Composite deck cost in Nashville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,400 – $22,800
- Per sq ft
- $38 – $75.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #159
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Nashville, TN usually costs $11,400 to $22,800 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $38 to $75.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,000 less. Carpenters earn a median of $26.81 an hour in the Nashville area, 8% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Nashville, TN, standard level
$14,800 to $19,400
About $49 to $64 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,000 | $7,850 |
| Labor | $8,750 | $11,400 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $14,800 | $19,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Nashville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,950 | $9,250 | 41% |
| Labor | $6,700 | $10,100 | $13,400 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $11,400 | $17,100 | $22,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Nashville number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Nashville wages are 0.93 times the national level. Labor makes up about 59% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Nashville is at 96.2 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 96.3: $50 to $140.
What local crews earn in Nashville
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 Nashville the blend is 0.93.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $26.81 an hour, 8% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.80 and $29.35 an hour. About 3,040 work in the metro. That is 27.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $22.21 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.67 and $24.27 an hour. BLS counts 9,170 of them working in the area, 83.4 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 $750 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $890. That is a swing of roughly 5.2% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin has 1,099,300 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 33rd 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% | $23.80 | $26.81 | $29.35 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.67 | $22.21 | $24.27 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Nashville?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Nashville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−1%) and concrete patio lowest (−7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,150 – $14,400 | −5% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,950 – $5,400 | −1% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | −4% |
Nashville 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, Nashville 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 Nashville are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Nashville gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (5.0 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.8 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 54 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 | 49 | 30 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 54 | 33 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 4.7 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 66 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 69 | 3.8 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 62 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 61 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 33 | 4.4 | Workable |
Optional extras in Nashville
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.95 for Nashville, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.93) 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) | $1,700 – $5,100 |
Nashville against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Nashville is the priciest of the group. Huntsville is the cheapest at $15,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TNthis page | $11,400 – $22,800 | $17,100 | |
| Clarksville, TN65 miles | $10,600 – $21,300 | $15,900 | −7% |
| Bowling Green, KY70 miles | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | −4% |
| Huntsville, AL90 miles | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | −8% |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −5% |
| Decatur, AL115 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −6% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | −4% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Nashville ranks #159 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Nashville is 5% above the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,300 | −5% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | −5% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,200 | −5% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | −6% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $10,600 – $21,300 | $15,900 | −7% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $10,600 – $21,200 | $15,900 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Nashville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | +5% |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +5% |
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +8% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $14,000 – $28,100 | $21,100 | +23% |
Cost by quality level and size in Nashville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Nashville. 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
$11,400 to $16,000
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$14,800 to $19,400
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$18,200 to $22,800
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,600 – $6,450 | $5,950 – $7,800 | $7,350 – $9,200 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,500 – $7,700 | $7,150 – $9,350 | $8,800 – $11,000 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,100 – $17,000 | $15,800 – $20,700 | $19,400 – $24,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,200 – $21,200 | $19,700 – $25,800 | $24,300 – $30,400 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Nashville 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.
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 $14,800 to $19,400 for Nashville, TN is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Nashville, TN: 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 Nashville: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Nashville?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,400 to $22,800 in the Nashville area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,800 to $19,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Nashville?
About $38 to $75.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in Nashville or Clarksville?
Clarksville is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,900, which is 7% less than Nashville ($17,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Nashville?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $10,100 out of $17,100. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Nashville?
$12,100 to $24,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Nashville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $140 for fees in the Nashville area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Nashville expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Nashville is 5% above the Tennessee statewide estimate ($16,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Nashville?
The BLS median is $26.81 an hour in the Nashville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.80 to $29.35.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Nashville?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,400 to $16,000 and premium work $18,200 to $22,800. 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 Nashville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. September 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 Nashville?
$1,700 to $5,100 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Nashville
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