Composite deck cost in Duluth, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,200 – $24,500
- Per sq ft
- $40.50 – $81.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #86
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Duluth, plan on $12,200 to $24,500 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $40.50 to $81.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $29.10 an hour in the Duluth area, 0% below 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 Duluth, MN, standard level
$15,900 to $20,900
About $53 to $69 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,950 | $7,800 |
| Labor | $9,900 | $13,000 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $15,900 | $20,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Duluth, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,550 | $6,850 | $9,150 | 37% |
| Labor | $7,650 | $11,400 | $15,300 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 0% |
| Total | $12,200 | $18,400 | $24,500 | 100% |
Where the Duluth price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Duluth wages are 1.06 times the national level. Labor makes up about 62% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Duluth metro is 95.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,850, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (88.8) and land at $45 to $130.
Why two Duluth 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 Duluth
Because every project leans on different trades, Duluth's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +12% and wood deck level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,100 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,400 | +9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,550 | +10% |
Extras that change the Duluth total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Duluth by the average of the local wage index (1.06) and goods index (0.95), a factor of 1.01. 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) | $1,800 – $5,450 |
Duluth 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 Duluth is 1.06 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $29.10 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $36.50 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 49.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.49 an hour, 30% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.29 and $37.00 an hour. About 1,390 work in the metro. That is 111.5 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 ($36.50 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,200. At the 25th percentile ($23.05) it shrinks by about $1,800. The total moves by 11.9% or 9.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 124,710 jobs in the Duluth area. That makes it the 173rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.05 | $29.10 | $36.50 | $29.12 | 1.00 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $23.29 | $29.49 | $37.00 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.06 | |||||
How Duluth compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Minneapolis is the priciest of the group at $20,900. Wausau is the cheapest at $16,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MNthis page | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | |
| St. Cloud, MN155 miles | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | −1% |
| Minneapolis, MN160 miles | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +14% |
| Eau Claire, WI175 miles | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI210 miles | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −11% |
| Fargo, ND215 miles | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −4% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $12,900 – $25,800 | $19,400 | +5% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −2% |
Across 300 US metros, Duluth comes in at #86 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Duluth is 5% below the Minnesota figure.
Other Minnesota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +14% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $12,500 – $25,000 | $18,800 | +2% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Duluth's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Duluth against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview, FL | 125,050 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −13% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | level |
| Norwich, CT | 126,450 jobs | $12,400 – $24,900 | $18,700 | +2% |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,400 | −16% |
Duluth: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Duluth 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
$12,200 to $17,200
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,900 to $20,900
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,600 to $24,500
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,950 – $6,900 | $6,400 – $8,400 | $7,900 – $9,900 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,900 – $8,300 | $7,700 – $10,100 | $9,450 – $11,800 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,100 – $18,300 | $17,000 – $22,200 | $20,900 – $26,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,300 – $22,900 | $21,200 – $27,800 | $26,100 – $32,700 |
Climate in Duluth: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Duluth (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Duluth (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Duluth gets about 31 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 90 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 2.5 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 2 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 | 20 | 2 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 25 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 36 | 18 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 49 | 30 | 2.5 | Workable |
| May | 63 | 41 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 72 | 50 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 76 | 55 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 67 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 53 | 36 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 37 | 23 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 25 | 10 | 1.5 | Cold |
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 $15,900 to $20,900 for Duluth, MN is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Duluth, MN, $9
Multi-page report for Duluth, MN: 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 Duluth: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Duluth?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,200 to $24,500 in the Duluth area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,900 to $20,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Duluth?
About $40.50 to $81.50 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 Duluth or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 155 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,300, which is 1% less than Duluth ($18,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Duluth?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $11,400 out of $18,400. Materials are 37% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Duluth?
$13,100 to $26,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Duluth?
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 Duluth area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Duluth expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Duluth is 5% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($19,400 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Duluth?
The BLS median is $29.10 an hour in the Duluth area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.05 to $36.50.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Duluth?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,200 to $17,200 and premium work $19,600 to $24,500. 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 Duluth?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April and October 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 Duluth?
$1,800 to $5,450 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Duluth
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