Composite deck cost in Houma, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,300 – $20,500
- Per sq ft
- $34 – $68
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −15%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #272
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Houma, plan on $10,300 to $20,500 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $34 to $68 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 15% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $23.18 an hour in the Houma area, 20% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Houma, LA, standard level
$13,300 to $17,500
About $44 to $58 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $7,450 | $9,700 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $13,300 | $17,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Houma, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 44% |
| Labor | $5,700 | $8,550 | $11,400 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $10,300 | $15,400 | $20,500 | 100% |
Where the Houma price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Houma wages are 0.79 times the national level. Labor makes up about 56% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Houma 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 (85.1) and land at $45 to $130.
Houma against nearby metros and the rest of Louisiana
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 $15,400 to $16,500 across Houma and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houma, LAthis page | $10,300 – $20,500 | $15,400 | |
| New Orleans, LA75 miles | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | +3% |
| Baton Rouge, LA85 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +7% |
| Lafayette, LA90 miles | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | level |
| Slidell, LA90 miles | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Gulfport, MS135 miles | $10,600 – $21,200 | $15,900 | +3% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | +2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +18% |
Across 300 US metros, Houma comes in at #272 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Houma is 2% below the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | +3% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +7% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | level |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $10,200 – $20,400 | $15,300 | −1% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | level |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Houma's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houma against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | +11% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +7% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +17% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | +5% |
Why two Houma quotes can differ
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 Houma
Because every project leans on different trades, Houma's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gutters runs −10% and concrete patio −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,600 – $13,200 | −13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,450 | −13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
Extras that change the Houma total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Houma by the average of the local wage index (0.79) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.87. 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) | $1,550 – $4,650 |
Cost by quality level and size in Houma
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Houma 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
$10,300 to $14,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$13,300 to $17,500
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$16,400 to $20,500
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,150 – $5,800 | $5,400 – $7,050 | $6,650 – $8,300 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,950 – $6,950 | $6,450 – $8,450 | $7,950 – $9,950 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,900 – $15,300 | $14,200 – $18,600 | $17,500 – $21,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,700 – $19,100 | $17,800 – $23,200 | $21,900 – $27,400 |
Climate in Houma: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Houma (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Houma (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Houma gets about 65 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (9.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and December are the driest, at 4.0 and 4.2 inches. The station averages about 76 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 | 64 | 44 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 54 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 78 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 67 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 73 | 8.4 | Hot |
| Jul | 91 | 74 | 9.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 75 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 71 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 52 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 46 | 4.2 | Workable |
Houma labor market for composite deck
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 Houma is 0.79 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $23.18 an hour, which is 20% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.76 and $28.31 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 47.9 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 $17.74 an hour, 22% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.80 and $21.44 an hour. About 880 work in the metro. That is 105.5 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 ($28.31 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,500. At the 25th percentile ($21.76) it shrinks by about $420. The total moves by 9.9% or 2.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 83,440 jobs in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux area. That makes it the 230th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $21.76 | $23.18 | $28.31 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.80 | $17.74 | $21.44 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
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 $13,300 to $17,500 for Houma, LA is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Houma, LA, $9
Multi-page report for Houma, LA: 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 Houma: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Houma?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,300 to $20,500 in the Houma area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,300 to $17,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Houma?
About $34 to $68 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 Houma or New Orleans?
New Orleans is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,800, which is 3% more than Houma ($15,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houma?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $8,550 out of $15,400. Materials are 44% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Houma?
$10,900 to $21,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Houma?
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 Houma area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houma expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Houma is 2% below the Louisiana statewide estimate ($15,700 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Houma?
The BLS median is $23.18 an hour in the Houma area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.76 to $28.31.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Houma?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,300 to $14,400 and premium work $16,400 to $20,500. 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 Houma?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. April and December 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 Houma?
$1,550 to $4,650 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Houma
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