Composite deck cost in Charlottesville, VA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,400 – $22,900
- Per sq ft
- $38 – $75.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #157
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in Charlottesville, VA usually costs $11,400 to $22,900 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 $970 less. Carpenters earn a median of $26.97 an hour in the Charlottesville area, 7% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Charlottesville, VA, standard level
$14,800 to $19,400
About $49 to $64.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $6,050 | $7,900 |
| Labor | $8,750 | $11,400 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $14,800 | $19,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Charlottesville, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,650 | $6,950 | $9,300 | 41% |
| Labor | $6,700 | $10,100 | $13,400 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $11,400 | $17,100 | $22,900 | 100% |
Why Charlottesville prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Charlottesville 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. Charlottesville is at 96.8 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 99.1: $50 to $150.
Add-ons priced for Charlottesville
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.95 for Charlottesville, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.93) 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) | $1,700 – $5,150 |
Composite deck: what moves the price in Charlottesville
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.
Related projects, priced for Charlottesville
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Charlottesville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, wood deck comes out highest (−5%) and gutters lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,200 – $14,400 | −5% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,800 | −5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,150 | −6% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,900 | −8% |
How Charlottesville compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Washington is the priciest of the group at $18,500. Roanoke is the cheapest at $15,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VAthis page | $11,400 – $22,900 | $17,100 | |
| Harrisonburg, VA40 miles | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −6% |
| Lynchburg, VA55 miles | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | −8% |
| Richmond, VA75 miles | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −4% |
| Washington, DC85 miles | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +8% |
| Roanoke, VA85 miles | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | −9% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $11,500 – $23,000 | $17,300 | +1% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Charlottesville ranks #157 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Charlottesville is 1% below the Virginia figure.
Elsewhere in Virginia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $10,800 – $21,600 | $16,200 | −6% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −4% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | −9% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,700 | −8% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $10,500 – $21,000 | $15,800 | −8% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charlottesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $9,900 – $19,900 | $14,900 | −13% |
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $9,500 – $19,100 | $14,300 | −16% |
| Topeka, KS | 115,750 jobs | $10,800 – $21,700 | $16,300 | −5% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,700 | −9% |
What local crews earn in Charlottesville
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 Charlottesville the blend is 0.93.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $26.97 an hour, 7% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.28 and $29.53 an hour. About 630 work in the metro. That is 54.9 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 $21.67 an hour, which is 4% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.49 and $22.62 an hour. BLS counts 570 of them working in the area, 49.7 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 $760 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,400. That is a swing of roughly 8.1% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Charlottesville has 114,780 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 190th 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% | $22.28 | $26.97 | $29.53 | $29.12 | 0.93 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.49 | $21.67 | $22.62 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Charlottesville 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, Charlottesville 2 Sse (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 Charlottesville are February through December: 11 of 12. Outside them, January has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January 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.
Charlottesville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and September (4.9 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 31 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 55 | 37 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 66 | 47 | 4.2 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 55 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 64 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 68 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 66 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 61 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 50 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 40 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 32 | 3.8 | Workable |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in Charlottesville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Charlottesville. 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
$18,300 to $22,900
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,600 – $6,450 | $6,000 – $7,850 | $7,400 – $9,250 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,500 – $7,700 | $7,150 – $9,400 | $8,850 – $11,100 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,200 – $17,000 | $15,800 – $20,700 | $19,500 – $24,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,200 – $21,300 | $19,800 – $25,900 | $24,300 – $30,400 |
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 Charlottesville, VA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Charlottesville, VA: 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 Charlottesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Charlottesville?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,400 to $22,900 in the Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?
About $38 to $75.50 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 Charlottesville or Harrisonburg?
Harrisonburg is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $16,100, which is 6% less than Charlottesville ($17,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville?
$12,200 to $24,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charlottesville expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Virginia?
Charlottesville is 1% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($17,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Charlottesville?
The BLS median is $26.97 an hour in the Charlottesville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.28 to $29.53.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Charlottesville?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,400 to $16,000 and premium work $18,300 to $22,900. 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 Charlottesville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February 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 Charlottesville?
$1,700 to $5,150 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Charlottesville
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