Composite deck cost in Eau Claire, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $11,900 – $23,900
- Per sq ft
- $39.50 – $79.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #114
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a composite deck in the Eau Claire area: $11,900 to $23,900 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. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI, standard level
$15,500 to $20,300
About $51.50 to $67.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $9,600 | $12,600 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $15,500 | $20,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 38% |
| Labor | $7,400 | $11,100 | $14,800 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $11,900 | $17,900 | $23,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Eau Claire number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Eau Claire wages are 1.03 times the national level. Labor makes up about 62% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Eau Claire 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 92.8: $45 to $140.
Related projects, priced for Eau Claire
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Eau Claire wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+10%) and wood deck lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,200 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,250 | +1% |
How Eau Claire compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Oshkosh is the priciest of the group at $21,200. Wausau is the cheapest at $16,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIthis page | $11,900 – $23,900 | $17,900 | |
| Wausau, WI75 miles | $10,900 – $21,900 | $16,400 | −9% |
| Rochester, MN85 miles | $12,500 – $25,000 | $18,800 | +5% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | level |
| Minneapolis, MN100 miles | $13,900 – $27,900 | $20,900 | +17% |
| Oshkosh, WI140 miles | $14,100 – $28,300 | $21,200 | +18% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $12,200 – $24,400 | $18,300 | +2% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Eau Claire ranks #114 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Eau Claire is 2% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $12,400 – $24,800 | $18,600 | +4% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $12,300 – $24,700 | $18,500 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | level |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,500 | +3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $14,100 – $28,300 | $21,200 | +18% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Eau Claire against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | −14% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $10,600 – $21,200 | $15,900 | −11% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $10,700 – $21,500 | $16,100 | −10% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $12,000 – $24,000 | $18,000 | level |
Specs and site conditions that change a Eau Claire 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.
Who does the work: Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire the blend is 1.03.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $28.41 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $38.28 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 41.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.00 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.33 and $36.35 an hour. BLS counts 640 of them working in the area, 74.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,950 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,500. That is a swing of roughly 8.3% to 16.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Eau Claire has 86,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 226th 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% | $23.39 | $28.41 | $38.28 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.33 | $28.00 | $36.35 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
The best months for composite deck in Eau Claire
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Eau Claire Rgnl 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 Eau Claire are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Eau Claire gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 55 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.5 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 | 23 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 9 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 21 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 33 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 45 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 56 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 58 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 49 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 37 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 13 | 1.4 | Cold |
Eau Claire: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Eau Claire. 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
$11,900 to $16,700
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$15,500 to $20,300
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$19,100 to $23,900
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $4,800 – $6,750 | $6,250 – $8,200 | $7,700 – $9,650 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $5,750 – $8,100 | $7,500 – $9,800 | $9,250 – $11,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $12,700 – $17,900 | $16,600 – $21,700 | $20,400 – $25,500 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $15,900 – $22,300 | $20,700 – $27,100 | $25,500 – $31,900 |
Extras that change the Eau Claire total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Eau Claire, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) 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) | $1,750 – $5,300 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed composite deck report for Eau Claire, WI, $9
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Composite deck in Eau Claire: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in Eau Claire?
For 300 sq ft, expect $11,900 to $23,900 in the Eau Claire area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,500 to $20,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in Eau Claire?
About $39.50 to $79.50 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 Eau Claire or Wausau?
Wausau is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $16,400, which is 9% less than Eau Claire ($17,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Eau Claire?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $11,100 out of $17,900. Materials are 38% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Eau Claire?
$12,700 to $25,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in Eau Claire?
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 Eau Claire area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Eau Claire expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire is 2% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($18,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Eau Claire?
The BLS median is $28.41 an hour in the Eau Claire area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.39 to $38.28.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in Eau Claire?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $11,900 to $16,700 and premium work $19,100 to $23,900. 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 Eau Claire?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Eau Claire?
$1,750 to $5,300 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near Eau Claire
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