Composite deck cost in Fort Collins, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,700 – $23,400
- Per sq ft
- $38.50 – $77.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #136
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Fort Collins area: $11,700 to $23,400 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 3% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $28.04 an hour in the Fort Collins area, 4% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO, standard level
$15,200 to $19,900
About $50.50 to $66 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $9,100 | $11,900 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $15,200 | $19,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,900 | $9,200 | 39% |
| Labor | $7,000 | $10,500 | $14,000 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $11,700 | $17,500 | $23,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Fort Collins number
Labor is 60% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Fort Collins the blended ratio comes out at 0.97.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fort Collins is at 96.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,900 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.1: $50 to $150.
The best months for composite deck in Fort Collins
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ft Collins (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 Fort Collins are January through November: 11 of 12. Outside them, December has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Fort Collins gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.4 and 0.5 inches. The station averages about 29 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 | 45 | 18 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 47 | 21 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 56 | 29 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 35 | 2.1 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 53 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 59 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 57 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 36 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 26 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 44 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
Who does the work: Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins the blend is 0.97.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $28.04 an hour, 4% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.36 and $30.74 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 30.1 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 $22.86 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.83 and $27.15 an hour. BLS counts 930 of them working in the area, 54.9 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 $800 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,400. That is a swing of roughly 7.9% to 4.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fort Collins-Loveland has 169,430 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 138th 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% | $23.36 | $28.04 | $30.74 | $29.12 | 0.96 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $20.83 | $22.86 | $27.15 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Fort Collins
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fort Collins. 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
$11,700 to $16,300
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,200 to $19,900
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$18,700 to $23,400
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,700 – $6,600 | $6,100 – $8,000 | $7,550 – $9,450 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,600 – $7,900 | $7,350 – $9,600 | $9,050 – $11,300 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,400 – $17,400 | $16,200 – $21,200 | $19,900 – $24,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,500 – $21,800 | $20,200 – $26,400 | $24,900 – $31,100 |
Extras that change the Fort Collins total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.97 for Fort Collins, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.97) 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) | $1,750 – $5,200 |
How Fort Collins compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Fort Collins. Cheyenne is the lowest at about $17,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, COthis page | $11,700 – $23,400 | $17,500 | |
| Boulder, CO40 miles | $11,800 – $23,700 | $17,700 | +1% |
| Greeley, CO60 miles | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | −1% |
| Cheyenne, WY60 miles | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −2% |
| Denver, CO90 miles | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +8% |
| Colorado Springs, CO135 miles | $11,500 – $23,100 | $17,300 | −1% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | +5% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fort Collins ranks #136 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fort Collins is 5% below the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +8% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $11,500 – $23,100 | $17,300 | −1% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $11,800 – $23,700 | $17,700 | +1% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | −1% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $11,800 – $23,600 | $17,700 | +1% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Collins against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 170,820 jobs | $10,600 – $21,300 | $15,900 | −9% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +6% |
| Visalia, CA | 171,140 jobs | $12,700 – $25,400 | $19,000 | +9% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $9,800 – $19,700 | $14,700 | −16% |
Related projects, priced for Fort Collins
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Collins wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+2%) and gutters lowest (−6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,300 – $14,600 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −6% |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Fort Collins
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.
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 $15,200 to $19,900 for Fort Collins, CO is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Fort Collins, CO, $9
The report lays out the composite deck numbers for Fort Collins, CO line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Fort Collins: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Fort Collins?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,700 to $23,400 in the Fort Collins area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,200 to $19,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Fort Collins?
About $38.50 to $77.50 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 Fort Collins or Boulder?
Boulder is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,700, which is 1% more than Fort Collins ($17,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Collins?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $10,500 out of $17,500. Materials are 39% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Fort Collins?
$12,400 to $24,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Fort Collins?
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 Fort Collins area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Collins expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Colorado?
Fort Collins is 5% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($18,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Fort Collins?
The BLS median is $28.04 an hour in the Fort Collins area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.36 to $30.74.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Fort Collins?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,700 to $16,300 and premium work $18,700 to $23,400. 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 Collins?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are January through November. 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 Collins?
$1,750 to $5,200 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Fort Collins
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