Composite deck cost in Boise, ID
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,000 – $22,000
- Per sq ft
- $36.50 – $72.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #180
- 1 = most expensive
Boise homeowners pay roughly $11,000 to $22,000 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $36.50 to $72.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Boise is 9% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $24.45 an hour in the Boise area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Boise, ID, standard level
$14,300 to $18,700
About $47.50 to $62 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $8,150 | $10,700 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $14,300 | $18,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Boise, ID
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,900 | $9,250 | 42% |
| Labor | $6,300 | $9,450 | $12,600 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $11,000 | $16,500 | $22,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Boise number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Boise wages are 0.87 times the national level. Labor makes up about 57% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Boise metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,900, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.4) and land at $50 to $150.
Specs and site conditions that change a Boise bid
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.
When to schedule composite deck in Boise
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Boise Air Terminal (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through June and September through November are the stretches where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Boise (8 of 12 months). January and December have an average daytime high under 45°F; July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January 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.
Boise gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 18 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, May and December (1.5 inches in December). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.4 inches. The station averages about 55 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 | 39 | 26 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 29 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 56 | 35 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 40 | 1.2 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 54 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 93 | 62 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 61 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 80 | 53 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 42 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 32 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 1.5 | Cold |
Is Boise cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Boise. Ogden is the lowest at about $16,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 255 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, IDthis page | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | |
| Idaho Falls, ID190 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | +1% |
| Logan, UT235 miles | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −1% |
| Salt Lake City, UT235 miles | $11,800 – $23,700 | $17,800 | +8% |
| Bend, OR250 miles | $12,600 – $25,200 | $18,900 | +15% |
| Ogden, UT255 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,100 | −2% |
| Idaho (statewide) | $11,100 – $22,100 | $16,600 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Boise comes in at #180 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Boise is 1% below the Idaho figure.
Other Idaho metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | +1% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | +6% |
Cities with a workforce like Boise's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boise against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | −1% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −2% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −4% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | +10% |
Boise: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Boise 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
$11,000 to $15,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$14,300 to $18,700
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$17,600 to $22,000
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,400 – $6,200 | $5,750 – $7,550 | $7,100 – $8,850 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,300 – $7,400 | $6,900 – $9,000 | $8,500 – $10,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,700 – $16,400 | $15,200 – $19,900 | $18,700 – $23,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $14,600 – $20,400 | $19,000 – $24,800 | $23,400 – $29,200 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Boise is 0.87 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $24.45 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.63 and $30.30 an hour. BLS counts 4,080 of them working in the area, 104.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.84 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.98 and $25.18 an hour. About 4,700 work in the metro. That is 120.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.30 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,750. At the 25th percentile ($21.63) it shrinks by about $840. The total moves by 10.5% or 5.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 391,790 jobs in the Boise City area. That makes it the 67th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.25% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $21.63 | $24.45 | $30.30 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.98 | $22.84 | $25.18 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Boise
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Boise by the average of the local wage index (0.87) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.92. 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) | $1,650 – $4,950 |
Related projects, priced for Boise
Because every project leans on different trades, Boise's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs level and wood deck −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,950 – $14,000 | −8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,900 | −3% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | −3% |
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 $14,300 to $18,700 for Boise, ID is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Boise, ID: 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 Boise: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Boise?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,000 to $22,000 in the Boise area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,300 to $18,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Boise?
About $36.50 to $72.50 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 Boise or Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls is 190 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $16,600, which is 1% more than Boise ($16,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boise?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $9,450 out of $16,500. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Boise?
$11,700 to $23,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Boise?
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 Boise area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boise expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Idaho?
Boise is 1% below the Idaho statewide estimate ($16,600 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Idaho; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Boise?
The BLS median is $24.45 an hour in the Boise area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.63 to $30.30.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Boise?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,000 to $15,400 and premium work $17,600 to $22,000. 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 Boise?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through November. June and September 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 Boise?
$1,650 to $4,950 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Boise
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