Composite deck cost in Hartford, CT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,600 – $25,300
- Per sq ft
- $42 – $83.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #55
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Hartford, plan on $12,600 to $25,300 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $42 to $83.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $31.14 an hour in the Hartford area, 7% above the US median of $29.12.
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Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Hartford, CT, standard level
$16,400 to $21,500
About $54.50 to $71 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,050 | $7,950 |
| Labor | $10,200 | $13,400 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $16,400 | $21,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Hartford, CT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $7,000 | $9,350 | 37% |
| Labor | $7,900 | $11,800 | $15,800 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $12,600 | $18,900 | $25,300 | 100% |
Where the Hartford price comes from
Labor is 62% 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 Hartford the blended ratio comes out at 1.09.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Hartford metro is 97.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $7,000, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.7) and land at $50 to $150.
What nearby projects cost in Hartford
Because every project leans on different trades, Hartford's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +14% and wood deck +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,750 – $15,600 | +3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,200 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,400 – $6,250 | +14% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,450 | +7% |
Why two Hartford 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.
Climate in Hartford: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Hartford Brainard Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Hartford (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February and 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.
Hartford gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.2 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 17 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 | 37 | 20 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 40 | 22 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 30 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 40 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 64 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 56 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 44 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 35 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 42 | 26 | 3.8 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Hartford
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Hartford 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
$12,600 to $17,700
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$16,400 to $21,500
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$20,200 to $25,300
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,050 – $7,100 | $6,600 – $8,650 | $8,150 – $10,200 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,100 – $8,550 | $7,900 – $10,400 | $9,750 – $12,200 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,400 – $18,800 | $17,500 – $22,900 | $21,500 – $26,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,800 – $23,500 | $21,800 – $28,600 | $26,900 – $33,600 |
Hartford 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 Hartford is 1.09 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $31.14 an hour, which is 7% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.29 and $40.07 an hour. BLS counts 1,660 of them working in the area, 27.7 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 $27.06 an hour, 19% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.76 and $35.02 an hour. About 2,430 work in the metro. That is 40.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($40.07 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,650. At the 25th percentile ($28.29) it shrinks by about $850. The total moves by 14.0% or 4.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 599,770 jobs in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford area. That makes it the 47th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.39% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.29 | $31.14 | $40.07 | $29.12 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.76 | $27.06 | $35.02 | $22.66 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Hartford
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Hartford by the average of the local wage index (1.09) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 1.03. 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) | $1,850 – $5,600 |
Hartford against nearby metros and the rest of Connecticut
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Hartford. Waterbury is the lowest at about $18,600 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford, CTthis page | $12,600 – $25,300 | $18,900 | |
| Norwich, CT25 miles | $12,400 – $24,900 | $18,700 | −1% |
| Waterbury, CT30 miles | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | −2% |
| Springfield, MA30 miles | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +9% |
| New Haven, CT30 miles | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | +2% |
| Amherst, MA45 miles | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | +2% |
| Connecticut (statewide) | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | level |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Hartford comes in at #55 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Hartford is 0% above the Connecticut figure.
Other Connecticut metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $12,500 – $25,100 | $18,800 | level |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | +2% |
| Waterbury, CT | 160,710 jobs | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | −2% |
| Norwich, CT | 126,450 jobs | $12,400 – $24,900 | $18,700 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Hartford's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Hartford against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,300 | −14% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,400 | −8% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −13% |
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $12,400 – $24,900 | $18,700 | −1% |
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 $16,400 to $21,500 for Hartford, CT is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Hartford, CT: 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 Hartford: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Hartford?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,600 to $25,300 in the Hartford area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,400 to $21,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Hartford?
About $42 to $83.50 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 Hartford or Norwich?
Norwich is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,700, which is 1% less than Hartford ($18,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Hartford?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $11,800 out of $18,900. Materials are 37% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Hartford?
$13,400 to $26,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Hartford?
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 Hartford area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Hartford expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Connecticut?
Hartford is 0% above the Connecticut statewide estimate ($18,900 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Connecticut; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Hartford?
The BLS median is $31.14 an hour in the Hartford area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.29 to $40.07.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Hartford?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,600 to $17,700 and premium work $20,200 to $25,300. 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 Hartford?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. May and November 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 Hartford?
$1,850 to $5,600 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Hartford
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