Composite deck cost in Fort Smith, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $9,700 – $19,400
- Per sq ft
- $32 – $64.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −20%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #295
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Fort Smith, AR usually costs $9,700 to $19,400 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $32 to $64.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,550 less. Carpenters earn a median of $20.39 an hour in the Fort Smith area, 30% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR, standard level
$12,600 to $16,500
About $42 to $54.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $6,700 | $8,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $12,600 | $16,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 46% |
| Labor | $5,150 | $7,750 | $10,300 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $9,700 | $14,600 | $19,400 | 100% |
Where the Fort Smith price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $20.39 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Fort Smith is 0.72 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 53% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fort Smith is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,750 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $45 to $130.
Planning more than one job in Fort Smith?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Smith wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−13%) and concrete patio lowest (−18%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,350 – $12,700 | −16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,050 – $3,200 | −18% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −13% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,100 – $3,700 | −13% |
Fort Smith against nearby metros and the rest of Arkansas
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Fort Smith. Texarkana comes closest at about $14,600.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, ARthis page | $9,700 – $19,400 | $14,600 | |
| Fayetteville, AR50 miles | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +7% |
| Tulsa, OK110 miles | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | +6% |
| Joplin, MO115 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | +10% |
| Little Rock, AR125 miles | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | +6% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $9,700 – $19,500 | $14,600 | level |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | +5% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +24% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fort Smith ranks #295 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fort Smith is 5% below the Arkansas figure.
Elsewhere in Arkansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | +6% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +7% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $9,850 – $19,800 | $14,800 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Smith against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $10,100 – $20,200 | $15,100 | +4% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $9,850 – $19,700 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +30% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $13,300 – $26,600 | $19,900 | +37% |
Fort Smith weather and the composite deck calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ft Smith Rgnl Ap (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Fort Smith are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Fort Smith gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.6 inches in May). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 78 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 | 51 | 30 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 57 | 33 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 68 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 72 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 63 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 51 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 32 | 3.5 | Workable |
Add-ons priced for Fort Smith
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.83 for Fort Smith, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.72) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,500 – $4,450 |
What local crews earn in Fort Smith
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 Fort Smith the blend is 0.72.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $20.39 an hour, 30% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.84 and $23.62 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 25.1 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 $17.77 an hour, which is 22% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.31 and $21.83 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 70.1 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 $960 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $760. That is a swing of roughly 5.2% to 6.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fort Smith has 95,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 210th 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% | $17.84 | $20.39 | $23.62 | $29.12 | 0.70 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.31 | $17.77 | $21.83 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.72 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Fort Smith 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).
Cost by quality level and size in Fort Smith
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fort Smith. 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
$9,700 to $13,600
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$12,600 to $16,500
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$15,500 to $19,400
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,900 – $5,500 | $5,100 – $6,650 | $6,250 – $7,850 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,700 – $6,550 | $6,100 – $8,000 | $7,500 – $9,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,300 – $14,500 | $13,500 – $17,600 | $16,600 – $20,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $12,900 – $18,100 | $16,800 – $22,000 | $20,700 – $25,900 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Composite deck in Fort Smith: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Fort Smith?
For 300 sq ft, expect $9,700 to $19,400 in the Fort Smith area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,600 to $16,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Fort Smith?
About $32 to $64.50 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 Fort Smith or Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,600, which is 7% more than Fort Smith ($14,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Smith?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $7,750 out of $14,600. Materials are 46% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Fort Smith?
$10,300 to $20,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Fort Smith?
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 Fort Smith area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Smith expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Fort Smith is 5% below the Arkansas statewide estimate ($15,400 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Fort Smith?
The BLS median is $20.39 an hour in the Fort Smith area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.84 to $23.62.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Fort Smith?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $9,700 to $13,600 and premium work $15,500 to $19,400. 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 Fort Smith?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. January and February 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 Fort Smith?
$1,500 to $4,450 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Fort Smith
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