Composite deck cost in College Station, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $10,100 – $20,300
- Per sq ft
- $33.50 – $67.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #281
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in College Station, TX usually costs $10,100 to $20,300 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $33.50 to $67.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,850 less. Carpenters earn a median of $22.58 an hour in the College Station area, 22% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in College Station, TX, standard level
$13,200 to $17,300
About $44 to $57.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $7,300 | $9,500 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $13,200 | $17,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in College Station, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 44% |
| Labor | $5,600 | $8,400 | $11,200 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $10,100 | $15,200 | $20,300 | 100% |
What is behind the College Station number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, College Station wages are 0.78 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. College Station is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,750 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.0: $45 to $140.
Related projects, priced for College Station
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same College Station wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−10%) and concrete patio lowest (−15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,550 – $13,100 | −13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,350 | −15% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,550 – $4,650 | −14% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
College Station against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
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 $14,900 to $16,300 across College Station and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Station, TXthis page | $10,100 – $20,300 | $15,200 | |
| Waco, TX75 miles | $10,200 – $20,400 | $15,300 | level |
| Austin, TX75 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | +5% |
| Killeen, TX85 miles | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | +1% |
| Houston, TX95 miles | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | +7% |
| Tyler, TX135 miles | $9,900 – $19,900 | $14,900 | −2% |
| Texas (statewide) | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +5% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +19% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, College Station ranks #281 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, College Station is 5% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +8% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | +7% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | +5% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +2% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $9,650 – $19,400 | $14,500 | −5% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $9,550 – $19,100 | $14,300 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is College Station against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $12,100 – $24,300 | $18,200 | +19% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | +18% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $12,400 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +22% |
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | +3% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in College Station
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to College Station. 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
$10,100 to $14,200
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$13,200 to $17,300
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$16,300 to $20,300
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,100 – $5,750 | $5,350 – $7,000 | $6,550 – $8,200 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,900 – $6,850 | $6,400 – $8,350 | $7,850 – $9,850 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,800 – $15,200 | $14,100 – $18,400 | $17,300 – $21,700 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $13,500 – $18,900 | $17,600 – $23,000 | $21,700 – $27,100 |
What local crews earn in College Station
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 College Station the blend is 0.78.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $22.58 an hour, 22% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.77 and $26.89 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 12.7 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 $17.88 an hour, which is 21% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.43 and $20.78 an hour. BLS counts 770 of them working in the area, 57.4 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 $1,300 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $540. That is a swing of roughly 3.5% to 8.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
College Station-Bryan has 134,040 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 164th 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% | $20.77 | $22.58 | $26.89 | $29.12 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.43 | $17.88 | $20.78 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.78 | |||||
Why two College Station quotes can differ
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.
College Station 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, College Stn (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 College Station are October through May: 8 of 12. Outside them, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
College Station gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and October (4.9 inches in October). Inside the workable window, February and April are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 117 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 | 62 | 41 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 66 | 45 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 52 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 58 | 2.9 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 66 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 92 | 73 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 75 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 97 | 75 | 3.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 70 | 3.5 | Hot |
| Oct | 82 | 60 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 71 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 63 | 43 | 3.7 | Workable |
Optional extras in College Station
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.86 for College Station, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.78) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,550 – $4,650 |
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 $13,200 to $17,300 for College Station, TX is attached.
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Composite deck in College Station: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in College Station?
For 300 sq ft, expect $10,100 to $20,300 in the College Station area. A standard-spec job lands at $13,200 to $17,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in College Station?
About $33.50 to $67.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in College Station or Waco?
Waco is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,300, which is 0% more than College Station ($15,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in College Station?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $8,400 out of $15,200. Materials are 44% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in College Station?
$10,800 to $21,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in College Station?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $140 for fees in the College Station area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is College Station expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Texas?
College Station is 5% below the Texas statewide estimate ($16,000 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in College Station?
The BLS median is $22.58 an hour in the College Station area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.77 to $26.89.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in College Station?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $10,100 to $14,200 and premium work $16,300 to $20,300. 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 College Station?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. February and April 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 College Station?
$1,550 to $4,650 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near College Station
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