Composite deck cost in Merced, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $13,900 – $27,800
- Per sq ft
- $46 – $92
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #22
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Merced area: $13,900 to $27,800 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% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $35.94 an hour in the Merced area, 23% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Merced, CA, standard level
$18,000 to $23,600
About $60 to $78.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,550 | $8,600 |
| Labor | $11,400 | $14,900 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $18,000 | $23,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Merced, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,050 | $7,550 | $10,100 | 36% |
| Labor | $8,750 | $13,200 | $17,500 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 0% |
| Total | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,800 | 100% |
Where the Merced 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 $35.94 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Merced is 1.22 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 63% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Merced 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 98.3: $50 to $150.
How Merced compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Merced. Fresno is the lowest at about $19,300 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CAthis page | $13,900 – $27,800 | $20,800 | |
| Modesto, CA30 miles | $14,000 – $28,000 | $21,000 | +1% |
| San Jose, CA40 miles | $14,800 – $29,700 | $22,300 | +7% |
| Stockton, CA60 miles | $13,400 – $26,900 | $20,200 | −3% |
| Fresno, CA60 miles | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | −8% |
| Santa Cruz, CA70 miles | $14,300 – $28,600 | $21,400 | +3% |
| California (statewide) | $14,200 – $28,500 | $21,300 | +2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Merced ranks #22 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Merced is 2% 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 | +2% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $16,000 – $32,000 | $24,000 | +15% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $13,500 – $27,000 | $20,200 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +1% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $14,800 – $29,700 | $22,300 | +7% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $14,000 – $28,100 | $21,100 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Merced against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −14% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $13,600 – $27,300 | $20,500 | −2% |
| Las Cruces, NM | 80,000 jobs | $11,300 – $22,600 | $17,000 | −19% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $14,600 – $29,200 | $21,900 | +5% |
Who does the work: Merced 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 Merced the blend is 1.22.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $35.94 an hour, 23% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.11 and $39.05 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 44.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $26.17 an hour, which is 15% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $33.81 an hour. BLS counts 380 of them working in the area, 47.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $920 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,600. That is a swing of roughly 12.6% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Merced has 79,510 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 240th 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% | $27.11 | $35.94 | $39.05 | $29.12 | 1.23 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.73 | $26.17 | $33.81 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.22 | |||||
Extras that change the Merced total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.14 for Merced, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.22) 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) | $2,050 – $6,150 |
What nearby projects cost in Merced
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Merced wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, wood deck comes out highest (+12%) and concrete patio lowest (+5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,500 – $17,000 | +12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | +5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +10% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +9% |
Cost by quality level and size in Merced
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Merced. 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
$13,900 to $19,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$18,000 to $23,600
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$22,200 to $27,800
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,600 – $7,850 | $7,250 – $9,500 | $8,950 – $11,200 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,700 – $9,400 | $8,700 – $11,400 | $10,700 – $13,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $14,800 – $20,700 | $19,200 – $25,200 | $23,700 – $29,600 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $18,500 – $25,900 | $24,000 – $31,400 | $29,600 – $37,000 |
The best months for composite deck in Merced
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Merced Muni Ap (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 Merced are October through May: 8 of 12. Outside them, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Merced gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.4 inches in January). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 0.6 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 100 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 | 37 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 39 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 42 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 45 | 1.1 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 58 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 96 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 57 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 49 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 41 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 36 | 1.9 | Workable |
Why two Merced quotes can differ
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).
Labor
Labor for composite is $24-$48 per sq ft, higher than wood because the boards need extra parts and more careful assembly.
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 $18,000 to $23,600 for Merced, CA is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Merced, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Merced, 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 Merced: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Merced?
For 300 sq ft, expect $13,900 to $27,800 in the Merced area. A standard-spec job lands at $18,000 to $23,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Merced?
About $46 to $92 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 Merced or Modesto?
Modesto is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $21,000, which is 1% more than Merced ($20,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Merced?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $13,200 out of $20,800. Materials are 36% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Merced?
$14,800 to $29,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Merced?
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 Merced area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Merced expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of California?
Merced is 2% 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 Merced?
The BLS median is $35.94 an hour in the Merced area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.11 to $39.05.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Merced?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $13,900 to $19,400 and premium work $22,200 to $27,800. 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 Merced?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. May 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 Merced?
$2,050 to $6,150 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Merced
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