Composite deck cost in Dalton, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $9,800 – $19,700
- Per sq ft
- $32.50 – $65
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −19%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #291
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Dalton, GA usually costs $9,800 to $19,700 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $32.50 to $65 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,350 less. Carpenters earn a median of $20.55 an hour in the Dalton area, 29% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your composite deck cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Dalton, GA, standard level
$12,800 to $16,700
About $42.50 to $55.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $6,700 | $8,750 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $12,800 | $16,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Dalton, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 47% |
| Labor | $5,150 | $7,700 | $10,300 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $9,800 | $14,700 | $19,700 | 100% |
Why Dalton prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $20.55 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Dalton is 0.71 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 52% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dalton is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,950 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.8: $45 to $130.
Extras that change the Dalton total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.84 for Dalton, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.71) 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) | $1,500 – $4,550 |
Related projects, priced for Dalton
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dalton wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−8%) and wood deck lowest (−15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,450 – $12,900 | −15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,400 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,600 – $4,700 | −14% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,850 | −8% |
What local crews earn in Dalton
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 Dalton the blend is 0.71.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $20.55 an hour, 29% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $15.16 and $22.17 an hour. About 40 work in the metro. That is 6.1 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 $16.98 an hour, which is 25% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $12.27 and $20.63 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the area, 36.8 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 $480 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,600. That is a swing of roughly 10.9% to 3.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dalton has 65,300 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 276th 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% | $15.16 | $20.55 | $22.17 | $29.12 | 0.71 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $12.27 | $16.98 | $20.63 | $22.66 | 0.75 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.71 | |||||
Why two Dalton quotes can differ
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.
Dalton: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dalton. 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
$9,800 to $13,800
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$12,800 to $16,700
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$15,700 to $19,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,950 – $5,550 | $5,150 – $6,750 | $6,350 – $7,950 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,750 – $6,650 | $6,150 – $8,100 | $7,600 – $9,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,500 – $14,700 | $13,600 – $17,800 | $16,800 – $21,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,100 – $18,300 | $17,000 – $22,200 | $20,900 – $26,200 |
Dalton against nearby metros and the rest of Georgia
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Dalton. Gainesville comes closest at about $15,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton, GAthis page | $9,800 – $19,700 | $14,700 | |
| Chattanooga, TN35 miles | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | +10% |
| Gainesville, GA70 miles | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | +4% |
| Atlanta, GA80 miles | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +12% |
| Knoxville, TN95 miles | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | +11% |
| Huntsville, AL105 miles | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | +7% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | +9% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +23% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dalton ranks #291 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dalton is 8% below the Georgia figure.
Elsewhere in Georgia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +12% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $11,500 – $23,000 | $17,200 | +17% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $10,100 – $20,200 | $15,200 | +3% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $10,100 – $20,100 | $15,100 | +2% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | +4% |
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $10,100 – $20,200 | $15,100 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dalton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro, CA | 65,430 jobs | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +41% |
| Terre Haute, IN | 65,120 jobs | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | +19% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 65,460 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | +10% |
| Muskegon, MI | 62,340 jobs | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +8% |
Dalton 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, Chattanooga Lovell Ap (20 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 Dalton are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Dalton gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.9 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 58 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 | 32 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 70 | 3.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 35 | 5.3 | Workable |
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 $12,800 to $16,700 for Dalton, GA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Dalton, GA: 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 Dalton: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Dalton?
For 300 sq ft, expect $9,800 to $19,700 in the Dalton area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,800 to $16,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Dalton?
About $32.50 to $65 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 Dalton or Chattanooga?
Chattanooga is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $16,200, which is 10% more than Dalton ($14,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dalton?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $7,700 out of $14,700. Materials are 47% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Dalton?
$10,500 to $21,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Dalton?
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 Dalton area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dalton expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Georgia?
Dalton is 8% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($16,000 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Dalton?
The BLS median is $20.55 an hour in the Dalton area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $15.16 to $22.17.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Dalton?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $9,800 to $13,800 and premium work $15,700 to $19,700. 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 Dalton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. 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 Dalton?
$1,500 to $4,550 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Dalton
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