Composite deck cost in Minneapolis, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $13,900 – $27,900
- Per sq ft
- $46.50 – $92.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +16%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #20
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Minneapolis area: $13,900 to $27,900 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 16% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $35.61 an hour in the Minneapolis area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Minneapolis, MN, standard level
$18,100 to $23,700
About $60 to $78.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 64% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,450 | $8,400 |
| Labor | $11,600 | $15,200 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $130 |
| Total | $18,100 | $23,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Minneapolis, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,950 | $7,400 | $9,900 | 35% |
| Labor | $8,950 | $13,400 | $17,900 | 64% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $13,900 | $20,900 | $27,900 | 100% |
Where the Minneapolis price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Minneapolis wages are 1.24 times the national level. Labor makes up about 64% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Minneapolis is at 103.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $7,400 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.8: $50 to $160.
What nearby projects cost in Minneapolis
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Minneapolis wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+24%) and wood deck lowest (+12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,500 – $17,000 | +12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,700 | +17% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,700 – $6,750 | +24% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,500 – $4,700 | +12% |
Who does the work: Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis the blend is 1.24.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $35.61 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.12 and $44.60 an hour. About 10,200 work in the metro. That is 52.3 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 $29.79 an hour, which is 31% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.14 an hour. BLS counts 17,330 of them working in the area, 88.8 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 $2,650 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,950. That is a swing of roughly 9.2% to 12.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington has 1,951,650 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 14th 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% | $29.12 | $35.61 | $44.60 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $24.17 | $29.79 | $40.14 | $22.66 | 1.31 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.24 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Minneapolis bid
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.
How Minneapolis compares
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 $17,900 to $20,900 across Minneapolis and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MNthis page | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | |
| St. Cloud, MN70 miles | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | −13% |
| Rochester, MN90 miles | $12,500 – $25,000 | $18,800 | −10% |
| Eau Claire, WI100 miles | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | −14% |
| La Crosse, WI145 miles | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | −14% |
| Duluth, MN160 miles | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | −12% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $12,900 – $25,800 | $19,400 | −8% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −14% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Minneapolis ranks #20 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Minneapolis is 8% above the Minnesota figure.
Elsewhere in Minnesota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | −12% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $12,500 – $25,000 | $18,800 | −10% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | −13% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Minneapolis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $14,100 – $28,300 | $21,200 | +1% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,200 | −8% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $16,000 – $32,000 | $24,000 | +15% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $13,500 – $27,000 | $20,200 | −3% |
The best months for composite deck in Minneapolis
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lower St Anthony Falls (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Minneapolis are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Minneapolis gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.0 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 | 22 | 8 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 12 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 24 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 41 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 27 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 27 | 15 | 1.3 | Cold |
Minneapolis: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Minneapolis. 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
$13,900 to $19,500
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$18,100 to $23,700
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$22,300 to $27,900
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $5,600 – $7,850 | $7,300 – $9,550 | $9,000 – $11,300 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $6,700 – $9,400 | $8,750 – $11,500 | $10,800 – $13,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $14,900 – $20,800 | $19,300 – $25,300 | $23,800 – $29,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $18,600 – $26,000 | $24,100 – $31,600 | $29,700 – $37,200 |
Optional extras in Minneapolis
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.14 for Minneapolis, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.24) and goods price index (1.03). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $2,050 – $6,150 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Minneapolis?
For 300 sq ft, expect $13,900 to $27,900 in the Minneapolis area. A standard-spec job lands at $18,100 to $23,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Minneapolis?
About $46.50 to $92.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Minneapolis or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,300, which is 13% less than Minneapolis ($20,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Minneapolis?
About 64% at the midpoint, or $13,400 out of $20,900. Materials are 35% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Minneapolis?
$14,900 to $29,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Minneapolis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $160 for fees in the Minneapolis area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Minneapolis expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Minneapolis is 8% above 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 Minneapolis?
The BLS median is $35.61 an hour in the Minneapolis area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.12 to $44.60.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Minneapolis?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $13,900 to $19,500 and premium work $22,300 to $27,900. 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 Minneapolis?
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 Minneapolis?
$2,050 to $6,150 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Minneapolis
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