Composite deck cost in Reno, NV
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,200 – $24,400
- Per sq ft
- $40.50 – $81
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #93
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Reno, NV usually costs $12,200 to $24,400 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $40.50 to $81 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Carpenters earn a median of $29.98 an hour in the Reno area, 3% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Reno, NV, standard level
$15,800 to $20,700
About $52.50 to $68.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $9,750 | $12,700 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $15,800 | $20,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Reno, NV
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 38% |
| Labor | $7,500 | $11,200 | $15,000 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $12,200 | $18,300 | $24,400 | 100% |
Why Reno prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.98 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Reno is 1.04 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 62% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Reno is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,950 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.0: $50 to $150.
Specs and site conditions that change a Reno bid
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Reno
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Reno. 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
$12,200 to $17,100
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,800 to $20,700
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,500 to $24,400
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,900 – $6,900 | $6,400 – $8,350 | $7,850 – $9,850 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,850 – $8,250 | $7,650 – $10,000 | $9,400 – $11,800 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,000 – $18,200 | $16,900 – $22,100 | $20,800 – $26,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,200 – $22,700 | $21,100 – $27,600 | $26,000 – $32,500 |
Related projects, priced for Reno
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Reno wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete patio comes out highest (+3%) and gutters lowest (−6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,100 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | +3% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,600 | +3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −6% |
Reno 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, Reno Tahoe Intl Ap (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 Reno are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Reno gets about 7 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 21 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, February and December (1.3 inches in January). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.4 and 0.2 inches. The station averages about 65 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 | 48 | 26 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 52 | 29 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 59 | 34 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 65 | 39 | 0.4 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 47 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 54 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 60 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 58 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 50 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 40 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 57 | 31 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 26 | 1.1 | Workable |
What local crews earn in Reno
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 Reno the blend is 1.04.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $29.98 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.10 and $37.41 an hour. About 2,750 work in the metro. That is 99.8 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 $24.63 an hour, which is 9% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.27 and $34.75 an hour. BLS counts 2,510 of them working in the area, 91.0 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 $2,200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,750. That is a swing of roughly 9.5% to 12.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Reno has 275,680 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 92nd 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% | $24.10 | $29.98 | $37.41 | $29.12 | 1.03 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.27 | $24.63 | $34.75 | $22.66 | 1.09 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Extras that change the Reno total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.00 for Reno, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.04) and goods price index (0.96). 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 – $5,400 |
Reno against nearby metros and the rest of Nevada
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Vallejo is the priciest of the group at $21,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno, NVthis page | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | |
| Chico, CA115 miles | $13,600 – $27,300 | $20,500 | +12% |
| Sacramento, CA125 miles | $14,000 – $28,100 | $21,100 | +15% |
| Redding, CA135 miles | $13,600 – $27,300 | $20,500 | +12% |
| Stockton, CA185 miles | $13,400 – $26,900 | $20,200 | +10% |
| Vallejo, CA185 miles | $14,300 – $28,600 | $21,400 | +17% |
| Nevada (statewide) | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,200 | −1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Reno ranks #93 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Reno is 1% above the Nevada figure.
Elsewhere in Nevada
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Reno against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | +5% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | −14% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | −9% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −12% |
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Detailed composite deck report for Reno, NV, $9
Multi-page report for Reno, NV: 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 Reno: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Reno?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,200 to $24,400 in the Reno area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,800 to $20,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Reno?
About $40.50 to $81 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 Reno or Chico?
Chico is 115 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $20,500, which is 12% more than Reno ($18,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Reno?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $11,200 out of $18,300. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Reno?
$13,000 to $26,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Reno?
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 Reno area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Reno expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Nevada?
Reno is 1% above the Nevada statewide estimate ($18,200 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nevada; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Reno?
The BLS median is $29.98 an hour in the Reno area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.10 to $37.41.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Reno?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,200 to $17,100 and premium work $19,500 to $24,400. 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 Reno?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. June and September 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 Reno?
$1,800 to $5,400 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Reno
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