Composite deck cost in Topeka, KS
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,800 – $21,700
- Per sq ft
- $36 – $72
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #195
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Topeka area: $10,800 to $21,700 for 300 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 10% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $24.62 an hour in the Topeka area, 15% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Topeka, KS, standard level
$14,100 to $18,500
About $47 to $61 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $8,150 | $10,700 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $14,100 | $18,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Topeka, KS
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,050 | 42% |
| Labor | $6,300 | $9,400 | $12,600 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $10,800 | $16,300 | $21,700 | 100% |
Where the Topeka price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Topeka wages are 0.87 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Topeka is at 94.0 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 88.8: $45 to $130.
The best months for composite deck in Topeka
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Topeka Muni 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 Topeka are February through June and August through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January and December have an average daytime high under 45°F, and July has 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.
Topeka gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 17 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.2 inches in May). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 1.3 and 1.8 inches. The station averages about 50 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 | 40 | 20 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 24 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Mar | 57 | 34 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 67 | 44 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 55 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 65 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 69 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 67 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 58 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 45 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 33 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 44 | 24 | 1.5 | Cold |
Who does the work: Topeka trade wages
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 Topeka the blend is 0.87.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $24.62 an hour, 15% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.76 and $29.63 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 31.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $22.15 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.78 and $23.66 an hour. BLS counts 810 of them working in the area, 70.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,500 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $550. That is a swing of roughly 3.4% to 9.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Topeka has 115,750 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 188th 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% | $22.76 | $24.62 | $29.63 | $29.12 | 0.85 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.78 | $22.15 | $23.66 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Topeka bid
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Topeka
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Topeka. 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
$10,800 to $15,200
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$14,100 to $18,500
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$17,400 to $21,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,350 – $6,100 | $5,700 – $7,450 | $7,000 – $8,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,200 – $7,350 | $6,800 – $8,900 | $8,400 – $10,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,600 – $16,200 | $15,000 – $19,700 | $18,500 – $23,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $14,400 – $20,200 | $18,800 – $24,600 | $23,100 – $28,900 |
Related projects, priced for Topeka
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Topeka wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−3%) and wood deck lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,850 – $13,800 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,750 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,250 | −3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −5% |
How Topeka 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 $16,000 to $18,000 across Topeka and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KSthis page | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,300 | |
| Kansas City, MO75 miles | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +11% |
| Wichita, KS125 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −2% |
| Lincoln, NE135 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −1% |
| Joplin, MO150 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −1% |
| Omaha, NE155 miles | $11,100 – $22,200 | $16,600 | +2% |
| Kansas (statewide) | $11,300 – $22,700 | $17,000 | +5% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Topeka ranks #195 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Topeka is 4% below the Kansas figure.
Elsewhere in Kansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | 308,570 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Topeka against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $10,100 – $20,100 | $15,100 | −7% |
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $9,900 – $19,900 | $14,900 | −9% |
| Longview, TX | 118,060 jobs | $10,100 – $20,200 | $15,200 | −7% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $11,400 – $22,900 | $17,100 | +5% |
Extras that change the Topeka total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.91 for Topeka, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.87) 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) | $1,650 – $4,900 |
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 $14,100 to $18,500 for Topeka, KS is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Topeka, KS: 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 Topeka: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Topeka?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,800 to $21,700 in the Topeka area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,100 to $18,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Topeka?
About $36 to $72 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 Topeka or Kansas City?
Kansas City is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,000, which is 11% more than Topeka ($16,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Topeka?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $9,400 out of $16,300. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Topeka?
$11,600 to $23,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Topeka?
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 Topeka area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Topeka expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Kansas?
Topeka is 4% below the Kansas statewide estimate ($17,000 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Kansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Topeka?
The BLS median is $24.62 an hour in the Topeka area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.76 to $29.63.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Topeka?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,800 to $15,200 and premium work $17,400 to $21,700. 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 Topeka?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and August through November. February 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 Topeka?
$1,650 to $4,900 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Topeka
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