Composite deck cost in Dubuque, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,700 – $23,500
- Per sq ft
- $39 – $78
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #130
- 1 = most expensive
Dubuque homeowners pay roughly $11,700 to $23,500 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $39 to $78 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Dubuque is almost level. 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 Dubuque, IA, standard level
$15,300 to $20,000
About $50.50 to $66.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $9,350 | $12,200 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $15,300 | $20,000 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Dubuque, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 38% |
| Labor | $7,200 | $10,800 | $14,400 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $85 | $130 | 0% |
| Total | $11,700 | $17,600 | $23,500 | 100% |
Why Dubuque 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 $28.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Dubuque is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 61% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dubuque metro is 93.7 (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 (87.3) and land at $45 to $130.
Planning more than one job in Dubuque?
Because every project leans on different trades, Dubuque's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +1% and gutters −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,300 – $14,600 | −4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,900 | −2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,500 | +1% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | −4% |
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 Dubuque is 1.00 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.89 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.41 and $30.47 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 44.5 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 $23.46 an hour, 4% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $28.85 an hour. About 500 work in the metro. That is 85.5 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 ($30.47 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $470. At the 25th percentile ($23.41) it shrinks by about $1,650. The total moves by 2.7% or 9.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 58,470 jobs in the Dubuque area. That makes it the 292nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.41 | $28.89 | $30.47 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.37 | $23.46 | $28.85 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
When to schedule composite deck in Dubuque
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dubuque Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Dubuque (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March 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.
Dubuque gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 27 | 11 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 28 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 32 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Optional extras in Dubuque
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Dubuque by the average of the local wage index (1.00) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.97. 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) | $1,750 – $5,250 |
How Dubuque compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Dubuque. Iowa City is the lowest at about $16,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 75 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IAthis page | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA45 miles | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA75 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −9% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +2% |
| Madison, WI80 miles | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +5% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −3% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $11,500 – $23,100 | $17,300 | −2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Dubuque comes in at #130 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Dubuque is 2% above the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $11,600 – $23,300 | $17,500 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −9% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | −3% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,400 | −7% |
Cities with a workforce like Dubuque's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dubuque against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona, PA | 58,650 jobs | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | level |
| Albany, GA | 58,390 jobs | $9,400 – $18,900 | $14,100 | −20% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | +4% |
| Wheeling, WV | 58,130 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,300 | −8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Dubuque
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dubuque 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
$11,700 to $16,500
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,300 to $20,000
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$18,800 to $23,500
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,750 – $6,650 | $6,150 – $8,050 | $7,600 – $9,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,650 – $7,950 | $7,350 – $9,650 | $9,100 – $11,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,500 – $17,600 | $16,300 – $21,300 | $20,100 – $25,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,600 – $21,900 | $20,400 – $26,600 | $25,100 – $31,300 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Dubuque bid
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.
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 $15,300 to $20,000 for Dubuque, IA is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Dubuque, IA, $9
Multi-page report for Dubuque, IA: 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 Dubuque: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Dubuque?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,700 to $23,500 in the Dubuque area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,300 to $20,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Dubuque?
About $39 to $78 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 Dubuque or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $17,500, which is 1% less than Dubuque ($17,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dubuque?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $10,800 out of $17,600. Materials are 38% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Dubuque?
$12,500 to $25,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Dubuque?
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 Dubuque area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dubuque expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Iowa?
Dubuque is 2% 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 Dubuque?
The BLS median is $28.89 an hour in the Dubuque area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.41 to $30.47.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Dubuque?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,700 to $16,500 and premium work $18,800 to $23,500. 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 Dubuque?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Dubuque?
$1,750 to $5,250 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Dubuque
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