Composite deck cost in Tuscaloosa, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,400 – $20,900
- Per sq ft
- $34.50 – $69
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #252
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Tuscaloosa, plan on $10,400 to $20,900 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $34.50 to $69 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $23.49 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, 19% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Tuscaloosa, AL, standard level
$13,600 to $17,800
About $45 to $59 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $7,500 | $9,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $13,600 | $17,800 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 44% |
| Labor | $5,750 | $8,650 | $11,500 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $10,400 | $15,700 | $20,900 | 100% |
Why Tuscaloosa prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Tuscaloosa wages are 0.80 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Tuscaloosa 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 (87.7) and land at $45 to $130.
Tuscaloosa against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Decatur is the priciest of the group at $16,000. Montgomery is the cheapest at $15,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, ALthis page | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,700 | |
| Birmingham, AL60 miles | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +2% |
| Montgomery, AL95 miles | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | −1% |
| Decatur, AL105 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | +2% |
| Huntsville, AL130 miles | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | level |
| Auburn, AL140 miles | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | −1% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $10,400 – $20,800 | $15,600 | level |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +16% |
Across 300 US metros, Tuscaloosa comes in at #252 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Tuscaloosa is 0% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +2% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | level |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | −1% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Tuscaloosa's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Tuscaloosa against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $9,500 – $19,100 | $14,300 | −9% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +21% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $11,400 – $22,900 | $17,100 | +9% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | +12% |
Why two Tuscaloosa quotes can differ
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.
Related projects, priced for Tuscaloosa
Because every project leans on different trades, Tuscaloosa's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gutters runs −10% and concrete patio −14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,750 – $13,500 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,400 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,600 – $4,700 | −13% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,100 – $3,800 | −10% |
Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa is 0.80 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $23.49 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.52 and $27.84 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 24.0 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 $17.53 an hour, 23% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.59 and $20.69 an hour. About 1,110 work in the metro. That is 102.3 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 ($27.84 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,300. At the 25th percentile ($20.52) it shrinks by about $880. The total moves by 8.2% or 5.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 108,460 jobs in the Tuscaloosa area. That makes it the 192nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $20.52 | $23.49 | $27.84 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $14.59 | $17.53 | $20.69 | $22.66 | 0.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Tuscaloosa
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Tuscaloosa 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
$10,400 to $14,600
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$13,600 to $17,800
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$16,700 to $20,900
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,200 – $5,900 | $5,450 – $7,150 | $6,750 – $8,450 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,050 – $7,050 | $6,550 – $8,600 | $8,050 – $10,100 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,100 – $15,600 | $14,500 – $18,900 | $17,800 – $22,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,900 – $19,500 | $18,100 – $23,700 | $22,300 – $27,800 |
Climate in Tuscaloosa: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Northport 2 S (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Tuscaloosa (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Tuscaloosa gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and April (5.6 inches in February). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 89 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 | 56 | 35 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 38 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 52 | 5.4 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 68 | 5.3 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 71 | 4.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 71 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 65 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 53 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 37 | 5.2 | Workable |
Optional extras in Tuscaloosa
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Tuscaloosa by the average of the local wage index (0.80) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.88. 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) | $1,600 – $4,750 |
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 $13,600 to $17,800 for Tuscaloosa, AL is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Tuscaloosa?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,400 to $20,900 in the Tuscaloosa area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,600 to $17,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Tuscaloosa?
About $34.50 to $69 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 Tuscaloosa or Birmingham?
Birmingham is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $16,000, which is 2% more than Tuscaloosa ($15,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Tuscaloosa?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $8,650 out of $15,700. Materials are 44% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Tuscaloosa?
$11,100 to $22,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Tuscaloosa?
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 Tuscaloosa area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Tuscaloosa expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Alabama?
Tuscaloosa is 0% above 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 Tuscaloosa?
The BLS median is $23.49 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.52 to $27.84.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Tuscaloosa?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,400 to $14,600 and premium work $16,700 to $20,900. 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 Tuscaloosa?
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 Tuscaloosa?
$1,600 to $4,750 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Tuscaloosa
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