Composite deck cost in Iowa
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (300 sq ft)
- $11,500 – $23,100
- Per sq ft
- $38 – $76.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $18,100
- Metros covered
- 7
What does it cost to build a composite deck in Iowa? Plan on $11,500 to $23,100 for 300 sq ft. Wages (0.97x the US blend), materials (price index 93.7) and permit costs (87.8) put the state below the national midpoint by 4%.
Inside Iowa, the metros we cover range from $16,100 (Iowa City) to $18,000 (Davenport) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Iowa (statewide), standard level
$15,000 to $19,600
About $49.50 to $65 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $9,050 | $11,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $15,000 | $19,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Iowa
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 39% |
| Labor | $6,950 | $10,500 | $13,900 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $11,500 | $17,300 | $23,100 | 100% |
Add-ons priced for Iowa
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Iowa by the average of the local wage index (0.97) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.95. 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) | $1,700 – $5,150 |
If you are planning more than one job in Iowa
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Iowa wages and prices. Against national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (level) and wood deck lowest (−5%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,200 – $14,400 | −5% |
| 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 – $4,000 | −4% |
Which Iowa city is cheapest for composite deck?
4 of the 7 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $17,300, and the top-to-bottom gap is 12%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (300 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +4% |
| Des Moines, IA | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | +3% |
| Dubuque, IA | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | +1% |
| Waterloo, IA | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −1% |
| Sioux City, IA | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,400 | −5% |
| Iowa City, IA | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −7% |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Iowa
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.
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.
Wages behind the Iowa number
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 2 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.97 for Iowa.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $27.75 an hour, which is 5% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.91 and $31.69 an hour. BLS counts 5,770 of them working in the state, 37.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.31 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.90 and $28.11 an hour. About 13,780 work in the state. That is 88.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($31.69 an hour) would add about $1,150 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($22.91) would take off about $1,450. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 1,559,240 jobs across Iowa (May 2025), which is 1.0% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $22.91 | $27.75 | $31.69 | $29.12 | 0.95 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.90 | $23.31 | $28.11 | $22.66 | 1.03 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
How Iowa compares with nearby states
Iowa ranks 31 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for composite deck, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $23,800 and the cheapest Oklahoma at $15,300, both for 300 sq ft at the midpoint. Iowa sits at $17,300. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 190 miles away | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | −6% |
| Missouri | 220 miles away | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | +6% |
| Wisconsin | 230 miles away | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | +6% |
| Minnesota | 240 miles away | $12,900 – $25,800 | $19,400 | +12% |
| Illinois | 240 miles away | $14,400 – $28,900 | $21,600 | +25% |
Quality levels and sizes in Iowa
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Iowa wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$11,500 to $16,100
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,000 to $19,600
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$18,400 to $23,100
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,650 – $6,500 | $6,050 – $7,900 | $7,450 – $9,300 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,550 – $7,800 | $7,250 – $9,450 | $8,900 – $11,100 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,300 – $17,200 | $16,000 – $20,900 | $19,700 – $24,600 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,300 – $21,500 | $20,000 – $26,100 | $24,600 – $30,700 |
Weather windows across Iowa
Season matters for composite deck. For each Iowa metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for exterior installation.
Des Moines has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Iowa at 9 months (March through November); Dubuque has the shortest at 8 (April through November). Rainfall runs from 29 inches a year in Sioux City to 38 inches in Dubuque.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 14 | 86 | 37 | 9: March through November |
| Davenport | 14 | 84 | 36 | 9: March through November |
| Cedar Rapids | 11 | 83 | 36 | 9: March through November |
| Iowa City | 15 | 86 | 36 | 9: March through November |
| Waterloo | 11 | 85 | 36 | 9: March through November |
| Sioux City | 10 | 85 | 29 | 9: March through November |
| Dubuque | 11 | 82 | 38 | 8: April through November |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed composite deck report for Iowa, $9
The report lays out the composite deck numbers for Iowa 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 Iowa: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Iowa?
$11,500 to $23,100 for 300 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Iowa can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Iowa is cheapest for composite deck?
Iowa City at about $16,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft). The priciest is Davenport at $18,000.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Iowa than the US average?
It is 4% cheaper: $17,300 against $18,100 for 300 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Iowa?
About 60% ($10,500). Materials are 39%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.97x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Iowa?
The BLS statewide median is $27.75 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.91 to $31.69.
+Where does Iowa rank for composite deck costs?
31st most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $17,300 for 300 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Iowa?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,500 to $16,100 and premium work $18,400 to $23,100. Basic means: entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape. Premium means: premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners.
+Does the season matter for composite deck in Iowa?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Iowa metros we cover, Des Moines has the most comfortable months (9 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
+What does "add a deck railing" add in Iowa?
$1,700 to $5,150 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the statewide wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck by city in Iowa
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