Composite deck cost in Daphne, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,300 – $20,700
- Per sq ft
- $34 – $68.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −14%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #264
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Daphne, plan on $10,300 to $20,700 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $34 to $68.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 14% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $22.59 an hour in the Daphne area, 22% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Daphne, AL, standard level
$13,400 to $17,600
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 | $7,350 | $9,600 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $13,400 | $17,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Daphne, 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 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $10,300 | $15,500 | $20,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Daphne number
Labor is 55% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Daphne the blended ratio comes out at 0.78.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Daphne metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,950, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (94.7) and land at $45 to $140.
What nearby projects cost in Daphne
Because every project leans on different trades, Daphne's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gutters runs −10% and concrete patio −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,700 – $13,400 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,450 | −13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,800 | −12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Daphne bid
Labor
Labor for composite is $24-$48 per sq ft, higher than wood because the boards need extra parts and more careful assembly.
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Daphne
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Daphne wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$10,300 to $14,500
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$13,400 to $17,600
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$16,500 to $20,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,150 – $5,850 | $5,400 – $7,100 | $6,700 – $8,350 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,000 – $7,000 | $6,500 – $8,500 | $8,000 – $10,000 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,000 – $15,400 | $14,300 – $18,700 | $17,600 – $22,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,700 – $19,300 | $17,900 – $23,400 | $22,000 – $27,500 |
Add-ons priced for Daphne
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Daphne by the average of the local wage index (0.78) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.87. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,550 – $4,700 |
Climate in Daphne: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Fairhope 3 Ne (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Daphne: 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.
Daphne gets about 66 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.6 inches in July). The station averages about 47 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61 | 39 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 65 | 43 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 47 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 53 | 5.2 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 70 | 6.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 72 | 7.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 89 | 71 | 7.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 86 | 67 | 6.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 56 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 46 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 42 | 5.1 | Workable |
Daphne labor market for composite deck
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Daphne is 0.78 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $22.59 an hour, which is 22% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $18.16 and $25.41 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 31.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $18.48 an hour, 18% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.06 and $22.49 an hour. About 970 work in the metro. That is 111.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($25.41 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $840. At the 25th percentile ($18.16) it shrinks by about $1,300. The total moves by 5.4% or 8.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 87,120 jobs in the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley area. That makes it the 225th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $18.16 | $22.59 | $25.41 | $29.12 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.06 | $18.48 | $22.49 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.78 | |||||
Daphne against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Crestview is the priciest of the group at $16,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, ALthis page | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | |
| Mobile, AL25 miles | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +1% |
| Pensacola, FL35 miles | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | +2% |
| Gulfport, MS75 miles | $10,600 – $21,200 | $15,900 | +2% |
| Crestview, FL85 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | +4% |
| Hattiesburg, MS95 miles | $10,400 – $20,700 | $15,600 | level |
| Alabama (statewide) | $10,400 – $20,800 | $15,600 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +17% |
Across 300 US metros, Daphne comes in at #264 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Daphne is 1% below the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| 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% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Daphne's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Daphne against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | +4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | +16% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $10,600 – $21,200 | $15,900 | +3% |
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 $17,600 for Daphne, AL is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Daphne, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Daphne, 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 Daphne: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Daphne?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,300 to $20,700 in the Daphne area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,400 to $17,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Daphne?
About $34 to $68.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Daphne or Mobile?
Mobile is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,600, which is 1% more than Daphne ($15,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Daphne?
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 Daphne?
$11,000 to $22,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Daphne?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $140 for fees in the Daphne area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Daphne expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Alabama?
Daphne 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 Daphne?
The BLS median is $22.59 an hour in the Daphne area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.16 to $25.41.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Daphne?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,300 to $14,500 and premium work $16,500 to $20,700. 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 Daphne?
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 Daphne?
$1,550 to $4,700 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Daphne
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