Composite deck cost in Raleigh, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,900 – $21,900
- Per sq ft
- $36 – $72.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #187
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a composite deck in Raleigh, plan on $10,900 to $21,900 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $36 to $72.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $24.43 an hour in the Raleigh area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Raleigh, NC, standard level
$14,200 to $18,600
About $47 to $61.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,050 | $7,900 |
| Labor | $8,100 | $10,600 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $14,200 | $18,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Raleigh, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $6,950 | $9,300 | 42% |
| Labor | $6,250 | $9,350 | $12,500 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $10,900 | $16,400 | $21,900 | 100% |
Where the Raleigh price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Raleigh wages are 0.86 times the national level. Labor makes up about 57% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Raleigh metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,950, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.2) and land at $50 to $150.
Add-ons priced for Raleigh
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Raleigh by the average of the local wage index (0.86) and goods index (0.97), a factor of 0.92. 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) | $1,650 – $4,950 |
Is Raleigh cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $15,700 to $16,500 across Raleigh and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NCthis page | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | |
| Durham, NC40 miles | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +1% |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −2% |
| Fayetteville, NC60 miles | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | −4% |
| Greenville, NC60 miles | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,700 | −5% |
| Greensboro, NC75 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −2% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Raleigh comes in at #187 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Raleigh is 2% above the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −2% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −2% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | level |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,500 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Raleigh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Raleigh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | −1% |
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $12,400 – $24,900 | $18,600 | +14% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −1% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $11,500 – $23,000 | $17,300 | +5% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Raleigh 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.
Climate in Raleigh: timing your composite deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Raleigh (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Raleigh gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 52 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 | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | Workable |
Cost by quality level and size in Raleigh
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Raleigh 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
$10,900 to $15,300
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$14,200 to $18,600
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$17,500 to $21,900
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,400 – $6,150 | $5,750 – $7,500 | $7,050 – $8,850 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,250 – $7,400 | $6,850 – $9,000 | $8,450 – $10,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,600 – $16,300 | $15,100 – $19,800 | $18,700 – $23,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $14,500 – $20,400 | $18,900 – $24,700 | $23,300 – $29,100 |
Planning more than one job in Raleigh?
Because every project leans on different trades, Raleigh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −6% and concrete patio −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,950 – $14,000 | −8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,650 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,150 | −6% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −6% |
Raleigh 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 Raleigh is 0.86 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $24.43 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.31 and $29.01 an hour. BLS counts 2,680 of them working in the area, 36.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $21.95 an hour, 3% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $23.77 an hour. About 6,360 work in the metro. That is 85.6 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 ($29.01 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,350. At the 25th percentile ($21.31) it shrinks by about $930. The total moves by 8.3% or 5.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 743,120 jobs in the Raleigh-Cary area. That makes it the 41st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.48% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $21.31 | $24.43 | $29.01 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.31 | $21.95 | $23.77 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Get 3 local quotes
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Composite deck in Raleigh: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Raleigh?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,900 to $21,900 in the Raleigh area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,200 to $18,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Raleigh?
About $36 to $72.50 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 Raleigh or Durham?
Durham is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $16,500, which is 1% more than Raleigh ($16,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Raleigh?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $9,350 out of $16,400. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Raleigh?
$11,600 to $23,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Raleigh expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Raleigh is 2% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($16,100 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Raleigh?
The BLS median is $24.43 an hour in the Raleigh area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.31 to $29.01.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Raleigh?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,900 to $15,300 and premium work $17,500 to $21,900. 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 Raleigh?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. February 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 Raleigh?
$1,650 to $4,950 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Raleigh
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