Composite deck cost in Dallas, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,000 – $22,000
- Per sq ft
- $36.50 – $73
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #179
- 1 = most expensive
Dallas homeowners pay roughly $11,000 to $22,000 to build a composite deck at 300 sq ft, or $36.50 to $73 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Dallas is 9% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $23.44 an hour in the Dallas area, 20% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Dallas, TX, standard level
$14,300 to $18,700
About $47.50 to $62 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,400 | $8,400 |
| Labor | $7,750 | $10,200 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $14,300 | $18,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Dallas, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,950 | $7,400 | $9,850 | 45% |
| Labor | $6,000 | $8,950 | $12,000 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $11,000 | $16,500 | $22,000 | 100% |
Where the Dallas price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Dallas wages are 0.83 times the national level. Labor makes up about 54% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dallas metro is 102.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $7,400, compared with $7,200 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.1) and land at $50 to $150.
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 Dallas is 0.83 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $23.44 an hour, which is 20% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.98 and $27.40 an hour. BLS counts 9,480 of them working in the area, 23.4 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 $21.14 an hour, 7% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.19 and $22.79 an hour. About 29,670 work in the metro. That is 73.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.40 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,150. At the 25th percentile ($20.98) it shrinks by about $730. The total moves by 7.1% or 4.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 4,049,800 jobs in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area. That makes it the 4th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.60% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $20.98 | $23.44 | $27.40 | $29.12 | 0.80 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.19 | $21.14 | $22.79 | $22.66 | 0.93 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Dallas
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dallas 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
$11,000 to $15,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$14,300 to $18,700
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$17,600 to $22,000
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,400 – $6,200 | $5,750 – $7,550 | $7,100 – $8,900 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,300 – $7,450 | $6,900 – $9,050 | $8,500 – $10,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $11,700 – $16,400 | $15,200 – $19,900 | $18,700 – $23,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $14,600 – $20,500 | $19,000 – $24,900 | $23,400 – $29,300 |
Add-ons priced for Dallas
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Dallas by the average of the local wage index (0.83) and goods index (1.03), a factor of 0.93. 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 – $5,000 |
Planning more than one job in Dallas?
Because every project leans on different trades, Dallas's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gutters runs −2% and wood deck −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,100 – $14,300 | −6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,950 – $5,350 | −2% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | −2% |
When to schedule composite deck in Dallas
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dallas Love Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through May is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Dallas (8 of 12 months). June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Dallas gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 2 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and October (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 2.6 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 108 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 | 58 | 38 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 57 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 66 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 93 | 74 | 3.8 | Hot |
| Jul | 97 | 78 | 1.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 97 | 77 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 90 | 70 | 3.1 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 59 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 68 | 48 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 40 | 3.2 | Workable |
Dallas 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 $16,500 across Dallas and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TXthis page | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | |
| Waco, TX90 miles | $10,200 – $20,400 | $15,300 | −7% |
| Tyler, TX105 miles | $9,900 – $19,900 | $14,900 | −10% |
| Killeen, TX125 miles | $10,200 – $20,500 | $15,400 | −7% |
| Longview, TX135 miles | $10,100 – $20,200 | $15,200 | −8% |
| College Station, TX145 miles | $10,100 – $20,300 | $15,200 | −7% |
| Texas (statewide) | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | −3% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Dallas comes in at #179 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $25,200; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $13,500 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Dallas is 3% above the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | −1% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | −3% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | −5% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $9,650 – $19,400 | $14,500 | −12% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $9,550 – $19,100 | $14,300 | −13% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Dallas's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dallas against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $14,700 – $29,500 | $22,100 | +34% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | −1% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $14,200 – $28,400 | $21,300 | +29% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +12% |
Why two Dallas quotes can differ
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.
Board grade
Composite materials run $16-$32 per sq ft and the installed price is $40-$80 per sq ft, including the substructure (HomeGuide).
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Dallas, TX: 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 Dallas: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Dallas?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,000 to $22,000 in the Dallas area. A standard-spec job lands at $14,300 to $18,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Dallas?
About $36.50 to $73 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 Dallas or Waco?
Waco is 90 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $15,300, which is 7% less than Dallas ($16,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dallas?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $8,950 out of $16,500. Materials are 45% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Dallas?
$11,700 to $23,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Dallas?
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 Dallas area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dallas expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Texas?
Dallas is 3% above 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 Dallas?
The BLS median is $23.44 an hour in the Dallas area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.98 to $27.40.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Dallas?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,000 to $15,400 and premium work $17,600 to $22,000. 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 Dallas?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. January and February 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 Dallas?
$1,650 to $5,000 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Dallas
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