Composite deck cost in Montgomery, 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
- #268
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Montgomery 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 $22.77 an hour in the Montgomery area, 22% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 45% |
| Labor | $5,600 | $8,450 | $11,200 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $10,300 | $15,500 | $20,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Montgomery number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.77 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Montgomery 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. Montgomery 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 89.7: $45 to $130.
Who does the work: Montgomery 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 Montgomery the blend is 0.78.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $22.77 an hour, 22% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.72 and $26.19 an hour. About 300 work in the metro. That is 18.1 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 $17.61 an hour, which is 22% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.10 and $21.41 an hour. BLS counts 1,040 of them working in the area, 62.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,000 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,500. That is a swing of roughly 9.7% to 6.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Montgomery has 165,550 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 142nd 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% | $17.72 | $22.77 | $26.19 | $29.12 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $14.10 | $17.61 | $21.41 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.78 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Montgomery bid
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).
Optional extras in Montgomery
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.87 for Montgomery, 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 |
Is Montgomery cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $14,600 to $16,000 across Montgomery and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, ALthis page | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | |
| Auburn, AL50 miles | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | level |
| Birmingham, AL80 miles | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +3% |
| Columbus, GA90 miles | $10,100 – $20,100 | $15,100 | −2% |
| Dothan, AL95 miles | $9,700 – $19,500 | $14,600 | −6% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL95 miles | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,700 | +1% |
| 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, Montgomery ranks #268 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Montgomery 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% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,700 | +1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | level |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Montgomery against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $13,600 – $27,300 | $20,500 | +32% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | +6% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $9,800 – $19,700 | $14,700 | −5% |
| Beaumont, TX | 163,220 jobs | $11,400 – $22,900 | $17,200 | +11% |
Montgomery: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Montgomery. 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 – $8,450 | $7,950 – $9,950 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,000 – $15,400 | $14,300 – $18,700 | $17,600 – $22,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,700 – $19,200 | $17,800 – $23,300 | $22,000 – $27,500 |
The best months for composite deck in Montgomery
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Montgomery Ap (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Montgomery are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Montgomery gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.2 inches in March). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.7 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 93 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 | 60 | 37 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 65 | 40 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 72 | 47 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 53 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 92 | 69 | 4.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 94 | 72 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 66 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 80 | 55 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 43 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 62 | 39 | 5.0 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Montgomery
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Montgomery wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−10%) 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 | −13% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
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 Montgomery, AL is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Montgomery, 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 Montgomery: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Montgomery?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,300 to $20,600 in the Montgomery 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 Montgomery?
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 Montgomery or Auburn?
Auburn is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,500, which is 0% more than Montgomery ($15,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Montgomery?
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 Montgomery?
$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 Montgomery?
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 Montgomery area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Montgomery expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Alabama?
Montgomery 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 Montgomery?
The BLS median is $22.77 an hour in the Montgomery area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.72 to $26.19.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Montgomery?
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.
+When is the best time to build a composite deck in Montgomery?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add a deck railing" add in Montgomery?
$1,550 to $4,700 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Montgomery
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