Composite deck cost in Manchester, NH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,000 – $24,100
- Per sq ft
- $40 – $80
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #104
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Manchester area: $12,000 to $24,100 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. Building materials run about 2% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 97.7).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Manchester, NH, standard level
$15,600 to $20,500
About $52 to $68 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,100 | $7,950 |
| Labor | $9,450 | $12,400 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $130 |
| Total | $15,600 | $20,500 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Manchester, NH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,700 | $7,050 | $9,400 | 39% |
| Labor | $7,300 | $10,900 | $14,600 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $110 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $12,000 | $18,100 | $24,100 | 100% |
Where the Manchester 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 $29.47 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Manchester is 1.01 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 60% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Manchester is at 97.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $7,050 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.7: $55 to $160.
Add-ons priced for Manchester
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.99 for Manchester, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.01) and goods price index (0.98). 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 – $5,350 |
Planning more than one job in Manchester?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Manchester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+3%) and gutters lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,500 – $15,000 | −1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,600 | +3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | −1% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Manchester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Manchester. 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
$12,000 to $16,900
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,600 to $20,500
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,300 to $24,100
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,850 – $6,800 | $6,300 – $8,250 | $7,800 – $9,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,800 – $8,150 | $7,550 – $9,900 | $9,300 – $11,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,800 – $18,000 | $16,700 – $21,800 | $20,500 – $25,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,000 – $22,400 | $20,800 – $27,300 | $25,700 – $32,100 |
The best months for composite deck in Manchester
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Manchester 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 Manchester 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.
Manchester gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and July are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 34 | 17 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 19 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 27 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 48 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 58 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 50 | 33 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 24 | 3.3 | Cold |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Manchester
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.
Who does the work: Manchester 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 Manchester the blend is 1.01.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $29.47 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.91 and $35.02 an hour. About 820 work in the metro. That is 41.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $22.84 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.68 and $26.49 an hour. BLS counts 1,070 of them working in the area, 53.6 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 $1,650 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,650. That is a swing of roughly 9.1% to 9.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Manchester-Nashua has 199,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 115th 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% | $23.91 | $29.47 | $35.02 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.68 | $22.84 | $26.49 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
Is Manchester cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Manchester. Portland comes closest at about $18,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester, NHthis page | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | |
| Worcester, MA45 miles | $13,500 – $27,100 | $20,300 | +12% |
| Boston, MA45 miles | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +16% |
| Amherst, MA60 miles | $12,800 – $25,700 | $19,300 | +7% |
| Springfield, MA70 miles | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +15% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +2% |
| New Hampshire (statewide) | $12,100 – $24,300 | $18,200 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Manchester ranks #104 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Manchester is 1% below the New Hampshire figure.
Manchester is the only New Hampshire metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Manchester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria, CA | 200,760 jobs | $14,000 – $28,000 | $21,000 | +16% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $10,100 – $20,200 | $15,200 | −16% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $13,800 – $27,700 | $20,700 | +15% |
| Modesto, CA | 195,230 jobs | $14,000 – $28,000 | $21,000 | +16% |
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 $15,600 to $20,500 for Manchester, NH is attached.
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Multi-page report for Manchester, NH: 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 Manchester: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Manchester?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,000 to $24,100 in the Manchester area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,600 to $20,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Manchester?
About $40 to $80 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Manchester or Worcester?
Worcester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $20,300, which is 12% more than Manchester ($18,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Manchester?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $10,900 out of $18,100. Materials are 39% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Manchester?
$12,800 to $25,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Manchester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $160 for fees in the Manchester area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Manchester expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of New Hampshire?
Manchester is 1% below the New Hampshire statewide estimate ($18,200 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Manchester?
The BLS median is $29.47 an hour in the Manchester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.91 to $35.02.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Manchester?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,000 to $16,900 and premium work $19,300 to $24,100. 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 Manchester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. April and July 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 Manchester?
$1,800 to $5,350 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Manchester
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