Deck materials and prices
| Material | Installed, per sq ft | 700 sq ft deck (our arithmetic) | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broom-finish concrete | $10–15 | $7,000–10,500 | Cheapest; joints let it move |
| Stamped concrete | $15–25 | $10,500–17,500 | Patterned look; needs resealing |
| Concrete pavers | $18–30 | $12,600–21,000 | Single pieces can be lifted and reset |
| Travertine | $25–35 | $17,500–24,500 | Stays cooler underfoot; natural stone needs sealing |
Per-foot prices from River Pools (updated March 2026), checked 4 November 2026. Fixr's example 12×24 ft concrete deck comes to about $7,500 installed (Fixr).
Decks on slow-draining prairie soil
Much of the parish sits on soils such as Mowata, which USDA describes as poorly drained with water at 0–2 ft from December to April (USDA). A deck poured over that ground needs a compacted base, a slope away from the pool and the house, and somewhere for the water to go. Ask each bidder for deck drains in the plan, expansion joints where the deck meets the coping, and how thick the slab will be. Pavers forgive a little settling, since a low spot can be lifted and relaid; a cracked slab has to be cut out.
Size matters as much as material. A narrow 3-ft walkway leaves no room for chairs, while a full patio on one side gives you a place for a table and shade. On a wet lot, every extra square foot is also more runoff to manage.
Fence prices by material
| Fence, 4–5 ft | Per linear foot installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Removable mesh | $7–10 | Whole projects average $1,500–2,500; popular where a perimeter fence exists |
| Aluminum | $15–35 | Rust-free; the common pool choice |
| Vinyl | $15–40 | Privacy panels; check wind ratings |
| Wrought iron | $15–40 | Needs repainting in humid air |
| Wood | $20–30 | Cheapest privacy; watch climbable rails |
| Glass | $95–210 | Clear view; the most expensive |
From Fixr (updated January 2025). Most fence jobs land at $3,000–10,000. About 150 ft of aluminum fence works out to $2,250–5,250 (our arithmetic).
What the barrier rules ask for
Inside Lake Charles, any pool deeper than 24 in needs a barrier built to the building code (city code enforcement), and the model pool code sets at least 4 ft with self-closing, self-latching gates. Sulphur is stricter: its pool permit form calls for a fence or wall at least 6 ft high around any pool holding 18 in of water or more, finished before the pool is filled (City of Sulphur). That difference can add a few thousand dollars to a Sulphur fence, so price the right height. See our permits and fences guide and the Sulphur page.
Putting the numbers together
For a mid-size pool with a 700 sq ft broom-finish deck and 150 ft of aluminum fence, the outside work alone comes to about $9,250–15,750 (our arithmetic from the ranges above). Stamped concrete or pavers push that toward $13,000–26,000. That fits the $9,000–27,000 we use for deck, fence and permits on the pool cost guide.
- Ask whether the pool contract includes any deck at all, and how many square feet.
- Get the fence and gate height in writing, matched to your city or the parish.
- Pour the deck after the pool passes its inspections, not before.
Common questions
How much is a concrete pool deck in Lake Charles?
About $10–15 a sq ft installed for broom-finished concrete and $15–25 for stamped (River Pools). A 700 sq ft deck is roughly $7,000–10,500 in plain concrete (our arithmetic).
What does a pool fence cost?
Most pool fence projects cost $3,000–10,000. Aluminum runs $15–35 a linear foot, removable mesh $7–10 and glass $95–210 (Fixr).
How tall must a pool fence be in Sulphur?
At least 6 ft, with self-closing and self-latching gates, for any pool holding 18 in of water or more, according to the city's pool permit form (City of Sulphur).
Sources & further reading
- River Pools: best materials for a pool patio (Mar 2026). Installed deck prices
- Fixr: pool deck cost (Jan 2025). Example deck
- Fixr: swimming pool fence cost (Jan 2025). Fence prices by material
- City of Lake Charles code enforcement. Pool barrier rule
- City of Sulphur: swimming pool permit application (rev. Feb 2025). 6-ft fence rule
- USDA soil series: Mowata. Drainage
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.