Composite deck cost in Hilton Head, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,700 – $21,500
- Per sq ft
- $35.50 – $71.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #207
- 1 = most expensive
Hilton Head homeowners pay roughly $10,700 to $21,500 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $35.50 to $71.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Hilton Head is 11% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $23.59 an hour in the Hilton Head area, 19% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Hilton Head, SC, standard level
$14,000 to $18,300
About $46.50 to $60.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $7,900 | $10,300 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $14,000 | $18,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Hilton Head, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 43% |
| Labor | $6,050 | $9,100 | $12,100 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $10,700 | $16,100 | $21,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Hilton Head number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Hilton Head wages are 0.84 times the national level. Labor makes up about 56% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Hilton Head metro is 96.3 (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 (98.0) and land at $50 to $150.
Specs and site conditions that change a Hilton Head 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.
When to schedule composite deck in Hilton Head
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Beaufort Mcas (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Hilton Head (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Hilton Head gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (6.5 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and November are the driest, at 2.5 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 73 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 | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 64 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 56 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 64 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 71 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 75 | 5.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 74 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 70 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 69 | 48 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 63 | 43 | 3.2 | Workable |
How Hilton Head compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Hilton Head. Savannah is the lowest at about $15,200 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head, SCthis page | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | |
| Savannah, GA30 miles | $10,100 – $20,200 | $15,200 | −6% |
| Charleston, SC65 miles | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | +1% |
| Augusta, GA100 miles | $11,500 – $23,000 | $17,200 | +7% |
| Columbia, SC115 miles | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −2% |
| Florence, SC135 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | level |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +12% |
Across 300 US metros, Hilton Head comes in at #207 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Hilton Head is 1% below the South Carolina figure.
Other South Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | level |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $10,500 – $21,100 | $15,800 | −2% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | +1% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | +1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $10,400 – $20,800 | $15,600 | −3% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Hilton Head's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Hilton Head against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +2% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $11,000 – $22,100 | $16,600 | +3% |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $10,300 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −5% |
| Johnson City, TN | 81,690 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | −2% |
Extras that change the Hilton Head total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Hilton Head by the average of the local wage index (0.84) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.90. 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) | $1,600 – $4,850 |
Planning more than one job in Hilton Head?
Because every project leans on different trades, Hilton Head's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −7% and wood deck −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,850 – $13,800 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,700 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,100 | −7% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,900 | −7% |
Cost by quality level and size in Hilton Head
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Hilton Head 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
$10,700 to $15,100
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$14,000 to $18,300
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$17,200 to $21,500
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,300 – $6,050 | $5,650 – $7,400 | $6,950 – $8,700 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,200 – $7,250 | $6,750 – $8,850 | $8,300 – $10,400 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,400 – $16,000 | $14,900 – $19,500 | $18,300 – $22,900 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $14,300 – $20,000 | $18,600 – $24,300 | $22,900 – $28,600 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Hilton Head is 0.84 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $23.59 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.25 and $29.40 an hour. BLS counts 440 of them working in the area, 53.7 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 $21.99 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.13 and $25.12 an hour. About 910 work in the metro. That is 111.1 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 ($29.40 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,700. At the 25th percentile ($21.25) it shrinks by about $690. The total moves by 10.7% or 4.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 81,920 jobs in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal area. That makes it the 232nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $21.25 | $23.59 | $29.40 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.13 | $21.99 | $25.12 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
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 $14,000 to $18,300 for Hilton Head, SC is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Hilton Head, SC, $9
The report lays out the composite deck numbers for Hilton Head, SC line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Hilton Head: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Hilton Head?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,700 to $21,500 in the Hilton Head area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,000 to $18,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Hilton Head?
About $35.50 to $71.50 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 Hilton Head or Savannah?
Savannah is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,200, which is 6% less than Hilton Head ($16,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Hilton Head?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $9,100 out of $16,100. Materials are 43% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Hilton Head?
$11,400 to $22,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Hilton Head?
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 Hilton Head area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Hilton Head expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Hilton Head is 1% below the South Carolina statewide estimate ($16,200 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Hilton Head?
The BLS median is $23.59 an hour in the Hilton Head area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.25 to $29.40.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Hilton Head?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,700 to $15,100 and premium work $17,200 to $21,500. 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 Hilton Head?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. May 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 Hilton Head?
$1,600 to $4,850 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Hilton Head
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