Wood deck cost in Auburn, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $6,650 – $13,400
- Per sq ft
- $22 – $44
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −12%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #261
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood deck in the Auburn area: $6,650 to $13,400 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 runs 12% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $22.89 an hour in the Auburn area, 21% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Auburn, AL, standard level
$8,700 to $11,400
About $28.50 to $37.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,250 | $6,900 |
| Labor | $3,350 | $4,400 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $8,700 | $11,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Auburn, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $6,050 | $8,100 | 61% |
| Labor | $2,600 | $3,850 | $5,150 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $6,650 | $10,000 | $13,400 | 100% |
Why Auburn prices look the way they do
Labor is 39% of the midpoint bill here, against 44% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Auburn the blended ratio comes out at 0.78.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Auburn is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $6,050 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.9: $45 to $130.
Who does the work: Auburn 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 Auburn the blend is 0.78.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $22.89 an hour, 21% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.02 and $26.50 an hour. About 200 work in the metro. That is 27.5 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 $17.36 an hour, which is 23% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $13.70 and $21.30 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 92.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $490 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $390. That is a swing of roughly 3.9% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Auburn-Opelika has 72,710 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 252nd 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% | $20.02 | $22.89 | $26.50 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $13.70 | $17.36 | $21.30 | $22.66 | 0.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.78 | |||||
The best months for wood deck in Auburn
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Auburn No.2 (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Auburn: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Auburn gets about 56 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, June and December (5.7 inches in March). The station averages about 49 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 | 56 | 35 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 39 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 51 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 68 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 71 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 88 | 71 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 84 | 66 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 54 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 43 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 38 | 5.6 | Workable |
Why two Auburn quotes can differ
Replacement versus new
Deck replacement costs $30-$55 per sq ft because of demolition and haul-away.
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
Wood species
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest at $25-$50 per sq ft installed. Ipe runs $50-$70 and bamboo $27-$52 (HomeGuide).
Planning more than one job in Auburn?
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Auburn wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, detached garage comes out highest (−12%) and composite deck lowest (−15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $10,300 – $20,600 | −15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,400 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,600 – $4,700 | −14% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $25,400 – $51,000 | −12% |
Cost by quality level and size in Auburn
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Auburn. 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
$6,650 to $9,350
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$8,700 to $11,400
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$10,700 to $13,400
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,700 – $3,800 | $3,500 – $4,600 | $4,350 – $5,450 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,250 – $4,550 | $4,200 – $5,500 | $5,200 – $6,500 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,100 – $10,000 | $9,250 – $12,100 | $11,400 – $14,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $8,900 – $12,500 | $11,600 – $15,100 | $14,200 – $17,800 |
Add-ons priced for Auburn
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.87 for Auburn, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.78) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,200 – $2,250 |
How Auburn compares
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Auburn. Albany is the lowest at about $9,400 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn, ALthis page | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | |
| Columbus, GA40 miles | $6,550 – $13,200 | $9,850 | −2% |
| Montgomery, AL50 miles | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | level |
| Dothan, AL85 miles | $6,400 – $12,900 | $9,650 | −4% |
| Birmingham, AL100 miles | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | +2% |
| Albany, GA100 miles | $6,250 – $12,600 | $9,400 | −6% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $6,700 – $13,500 | $10,100 | +1% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Auburn ranks #261 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Auburn is 1% below the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | +2% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | +1% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $6,700 – $13,500 | $10,100 | +1% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | level |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $6,750 – $13,500 | $10,100 | +1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,000 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Auburn against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 73,240 jobs | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | +10% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $7,200 – $14,500 | $10,800 | +8% |
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $9,450 – $18,900 | $14,200 | +41% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | +9% |
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 $8,700 to $11,400 for Auburn, AL is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Auburn, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Auburn, AL: 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.
Wood deck in Auburn: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Auburn?
For 300 sq ft, expect $6,650 to $13,400 in the Auburn area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,700 to $11,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Auburn?
About $22 to $44 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Auburn or Columbus?
Columbus is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $9,850, which is 2% less than Auburn ($10,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Auburn?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $3,850 out of $10,000. Materials are 61% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Auburn?
$7,100 to $14,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Auburn?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $130 for fees in the Auburn area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Auburn expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Alabama?
Auburn is 1% below the Alabama statewide estimate ($10,100 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Auburn?
The BLS median is $22.89 an hour in the Auburn area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.02 to $26.50.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Auburn?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $6,650 to $9,350 and premium work $10,700 to $13,400. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+Is there a bad season to build a wood deck in Auburn?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add stairs" add in Auburn?
$1,200 to $2,250, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Auburn
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 It Cost to Build a Deck? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Composite Decking Cost? (2026) (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