Composite deck cost in Burlington, VT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $12,200 – $24,500
- Per sq ft
- $40.50 – $81
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #90
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Burlington area: $12,200 to $24,500 for 300 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $30.19 an hour in the Burlington area, 4% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Burlington, VT, standard level
$15,900 to $20,800
About $52.50 to $69 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,050 | $7,950 |
| Labor | $9,750 | $12,700 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $15,900 | $20,800 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Burlington, VT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $7,000 | $9,350 | 38% |
| Labor | $7,500 | $11,200 | $15,000 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $12,200 | $18,400 | $24,500 | 100% |
Where the Burlington price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Burlington wages are 1.04 times the national level. Labor makes up about 61% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Burlington is at 97.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $7,000 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.9: $50 to $150.
Who does the work: Burlington trade wages
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 Burlington the blend is 1.04.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $30.19 an hour, 4% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.00 and $31.59 an hour. About 900 work in the metro. That is 74.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.01 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $28.38 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 38.3 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 $420 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,550. That is a swing of roughly 8.4% to 2.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Burlington-South Burlington has 120,150 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 182nd 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% | $25.00 | $30.19 | $31.59 | $29.12 | 1.04 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $23.00 | $24.01 | $28.38 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Extras that change the Burlington total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for Burlington, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.04) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,800 – $5,450 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Burlington
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Burlington. 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
$12,200 to $17,100
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,900 to $20,800
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,600 to $24,500
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,900 – $6,900 | $6,400 – $8,400 | $7,900 – $9,900 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,900 – $8,250 | $7,650 – $10,000 | $9,450 – $11,800 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $13,000 – $18,300 | $17,000 – $22,200 | $20,900 – $26,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $16,300 – $22,800 | $21,200 – $27,700 | $26,100 – $32,600 |
The best months for composite deck in Burlington
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Burlington 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 Burlington are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Burlington gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 88 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and October (4.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 8 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 | 29 | 13 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 32 | 14 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 48 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 57 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 32 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 35 | 21 | 2.5 | Cold |
Is Burlington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Portland is the priciest of the group at $18,500. Utica is the cheapest at $18,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VTthis page | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | |
| Albany, NY140 miles | $12,200 – $24,500 | $18,400 | level |
| Manchester, NH140 miles | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,100 | −2% |
| Utica, NY140 miles | $12,000 – $24,100 | $18,000 | −2% |
| Portland, ME150 miles | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +1% |
| Pittsfield, MA160 miles | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | +1% |
| Vermont (statewide) | $12,100 – $24,300 | $18,200 | −1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | −1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Burlington ranks #90 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Burlington is 1% above the Vermont figure.
Burlington is the only Vermont metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Burlington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | 120,480 jobs | $11,700 – $23,500 | $17,600 | −4% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | −13% |
| Ocala, FL | 120,980 jobs | $10,300 – $20,600 | $15,400 | −16% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $11,600 – $23,200 | $17,400 | −5% |
Why two Burlington 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.
Planning more than one job in Burlington?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Burlington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+3%) and gutters lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,200 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +3% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | +3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,200 | level |
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 $15,900 to $20,800 for Burlington, VT is attached.
Detailed composite deck report for Burlington, VT, $9
Multi-page report for Burlington, VT: 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 Burlington: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Burlington?
For 300 sq ft, expect $12,200 to $24,500 in the Burlington area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,900 to $20,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Burlington?
About $40.50 to $81 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 Burlington or Albany?
Albany is 140 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $18,400, which is 0% more than Burlington ($18,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Burlington?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $11,200 out of $18,400. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Burlington?
$13,000 to $26,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Burlington?
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 Burlington area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Burlington expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Vermont?
Burlington is 1% above the Vermont statewide estimate ($18,200 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Burlington?
The BLS median is $30.19 an hour in the Burlington area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.00 to $31.59.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Burlington?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $12,200 to $17,100 and premium work $19,600 to $24,500. 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 Burlington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April 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 Burlington?
$1,800 to $5,450 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Burlington
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