Composite deck cost in Portland, ME
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,300 – $24,700
- Per sq ft
- $41 – $81.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #76
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Portland area: $12,300 to $24,700 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 lands close to the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $30.91 an hour in the Portland area, 6% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Portland, ME, standard level
$16,000 to $21,000
About $53 to $69.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,050 | $7,950 |
| Labor | $9,850 | $12,900 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $16,000 | $21,000 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Portland, ME
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $7,000 | $9,350 | 38% |
| Labor | $7,600 | $11,400 | $15,200 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $12,300 | $18,500 | $24,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Portland number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Portland wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 62% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Portland is at 97.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $7,000 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.9: $50 to $150.
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Portland
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Portland. 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
$12,300 to $17,300
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$16,000 to $21,000
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,700 to $24,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,950 – $6,950 | $6,450 – $8,450 | $7,950 – $9,950 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,950 – $8,350 | $7,750 – $10,100 | $9,550 – $11,900 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,100 – $18,400 | $17,100 – $22,400 | $21,000 – $26,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,400 – $23,000 | $21,300 – $27,900 | $26,300 – $32,800 |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Portland
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.
Is Portland cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Portland. Manchester is the lowest at about $18,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 85 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, MEthis page | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | |
| Manchester, NH85 miles | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | −2% |
| Boston, MA85 miles | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +13% |
| Worcester, MA120 miles | $13,500 – $27,100 | $20,300 | +10% |
| Barnstable, MA135 miles | $13,300 – $26,600 | $19,900 | +8% |
| Providence, RI140 miles | $12,400 – $24,900 | $18,600 | +1% |
| Maine (statewide) | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | −2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Portland ranks #76 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Portland is 2% above the Maine figure.
Elsewhere in Maine
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $11,500 – $23,000 | $17,300 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $13,400 – $26,900 | $20,200 | +9% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | −10% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | −3% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | +4% |
Extras that change the Portland total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for Portland, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.05) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,800 – $5,450 |
The best months for composite deck in Portland
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Portland Intl Jetport (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 Portland are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Portland gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 69 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, October and December (5.3 inches in October). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 5 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 | 32 | 16 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 17 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 42 | 26 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 35 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 55 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 32 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 22 | 4.5 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Portland?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Portland wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete patio comes out highest (+2%) and paver patio lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,600 – $15,300 | +1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,250 | −3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | −1% |
Who does the work: Portland 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 Portland the blend is 1.05.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $30.91 an hour, 6% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.45 and $35.95 an hour. About 2,230 work in the metro. That is 77.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $23.31 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.50 and $27.46 an hour. BLS counts 1,470 of them working in the area, 51.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than 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 $730. That is a swing of roughly 3.9% to 8.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Portland-South Portland has 288,480 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 89th 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% | $28.45 | $30.91 | $35.95 | $29.12 | 1.06 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.50 | $23.31 | $27.46 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
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 $16,000 to $21,000 for Portland, ME is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Portland, ME: 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 Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Portland?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,300 to $24,700 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,000 to $21,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Portland?
About $41 to $81.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Portland or Manchester?
Manchester is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,100, which is 2% less than Portland ($18,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $11,400 out of $18,500. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Portland?
$13,100 to $26,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Maine?
Portland is 2% above the Maine statewide estimate ($18,100 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Maine; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $30.91 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.45 to $35.95.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Portland?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,300 to $17,300 and premium work $19,700 to $24,700. 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 Portland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. July and August 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 Portland?
$1,800 to $5,450 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Portland
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