Composite deck cost in Amherst, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,800 – $25,700
- Per sq ft
- $42.50 – $85.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #47
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Amherst, MA usually costs $12,800 to $25,700 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $42.50 to $85.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,200 more. Carpenters earn a median of $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, 10% above the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your composite deck cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Amherst, MA, standard level
$16,700 to $21,900
About $55.50 to $72.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,050 | $7,900 |
| Labor | $10,600 | $13,800 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $16,700 | $21,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Amherst, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $7,000 | $9,300 | 36% |
| Labor | $8,150 | $12,200 | $16,300 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $12,800 | $19,300 | $25,700 | 100% |
Where the Amherst price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $32.13 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Amherst is 1.13 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 63% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Amherst is at 97.0 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 100.2: $50 to $150.
Amherst: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Amherst. 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
$12,800 to $18,000
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$16,700 to $21,900
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$20,600 to $25,700
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,150 – $7,250 | $6,750 – $8,800 | $8,300 – $10,400 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,200 – $8,700 | $8,050 – $10,600 | $9,950 – $12,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,700 – $19,200 | $17,800 – $23,300 | $21,900 – $27,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $17,100 – $24,000 | $22,200 – $29,100 | $27,400 – $34,300 |
What local crews earn in Amherst
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 Amherst the blend is 1.13.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $32.13 an hour, 10% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.62 and $41.93 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 53.3 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 $27.96 an hour, which is 23% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $36.52 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 42.6 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 $2,900 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,050. That is a swing of roughly 5.4% to 15.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Amherst Town-Northampton has 65,670 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 273rd 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% | $28.62 | $32.13 | $41.93 | $29.12 | 1.10 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.14 | $27.96 | $36.52 | $22.66 | 1.23 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Amherst 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, Westfield Barnes Muni Ap (15 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 Amherst are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Amherst gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.7 inches in October). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 35 | 16 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 17 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 35 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 55 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 59 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 39 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 30 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 40 | 22 | 3.6 | Cold |
Amherst against nearby metros and the rest of Massachusetts
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 $18,500 to $20,700 across Amherst and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst, MAthis page | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | |
| Springfield, MA15 miles | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +7% |
| Pittsfield, MA30 miles | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | −4% |
| Worcester, MA35 miles | $13,500 – $27,100 | $20,300 | +5% |
| Hartford, CT45 miles | $12,600 – $25,300 | $18,900 | −2% |
| Waterbury, CT60 miles | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | −4% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $13,900 – $27,800 | $20,900 | +8% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Amherst ranks #47 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Amherst is 8% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +8% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $13,500 – $27,100 | $20,300 | +5% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +7% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $13,300 – $26,600 | $19,900 | +3% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Amherst against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $11,400 – $22,900 | $17,100 | −11% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 65,460 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −16% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −16% |
| El Centro, CA | 65,430 jobs | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +7% |
Extras that change the Amherst total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.05 for Amherst, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.13) 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) | $1,900 – $5,650 |
What nearby projects cost in Amherst
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Amherst wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+18%) and wood deck lowest (+4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,850 – $15,800 | +4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,550 – $6,450 | +18% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,500 | +8% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Amherst bid
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.
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 $16,700 to $21,900 for Amherst, MA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Amherst, MA: 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 Amherst: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Amherst?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,800 to $25,700 in the Amherst area. A standard-spec job lands at $16,700 to $21,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Amherst?
About $42.50 to $85.50 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 Amherst or Springfield?
Springfield is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $20,700, which is 7% more than Amherst ($19,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Amherst?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $12,200 out of $19,300. Materials are 36% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Amherst?
$13,700 to $27,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Amherst?
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 Amherst area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Amherst expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Amherst is 8% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($20,900 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Amherst?
The BLS median is $32.13 an hour in the Amherst area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.62 to $41.93.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Amherst?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,800 to $18,000 and premium work $20,600 to $25,700. 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 Amherst?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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 Amherst?
$1,900 to $5,650 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Amherst
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