Composite deck cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $13,600 – $27,300
- Per sq ft
- $45.50 – $90.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +13%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #29
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Chico, CA usually costs $13,600 to $27,300 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $45.50 to $90.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,400 more. Carpenters earn a median of $34.75 an hour in the Chico area, 19% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Chico, CA, standard level
$17,800 to $23,200
About $59 to $77 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,550 | $8,600 |
| Labor | $11,100 | $14,500 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $17,800 | $23,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,050 | $7,550 | $10,100 | 37% |
| Labor | $8,550 | $12,800 | $17,100 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 0% |
| Total | $13,600 | $20,500 | $27,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Chico number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $34.75 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chico is 1.19 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 63% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chico is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $7,550 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.2: $50 to $150.
Composite deck: what moves the price in Chico
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.
What local crews earn in Chico
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 Chico the blend is 1.19.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $34.75 an hour, 19% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.79 and $38.46 an hour. About 390 work in the metro. That is 49.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $26.31 an hour, which is 16% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.60 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 61.4 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 $1,100 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,950. That is a swing of roughly 14.4% to 5.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chico has 78,220 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 241st 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% | $24.79 | $34.75 | $38.46 | $29.12 | 1.19 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.14 | $26.31 | $34.60 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.19 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Chico
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chico. 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
$13,600 to $19,100
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$17,800 to $23,200
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$21,900 to $27,300
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,500 – $7,700 | $7,150 – $9,350 | $8,800 – $11,000 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,600 – $9,250 | $8,550 – $11,200 | $10,600 – $13,200 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $14,600 – $20,400 | $18,900 – $24,800 | $23,300 – $29,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $18,200 – $25,500 | $23,600 – $30,900 | $29,100 – $36,400 |
Chico 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, Chico Univ Farm (5 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 Chico are October through June: 9 of 12. Outside them, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Chico gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (5.1 inches in February). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 99 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 | 36 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 45 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 52 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 57 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 55 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 47 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 40 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
Planning more than one job in Chico?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chico wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, wood deck comes out highest (+11%) and concrete patio lowest (+9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,400 – $16,800 | +11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,350 | +9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +11% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +10% |
Is Chico 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 $20,500 to $21,900 across Chico and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $13,600 – $27,300 | $20,500 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $14,000 – $28,100 | $21,100 | +3% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $13,600 – $27,300 | $20,500 | level |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $14,600 – $29,200 | $21,900 | +7% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $14,300 – $28,600 | $21,400 | +5% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $14,600 – $29,300 | $21,900 | +7% |
| California (statewide) | $14,200 – $28,500 | $21,300 | +4% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chico ranks #29 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chico is 4% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $14,200 – $28,400 | $21,300 | +4% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $16,000 – $32,000 | $24,000 | +17% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $13,500 – $27,000 | $20,200 | −1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +2% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $14,800 – $29,700 | $22,300 | +9% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $14,000 – $28,100 | $21,100 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chico against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | 79,510 jobs | $13,900 – $27,800 | $20,800 | +2% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $14,600 – $29,200 | $21,900 | +7% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −12% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,000 | −12% |
Add-ons priced for Chico
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.12 for Chico, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.19) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $2,000 – $6,050 |
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 $17,800 to $23,200 for Chico, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Chico, CA: 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 Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Chico?
For 300 sq ft, expect $13,600 to $27,300 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,800 to $23,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Chico?
About $45.50 to $90.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $21,100, which is 3% more than Chico ($20,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $12,800 out of $20,500. Materials are 37% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Chico?
$14,600 to $29,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Chico?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Chico area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chico expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 4% below the California statewide estimate ($21,300 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chico?
The BLS median is $34.75 an hour in the Chico area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.79 to $38.46.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Chico?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $13,600 to $19,100 and premium work $21,900 to $27,300. 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 Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through June. May and June 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 Chico?
$2,000 to $6,050 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Chico
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