Thinking about building a new deck in Regina or Saskatoon? If you've started gathering quotes, you've probably noticed the numbers rarely line up—even for the same deck size and materials. This isn't just a quirk of the market. Behind every quote are local factors like permits, how easily crews can reach your backyard, and what lies beneath the soil that all shape your project's bottom line. As homeowners and deck pros serving Saskatchewan for over a decade, we've helped thousands navigate these differences. Let's break down exactly how Regina and Saskatoon compare, why price differences occur, and how to make sure your quote is tailored for your yard—not just a template.
Understanding Deck Pricing Variables: Regina vs. Saskatoon
On the surface, the cost to install a deck in Regina and Saskatoon should be similar. Labour rates and material prices are close across both cities. Dig a little deeper, though, and three key variables start to drive the final number:
- Permits and engineering
- Site access and delivery logistics
- Footing type, depth, and installation method
Permits: What to Know in Regina and Saskatoon
Permits are an unavoidable reality for most decks in urban Saskatchewan. While both cities have similar policies, small differences can mean extra cost and delays if you don't go in prepared.
When Is a Permit Needed?
- If your deck is above a minimum height (often around 24 inches/0.6m)
- It's attached to the house
- Exceeds a certain footprint or has a roof/covered structure
What makes permits a true price driver is not just the application fee, but the time and paperwork involved—drawings, inspections, potential revisions, or engineering. In Regina and Saskatoon, permit fees for a standard deck range between $200 and $600 (larger, multi-level, or engineered designs can push costs closer to $1,200).
Sometimes one quote appears higher because it includes permit handling, plans, and city submissions, while another leaves those for you to wrangle. When comparing quotes, always clarify what is—and isn't—included in relation to permits. If you need help producing proper drawings or understanding the current bylaws, our team at The Ultimate Deck Shop in both cities offers hands-on 3D design and permitting support.
Site Access: The Hidden Price Tag
Deck installation is a logistical puzzle. Hauling lumber, concrete, and tools into your backyard can be effortless with wide side yard access or a complete headache with fences, steep slopes, or limited alleys. Tight access isn't just a minor annoyance—it can add substantial labour, increasing price by $800 to $2,400 or more for larger jobs.
Typical Access Scenarios
- Easy Access: Wide, level yards where trucks or skid steers can deliver material right to the build site—minimal hand hauling, faster footings, lower cost.
- Tight Access: Everything goes by wheelbarrow, possibly through the house. For lots in established neighborhoods in Regina, this is common, and it can double material handling time.
- Challenging Terrains: Walkout basements and sloped yards need extra bracing, longer posts, and specialty equipment—this is more common on Saskatoon's riverbank neighborhoods and hilly sites.
For homeowners, you can often reduce installation cost by temporarily removing fence panels or arranging for logical material delivery sequencing. If you're DIY-ing, having your deck packages staged in build order using our Local Delivery service can prevent the inefficiency and frustration of shuffling boards and hardware around tight spaces.
Deck Footings: Soil, Frost Depth, and Engineering
Footings are likely the biggest question mark on your quote. Saskatchewan's freeze-thaw cycles mean footings must extend below frost (usually at least 4 feet/1.2m). What changes from project to project are:
- Footing type: concrete, precast blocks for low platforms, or helical screw piles
- Required depth and diameter (driven by soil type and deck load)
- Quantity (dictated by deck shape, local code, or if adding hot tubs, pergolas, etc.)
Here's how that plays out between the two cities:
- Older Regina neighborhoods often mean heavy clay and tighter access, leading to more hand digging and sometimes engineered piles for stability.
- Saskatoon's newer subdivisions typically have more uniform soil, easier equipment access, and more predictable footing layouts. Concrete footings may be installed quickly with the right machinery, sometimes lowering cost for the same design.
Basic concrete footings may range from $1,000 to $3,000; helical piles installed by professionals can be slightly higher, but they're fast and minimize landscape damage (a big plus for established yards). For low "floating" decks, engineered pads or deck blocks can get the job done for $1,000 to $1,800—but only if code allows and your design isn't carrying significant weight.
Material Choices: The Impact on Footings and Budget
While deck surface type obviously changes the price, it also interacts with how you plan your framing and footings. Composite decking is heavier than wood and sometimes requires closer joist spacing or extra support beneath larger surfaces. Choosing pressure-treated wood or cedar can allow for wider beam spacing, reducing substructure costs. In both Regina and Saskatoon, the key is matching your budget and lifestyle preferences to the right material. If you're curious about the real-world differences, check out our comparison of composite vs. wood decking for Saskatchewan.
Railing and Design Details
Premium aluminum or glass railing options can quickly add $30–$80 per linear foot. Local trends matter here: Regina city infill lots tend to use more privacy inserts and tall railings, while Saskatoon projects in open cul-de-sacs may feature longer runs of standard railing with less need for screens. Be sure to tally up the linear footage required on your plans to avoid surprises later in your budget.
Real-World Pricing Scenarios
1. Pressure Treated Starter Deck: 12x16'
- Basic rectangle, about 24" off the ground
- Wood railing, one small stair
Regina, tight lot: Permit required, poor access, hand-dug footings—$9,000 to $12,000 range installed.
Saskatoon, new subdivision: Same deck, easier equipment access, more efficient install—$8,000 to $11,000 range installed.
2. Composite Deck with Aluminum Rail: 16x20'
- Mid-range composite, aluminum rails, full stair, ~4' above grade
Regina, walkout lot: Needs engineered piles, higher quantity of supports, more railing—$20,000 to $26,000 typical range.
Saskatoon, flat or moderate slope: Fewer pile upgrades, simpler install—$18,000 to $24,000 typical range.
How Your Build Path Impacts the Price Difference
The route you pick (DIY, hybrid support, or full Managed Install) also plays a part:
- Full DIY: You tackle design, permits, labour, and accept that access and footing challenges mostly cost you time, not just cash. Tool rentals can help ease the workload without a major investment.
- Assisted DIY (Unique in Regina): We handle structural framing to code, you finish the top deck, rails, and details. This saves 60-70% vs full management while ensuring code compliance.
- Managed Install: TUDS provides everything: design, permitting, materials, trusted contractor install, post-build warranty—in both Regina and Saskatoon. You pay for predictability and project oversight, but avoid hidden headaches.
Checklist: Comparing Quotes Across Cities
- Permits: Is the permit and city inspection included, or do you pay that separately?
- Design: Are plans, revisions, and site-specific engineering quoted in?
- Site Prep: Who handles material delivery? Does the crew have clear access? Are any fence moves or hand carries required?
- Footings: What foundation type is included? How many supports? Is the design overbuilt for soil conditions or just meeting code?
- Materials: Brand and line of your decking and railing—double check for apples-to-apples comparisons.
- Warranty: Material and installation warranty terms—be sure they're spelled out.
Factor in Deck Maintenance—Regardless of City
No matter which city you choose, a proper maintenance plan will affect your total cost of ownership. Composite and PVC decks are more forgiving but should still be cleaned seasonally to maintain grip and prevent build-up. Pressure-treated and cedar surfaces require ongoing cleaning and sealing to extend their lifespan. For detailed tips and best practices, see our Deck Maintenance page, where we cover:
- How to prep your deck in spring and protect it before winter
- Recommended products for cleaning and seasonal care
- Scheduling professional inspections before problems grow costly
If you want more on yearly maintenance or winterization, have a look at our guides like Fall Deck Care Checklist for winter-specific advice.
How We Help You Budget Better—No Surprises
- In-person or phone consults (no obligation, just clarity)
- 3D deck planning so you can visualize before you buy
- Deck budget calculators, to quickly align your ideas with real Saskatchewan costs
- Pro tools for contractors who want sharp, error-free material takeoffs
- Local delivery that’s actually timed to your project schedule
Ready to Price Your New Deck?
No matter where you call home, the reality is that permits, access logistics, and foundation requirements—not to mention your finish and design choices—set the true price of a deck in Regina or Saskatoon. If you bring your measurements and questions to us, we’ll help you compare the practical options, the unavoidable city rules, and the tricks that can keep your project on budget.
If you want to dive deeper into deck supplies available in your city, explore our posts on Regina deck supplies and Saskatoon deck supply options.
Questions about permits, layout, or footing methods? The Ultimate Deck Shop teams in Regina and Saskatoon are ready to help you sidestep surprises and make sure you love your deck, from the first quote through every season ahead. Visit us online or in-store to get started.
