Composite deck cost in Slidell, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,300 – $20,700
- Per sq ft
- $34 – $68.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −14%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #265
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Slidell, LA usually costs $10,300 to $20,700 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $34 to $68.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,600 less. Carpenters earn a median of $23.23 an hour in the Slidell area, 20% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Slidell, LA, standard level
$13,400 to $17,600
About $44.50 to $58 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $7,500 | $9,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $13,400 | $17,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Slidell, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 44% |
| Labor | $5,750 | $8,650 | $11,500 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $10,300 | $15,500 | $20,700 | 100% |
Why Slidell prices look the way they do
Labor is 56% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Slidell the blended ratio comes out at 0.80.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Slidell 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 92.7: $45 to $140.
Slidell 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, Slidell (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 Slidell are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Slidell gets about 66 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, July and August (7.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 4.2 and 4.2 inches. The station averages about 64 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 | 61 | 42 | 5.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 64 | 45 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 52 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 58 | 5.5 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 66 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 72 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 74 | 7.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 74 | 7.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 70 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 59 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 49 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 63 | 44 | 5.0 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Slidell bid
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.
Board grade
Composite materials run $16-$32 per sq ft and the installed price is $40-$80 per sq ft, including the substructure (HomeGuide).
Planning more than one job in Slidell?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Slidell wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−10%) and wood deck lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,600 – $13,300 | −12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,500 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,850 | −11% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
Extras that change the Slidell total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.87 for Slidell, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.80) 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 – $4,700 |
What local crews earn in Slidell
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 Slidell the blend is 0.80.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $23.23 an hour, 20% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.98 and $28.08 an hour. About 450 work in the metro. That is 45.8 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 $18.41 an hour, which is 19% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.79 and $22.69 an hour. BLS counts 860 of them working in the area, 87.5 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 $1,550. That is a swing of roughly 10.1% to 9.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington has 98,240 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 205th 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% | $17.98 | $23.23 | $28.08 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.79 | $18.41 | $22.69 | $22.66 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Slidell
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Slidell. 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
$10,300 to $14,500
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$13,400 to $17,600
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$16,500 to $20,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,150 – $5,850 | $5,400 – $7,100 | $6,650 – $8,350 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,950 – $7,000 | $6,500 – $8,500 | $8,000 – $10,000 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,000 – $15,400 | $14,300 – $18,700 | $17,600 – $22,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,700 – $19,200 | $17,900 – $23,400 | $22,000 – $27,500 |
How Slidell compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Baton Rouge is the priciest of the group at $16,500. Houma is the cheapest at $15,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell, LAthis page | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | |
| Gulfport, MS55 miles | $10,600 – $21,200 | $15,900 | +2% |
| Hattiesburg, MS70 miles | $10,400 – $20,700 | $15,600 | level |
| Baton Rouge, LA70 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +7% |
| New Orleans, LA80 miles | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | +2% |
| Houma, LA90 miles | $10,300 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −1% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +17% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Slidell ranks #265 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Slidell is 1% 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 | +2% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +7% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −1% |
| 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 |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Slidell against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz, CA | 98,500 jobs | $14,300 – $28,600 | $21,400 | +38% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | +1% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $13,700 – $27,500 | $20,600 | +33% |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,400 | +19% |
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 $13,400 to $17,600 for Slidell, LA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Slidell, 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 Slidell: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Slidell?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,300 to $20,700 in the Slidell area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,400 to $17,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Slidell?
About $34 to $68.50 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 Slidell or Gulfport?
Gulfport is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,900, which is 2% more than Slidell ($15,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Slidell?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $8,650 out of $15,500. Materials are 44% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Slidell?
$11,000 to $22,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Slidell?
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 Slidell area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Slidell expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Slidell is 1% 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 Slidell?
The BLS median is $23.23 an hour in the Slidell area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.98 to $28.08.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Slidell?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,300 to $14,500 and premium work $16,500 to $20,700. 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 Slidell?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. 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 Slidell?
$1,550 to $4,700 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Slidell
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