ft) Trex deck installs at $6,530 in Enhance / $8,030 in Select / $10,500 in Transcend. A 14×20 (280 sq ft) runs $10,950 / $13,350 / $17,380. A 20×20 (400 sq ft) lands at $15,500 / $18,900 / $24,330. All three assume standard rectangular layouts, one set of stairs, and railing on three sides. Substructure, decking, fasteners, railing, stairs, and labor are itemized below so you can adjust any one line for a different project shape.
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 factors change Trex deck pricing the most?
Deck height, design complexity, and board pattern each move the installed cost meaningfully — height alone can add $5–$15/sq ft going from a ground-level to a second-story deck. A curved front edge adds 20–30% waste on decking boards. Running boards at 45° or herringbone drops joist spacing from 16" OC to 12" OC, which is 30% more substructure lumber plus more labor time. Regional pricing and seasonality also matter — January–March is when distributors offer early-season contractor pricing.
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.
How does Trex pricing compare to TimberTech, Fiberon, and AZEK?
Trex tends to price $1–$2/sq ft below TimberTech at each tier on decking boards. Fiberon undercuts Trex by $0.50–$1/sq ft on entry-level composite. AZEK (full PVC) is a separate tier entirely — $9–$13.50/sq ft material, no entry-level option, but a 50-year warranty and zero moisture absorption. The 2026 material-cost-per-sq-ft picture across the four main brands:
| 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 do you quote a Trex deck profitably?
Six rules separate a quote that nets 10–15% from one that nets 2%: know your actual material cost (the MSRP-to-contractor spread is 15–25%), factor waste at 10–15% (15% minimum for diagonal patterns), never quote decking-only (include railing as 20–35% of material cost upfront), always include fascia and fasteners ($1,200–$1,500 on a 400 sq ft deck), use a quoting tool that knows Trex pricing (spreadsheet errors compound), and present good/better/best so homeowners pick the middle tier where your margin is strongest.
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.
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.