Composite deck cost in Rockford, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $13,200 – $26,500
- Per sq ft
- $44 – $88
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #42
- 1 = most expensive
Rockford homeowners pay roughly $13,200 to $26,500 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $44 to $88 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Rockford is 10% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $34.99 an hour in the Rockford area, 20% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Rockford, IL, standard level
$17,200 to $22,600
About $57 to $75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 66% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $11,300 | $14,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $17,200 | $22,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Rockford, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 34% |
| Labor | $8,700 | $13,100 | $17,400 | 66% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $140 | 0% |
| Total | $13,200 | $19,900 | $26,500 | 100% |
Why Rockford prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Rockford wages are 1.21 times the national level. Labor makes up about 66% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rockford metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,750, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.2) and land at $45 to $140.
Composite deck: what moves the price in Rockford
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.
What nearby projects cost in Rockford
Because every project leans on different trades, Rockford's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +13% and gutters +5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,950 – $16,000 | +6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,600 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,350 | +5% |
Add-ons priced for Rockford
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Rockford by the average of the local wage index (1.21) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.07. 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) | $1,950 – $5,800 |
Is Rockford cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Rockford. Racine is the lowest at about $18,000 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 70 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, ILthis page | $13,200 – $26,500 | $19,900 | |
| Janesville, WI25 miles | $13,400 – $26,900 | $20,200 | +1% |
| Madison, WI60 miles | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | −7% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | −6% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,000 | −9% |
| Milwaukee, WI70 miles | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | −6% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $14,400 – $28,900 | $21,600 | +9% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Rockford comes in at #42 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Rockford is 8% below the Illinois figure.
Other Illinois metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $14,700 – $29,500 | $22,100 | +11% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $13,600 – $27,300 | $20,500 | +3% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $12,700 – $25,500 | $19,100 | −4% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $13,700 – $27,500 | $20,600 | +4% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $13,600 – $27,200 | $20,400 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Rockford's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rockford against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | −12% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $12,400 – $24,700 | $18,500 | −7% |
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | −17% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $12,100 – $24,300 | $18,200 | −8% |
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 Rockford is 1.21 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $34.99 an hour, which is 20% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.33 and $47.16 an hour. BLS counts 810 of them working in the area, 58.8 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 $28.07 an hour, 24% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.55 and $38.91 an hour. About 830 work in the metro. That is 60.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($47.16 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,600. At the 25th percentile ($27.33) it shrinks by about $2,250. The total moves by 18.2% or 11.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 137,650 jobs in the Rockford area. That makes it the 161st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $27.33 | $34.99 | $47.16 | $29.12 | 1.20 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.55 | $28.07 | $38.91 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.21 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Rockford
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rockford 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
$13,200 to $18,600
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$17,200 to $22,600
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$21,200 to $26,500
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,350 – $7,450 | $6,950 – $9,100 | $8,550 – $10,700 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,400 – $8,950 | $8,300 – $10,900 | $10,200 – $12,800 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $14,100 – $19,800 | $18,400 – $24,000 | $22,600 – $28,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $17,600 – $24,700 | $23,000 – $30,000 | $28,300 – $35,300 |
When to schedule composite deck in Rockford
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Rockford Gtr Rockford Ap (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 Rockford (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.
Rockford gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.4 and 2.3 inches. The station averages about 15 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 | 29 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 28 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 60 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 31 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 34 | 20 | 1.9 | Cold |
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 $17,200 to $22,600 for Rockford, IL is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Rockford, IL: 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 Rockford: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Rockford?
For 300 sq ft, expect $13,200 to $26,500 in the Rockford area. A standard-spec job lands at $17,200 to $22,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Rockford?
About $44 to $88 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Rockford or Janesville?
Janesville is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $20,200, which is 1% more than Rockford ($19,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rockford?
About 66% at the midpoint, or $13,100 out of $19,900. Materials are 34% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Rockford?
$14,100 to $28,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Rockford?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $140 for fees in the Rockford area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rockford expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Illinois?
Rockford is 8% below the Illinois statewide estimate ($21,600 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Rockford?
The BLS median is $34.99 an hour in the Rockford area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.33 to $47.16.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Rockford?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $13,200 to $18,600 and premium work $21,200 to $26,500. 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 Rockford?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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 Rockford?
$1,950 to $5,800 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Rockford
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