Composite deck cost in Des Moines, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,900 – $23,900
- Per sq ft
- $39.50 – $79
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #117
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Des Moines, IA usually costs $11,900 to $23,900 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $39.50 to $79 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Des Moines, IA, standard level
$15,500 to $20,300
About $51.50 to $67 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $9,550 | $12,500 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $15,500 | $20,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Des Moines, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 38% |
| Labor | $7,350 | $11,000 | $14,700 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $11,900 | $17,900 | $23,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Des Moines number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.50 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Des Moines is 1.02 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 62% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Des Moines is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,750 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.7: $45 to $140.
Add-ons priced for Des Moines
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Des Moines, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.02) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,750 – $5,300 |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Des Moines
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.
How Des Moines compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $16,100 to $17,900 across Des Moines and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IAthis page | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | |
| Waterloo, IA95 miles | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −4% |
| Iowa City, IA110 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −10% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA115 miles | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | −2% |
| Omaha, NE120 miles | $11,100 – $22,200 | $16,600 | −7% |
| Sioux City, IA145 miles | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,400 | −8% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $11,500 – $23,100 | $17,300 | −3% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Des Moines ranks #117 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Des Moines is 3% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +1% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | −2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −10% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −4% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,400 | −8% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Des Moines against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $12,500 – $25,100 | $18,800 | +5% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −11% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,400 | −2% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | −9% |
What local crews earn in Des Moines
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 Des Moines the blend is 1.02.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $29.50 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.03 and $35.68 an hour. About 1,810 work in the metro. That is 44.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.03 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $28.91 an hour. BLS counts 3,510 of them working in the area, 86.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,850 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,600. That is a swing of roughly 9.1% to 10.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Des Moines-West Des Moines has 404,130 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 64th 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% | $24.03 | $29.50 | $35.68 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.67 | $24.03 | $28.91 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Des Moines
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Des Moines. 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
$11,900 to $16,700
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,500 to $20,300
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,100 to $23,900
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,800 – $6,700 | $6,250 – $8,200 | $7,700 – $9,650 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,750 – $8,050 | $7,450 – $9,800 | $9,200 – $11,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,700 – $17,800 | $16,500 – $21,600 | $20,300 – $25,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,900 – $22,200 | $20,600 – $27,000 | $25,400 – $31,800 |
Des Moines 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, Des Moines Intl Ap (5 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 Des Moines are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Des Moines gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.2 and 1.9 inches. The station averages about 22 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 | 31 | 14 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 52 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.6 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Des Moines
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Des Moines wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+5%) and gutters lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,350 – $14,800 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,750 | +5% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | −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 $15,500 to $20,300 for Des Moines, IA is attached.
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Composite deck in Des Moines: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Des Moines?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,900 to $23,900 in the Des Moines area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,500 to $20,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Des Moines?
About $39.50 to $79 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 Des Moines or Waterloo?
Waterloo is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,100, which is 4% less than Des Moines ($17,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Des Moines?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $11,000 out of $17,900. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Des Moines?
$12,700 to $25,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Des Moines?
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 Des Moines area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Des Moines expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Iowa?
Des Moines is 3% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($17,300 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Des Moines?
The BLS median is $29.50 an hour in the Des Moines area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.03 to $35.68.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Des Moines?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,900 to $16,700 and premium work $19,100 to $23,900. 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 Des Moines?
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 Des Moines?
$1,750 to $5,300 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Des Moines
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