Composite deck cost in Lafayette, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,200 – $20,500
- Per sq ft
- $34 – $68
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −15%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #277
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Lafayette area: $10,200 to $20,500 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 15% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $22.81 an hour in the Lafayette area, 22% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Lafayette, LA, standard level
$13,300 to $17,400
About $44 to $57.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $7,400 | $9,700 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $13,300 | $17,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Lafayette, 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 | $10,200 | $15,400 | $20,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Lafayette number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Lafayette wages are 0.79 times the national level. Labor makes up about 56% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lafayette 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 87.2: $45 to $130.
Who does the work: Lafayette 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 Lafayette the blend is 0.79.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $22.81 an hour, 22% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $18.55 and $27.69 an hour. About 580 work in the metro. That is 32.3 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 $18.57 an hour, which is 18% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.31 and $22.95 an hour. BLS counts 1,780 of them working in the area, 99.1 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 $1,450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,250. That is a swing of roughly 8.2% to 9.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lafayette has 179,570 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 129th 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% | $18.55 | $22.81 | $27.69 | $29.12 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.31 | $18.57 | $22.95 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Composite deck: what moves the price in Lafayette
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.
What nearby projects cost in Lafayette
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lafayette wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete patio comes out highest (−10%) and wood deck lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,600 – $13,200 | −13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Lafayette
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lafayette. 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
$10,200 to $14,300
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$13,300 to $17,400
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) | $4,100 – $5,800 | $5,350 – $7,050 | $6,600 – $8,300 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,950 – $6,950 | $6,450 – $8,400 | $7,900 – $9,900 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,900 – $15,300 | $14,200 – $18,600 | $17,500 – $21,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,600 – $19,100 | $17,700 – $23,200 | $21,800 – $27,300 |
Extras that change the Lafayette total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.86 for Lafayette, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.79) 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) | $1,550 – $4,650 |
How Lafayette compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Lafayette. Alexandria is the lowest at about $15,200 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LAthis page | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | |
| Lake Charles, LA65 miles | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Baton Rouge, LA70 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +8% |
| Houma, LA90 miles | $10,300 – $20,500 | $15,400 | level |
| Alexandria, LA95 miles | $10,100 – $20,300 | $15,200 | −1% |
| Beaumont, TX125 miles | $11,400 – $22,900 | $17,200 | +12% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | +2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +18% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lafayette ranks #277 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lafayette is 2% below the Louisiana figure.
Elsewhere in Louisiana
| 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 | +8% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $10,200 – $20,400 | $15,300 | −1% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | +1% |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lafayette against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +17% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | +5% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +8% |
| Anchorage, AK | 177,050 jobs | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,800 | +35% |
The best months for composite deck in Lafayette
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lafayette Rgnl 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 Lafayette are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Lafayette gets about 63 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 4.1 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 91 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 | 62 | 44 | 5.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 66 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 53 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 59 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 67 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 73 | 7.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 75 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 75 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 70 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 81 | 60 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 50 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 45 | 5.0 | Workable |
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 $17,400 for Lafayette, LA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Lafayette, 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 Lafayette: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Lafayette?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,200 to $20,500 in the Lafayette area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,300 to $17,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Lafayette?
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 Lafayette or Lake Charles?
Lake Charles is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,500, which is 1% more than Lafayette ($15,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lafayette?
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 Lafayette?
$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 Lafayette?
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 Lafayette area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lafayette expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Lafayette 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 Lafayette?
The BLS median is $22.81 an hour in the Lafayette area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.55 to $27.69.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Lafayette?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,200 to $14,300 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 Lafayette?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 Lafayette?
$1,550 to $4,650 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Lafayette
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