Composite deck cost in Auburn, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,300 – $20,600
- Per sq ft
- $34 – $68.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −15%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #267
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Auburn area: $10,300 to $20,600 for 300 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 15% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $22.89 an hour in the Auburn area, 21% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Auburn, AL, standard level
$13,400 to $17,500
About $44.50 to $58 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $7,300 | $9,550 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $13,400 | $17,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Auburn, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 45% |
| Labor | $5,650 | $8,450 | $11,300 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $10,300 | $15,500 | $20,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Auburn number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Auburn is 0.78 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 55% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Auburn is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,950 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.9: $45 to $130.
How Auburn compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $14,100 to $16,000 across Auburn and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, ALthis page | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | |
| Columbus, GA40 miles | $10,100 – $20,100 | $15,100 | −2% |
| Montgomery, AL50 miles | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | level |
| Dothan, AL85 miles | $9,700 – $19,500 | $14,600 | −6% |
| Birmingham, AL100 miles | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +3% |
| Albany, GA100 miles | $9,400 – $18,900 | $14,100 | −9% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $10,400 – $20,800 | $15,600 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +17% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Auburn ranks #267 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Auburn is 1% below the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +3% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | +2% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +1% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | level |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,700 | +1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Auburn against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 73,240 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | +15% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $11,500 – $23,000 | $17,200 | +11% |
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $15,700 – $31,400 | $23,500 | +52% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | +12% |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Auburn
Drainage
Ground-level decks over poorly draining yards may need $1,000-$4,000 of drainage work first.
Engineering
Large or complex decks may need a structural engineer at $100-$220 an hour to get a permit.
Board grade
Composite materials run $16-$32 per sq ft and the installed price is $40-$80 per sq ft, including the substructure (HomeGuide).
The best months for composite deck in Auburn
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Auburn No.2 (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Auburn: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Auburn gets about 56 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, June and December (5.7 inches in March). The station averages about 49 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 35 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 39 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 51 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 68 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 71 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 88 | 71 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 84 | 66 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 54 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 43 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 38 | 5.6 | Workable |
Who does the work: Auburn trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Auburn the blend is 0.78.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $22.89 an hour, 21% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.02 and $26.50 an hour. About 200 work in the metro. That is 27.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $17.36 an hour, which is 23% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $13.70 and $21.30 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 92.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,050 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $850. That is a swing of roughly 5.5% to 6.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Auburn-Opelika has 72,710 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 252nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $20.02 | $22.89 | $26.50 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $13.70 | $17.36 | $21.30 | $22.66 | 0.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.78 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Auburn
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.87 for Auburn, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.78) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,550 – $4,700 |
What nearby projects cost in Auburn
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Auburn wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−11%) and concrete patio lowest (−14%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,650 – $13,400 | −12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,400 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,600 – $4,700 | −14% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,100 – $3,750 | −11% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Auburn
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Auburn. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x12 (120 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$10,300 to $14,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$13,400 to $17,500
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$16,500 to $20,600
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,150 – $5,800 | $5,400 – $7,100 | $6,650 – $8,350 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,950 – $6,950 | $6,450 – $8,500 | $7,950 – $10,000 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,000 – $15,400 | $14,300 – $18,700 | $17,600 – $22,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,700 – $19,200 | $17,900 – $23,400 | $22,000 – $27,500 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $13,400 to $17,500 for Auburn, AL is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Auburn, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Composite deck in Auburn: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Auburn?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,300 to $20,600 in the Auburn area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,400 to $17,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Auburn?
About $34 to $68.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Auburn or Columbus?
Columbus is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,100, which is 2% less than Auburn ($15,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Auburn?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $8,450 out of $15,500. Materials are 45% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Auburn?
$11,000 to $22,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Auburn?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $130 for fees in the Auburn area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Auburn expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Alabama?
Auburn is 1% below the Alabama statewide estimate ($15,600 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Auburn?
The BLS median is $22.89 an hour in the Auburn area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.02 to $26.50.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Auburn?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,300 to $14,400 and premium work $16,500 to $20,600. Basic means: entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape. Premium means: premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners.
+Is there a bad season to build a composite deck in Auburn?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add a deck railing" add in Auburn?
$1,550 to $4,700 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Auburn
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Composite Decking Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020