TL;DR: In the Madison and Huntsville, AL area, a pressure-treated wood deck typically runs $25 to $45 per square foot installed, while composite decking runs $45 to $70 per square foot. A cedar or wood pergola kit, built on site, usually falls between $4,000 and $12,000 depending on size and roof style. A wood privacy fence runs $25 to $40 per linear foot installed, with aluminum or ornamental metal fencing running higher. Permits, soil conditions, railing style, and HOA review add or subtract from those baselines.
If you’re pricing out a new deck off the back of your Madison ranch, a pergola over the patio, or a privacy fence around a yard near Bradford Creek Park, and three contractors have given you three wildly different numbers, you’re not imagining the gap. Decks, pergolas, and fences all have the same cost skeleton (materials, labor, site prep, and permits) but the mix changes the total by thousands of dollars. Here’s what actually drives the price in North Alabama.
How much does a deck cost in Alabama?
A standard 300 to 400 square foot pressure-treated deck in the Madison area typically costs $9,000 to $18,000 installed, or roughly $25 to $45 per square foot once you include footings, framing, decking, and railing. Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, and similar brands) on the same footprint usually runs $45 to $70 per square foot, or $14,000 to $28,000, because the board material costs more and often carries a longer manufacturer warranty.
The biggest swing factor is height and access. A deck that sits close to grade with a simple rectangular footprint is the cheapest version of the job. A second-story deck, a deck with multiple levels, or one built on a sloped lot (common on the older 1970s and 80s ranch lots around Madison) needs deeper footings, more structural lumber, and often a permanent staircase, which adds labor hours fast. Railing style matters too: basic wood balusters cost far less than cable rail or aluminum pickets, which have become popular in newer Bradford Creek and Redstone Village subdivisions.
For a side-by-side look at the wood-versus-composite decision itself, see our wood vs composite decking comparison, which breaks down the 15 to 25 year lifespan difference between the two materials.
How much does a pergola cost to build?
A freestanding wood pergola in the 12x12 to 16x20 range typically runs $4,000 to $12,000 installed, with the spread driven almost entirely by wood species, roof style, and whether it’s attached to the house. A basic pressure-treated or cedar pergola with open rafters sits at the low end of that range. A pergola with a louvered or partially covered roof, built-in lighting, or premium woods like western red cedar climbs toward the top.
Size matters less than people expect. A small 10x10 pergola over a patio can still run $4,000 to $6,000 because the posts, beams, and footings don’t shrink much just because the footprint does. Attaching the pergola to an existing house (a ledger-mounted design over a deck or patio) usually costs less than a freestanding structure with four independent footings, since you’re saving two posts and two footings’ worth of labor and concrete.
In the hot, humid Madison summers, pressure-treated pine and cedar both hold up well if they’re properly sealed every 2 to 3 years. Untreated hardwoods look great initially but weather faster without that maintenance.
How much does a fence cost per linear foot in Alabama?
A wood privacy fence in North Alabama typically runs $25 to $40 per linear foot installed, including posts, pickets, and a gate. Aluminum or wrought-iron style fencing runs $35 to $60 per linear foot, and basic chain link runs $15 to $25 per linear foot. A quarter-acre lot with roughly 200 linear feet of fence line lands most wood privacy fence projects between $5,000 and $8,000.
Terrain and corners drive the real-world variation. A flat, rectangular lot is the cheapest fence to build. Lots with slope, mature trees whose roots interfere with post holes, or a lot line with more than four corners all add labor time. Gate hardware is another line item people underestimate, a single-swing pedestrian gate adds a few hundred dollars, while a double-swing drive gate rated for vehicle traffic can add $1,000 or more.
HOA-governed subdivisions around Madison, including several newer developments near Liberty Park and Blue Springs, often restrict fence height, material, and placement. Getting your fence design pre-approved before materials are ordered avoids a costly redo.
Do you need a permit for a deck, pergola, or fence in Madison?
Most attached decks and many freestanding decks over a certain height require a building permit in the City of Madison, while fence permit requirements vary by height and whether the fence sits on a property line. The International Residential Code, which Alabama municipalities commonly adopt through the International Code Council, governs the structural requirements (footing depth, joist spans, guardrail height) that an inspector checks against.
Decks attached to the house, decks more than 30 inches above grade, and any structure that changes the footprint of the home typically need a permit and at least one inspection. Pergolas are a mixed bag: a small freestanding pergola may not need a permit, but one attached to the house or built over an existing deck often does, since it changes the load on that structure. Fences are usually permit-free below a set height (commonly 6 feet in residential zones) but can still require a survey to confirm the property line, especially in older Madison neighborhoods where lot pins have shifted over decades.
For the general rules on when a permit is and isn’t required for home projects, see our permit guide. Skipping a required permit can create problems at resale, since many home inspectors and appraisers flag unpermitted structural work.
What should you do to get an accurate cost for your project?
The only reliable way to get an accurate number is a written, itemized quote based on your actual lot, soil, and HOA requirements, since online calculators and “typical cost” ranges can be off by thousands of dollars for a specific property. A real quote accounts for footing depth required by your soil, the exact linear footage or square footage of your project, and the material grade you actually want.
When comparing bids, make sure each one breaks out material cost, labor cost, and permit fees separately. A bid that’s dramatically lower than the others is often missing a line item, not offering a better deal. Ask whether the price includes haul-away of old decking, fencing, or debris, since that’s a common add-on fee that surprises homeowners after the fact.
Davis Construction Contractors has been building decks, pergolas, and fences for homeowners across Madison and the greater Huntsville area since 2008, and can walk your specific lot before giving you a number. Call Davis Construction Contractors at (256) 771-0326 to schedule a measurement and written estimate.
Getting two or three detailed quotes, not just phone estimates, is still the single best way to protect your budget on a deck, pergola, or fence project. Once you have real numbers for your lot, the decision usually comes down to material grade and how long you plan to stay in the home.
About Davis Construction Contractors
Davis Construction Contractors is a family-owned, licensed and insured contractor based in Madison, AL, serving the Huntsville, Athens, and North Alabama area since 2008. Written by Heath Davis, the company’s crews handle decks, pergolas, fences, remodeling, roofing, siding, and new construction across the region.