Wood deck cost in Decatur, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $6,850 – $13,700
- Per sq ft
- $22.50 – $45.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #219
- 1 = most expensive
Decatur homeowners pay roughly $6,850 to $13,700 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $22.50 to $45.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Decatur is 9% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $24.50 an hour in the Decatur area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Decatur, AL, standard level
$8,900 to $11,700
About $29.50 to $38.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,250 | $6,900 |
| Labor | $3,550 | $4,650 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $8,900 | $11,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Decatur, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $6,050 | $8,100 | 59% |
| Labor | $2,750 | $4,100 | $5,500 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $6,850 | $10,300 | $13,700 | 100% |
Where the Decatur price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.50 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Decatur is 0.83 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 40% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Decatur metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,050, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.2) and land at $45 to $130.
Optional extras in Decatur
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Decatur by the average of the local wage index (0.83) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.90. 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 stairs (flat) | $1,250 – $2,350 |
When to schedule wood deck in Decatur
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Decatur Pryor Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Decatur (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Decatur gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and December (5.2 inches in December). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 64 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 | 51 | 32 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 55 | 35 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 4.5 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 70 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 68 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 61 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 39 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 54 | 35 | 5.2 | Workable |
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 Decatur is 0.83 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $24.50 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.75 and $28.48 an hour. BLS counts 190 of them working in the area, 31.0 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 $18.11 an hour, 20% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.52 and $23.05 an hour. About 690 work in the metro. That is 112.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($28.48 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $540. At the 25th percentile ($21.75) it shrinks by about $370. The total moves by 5.3% or 3.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 61,240 jobs in the Decatur area. That makes it the 283rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $21.75 | $24.50 | $28.48 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $15.52 | $18.11 | $23.05 | $22.66 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
How Decatur compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Decatur. Tuscaloosa is the lowest at about $10,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 105 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ALthis page | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | |
| Huntsville, AL30 miles | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −1% |
| Birmingham, AL75 miles | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | level |
| Tuscaloosa, AL105 miles | $6,750 – $13,500 | $10,100 | −2% |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | +1% |
| Nashville, TN115 miles | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | +5% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $6,700 – $13,500 | $10,100 | −2% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Decatur comes in at #219 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Decatur is 2% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | level |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −1% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $6,700 – $13,500 | $10,100 | −2% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | −2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $6,750 – $13,500 | $10,100 | −2% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,000 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Decatur's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Decatur against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $7,250 – $14,600 | $10,900 | +6% |
| Dothan, AL | 60,720 jobs | $6,400 – $12,900 | $9,650 | −6% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | +5% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $7,500 – $15,100 | $11,300 | +10% |
Related projects, priced for Decatur
Because every project leans on different trades, Decatur's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, detached garage runs −10% and concrete patio −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $10,700 – $21,400 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,450 | −12% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,800 | −12% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $26,200 – $52,500 | −10% |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Decatur
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).
Height and stairs
A second-story deck needs more structure. New stairs run $1,400-$2,600 installed.
Cost by quality level and size in Decatur
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Decatur 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
$6,850 to $9,600
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$8,900 to $11,700
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,000 to $13,700
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,750 – $3,900 | $3,600 – $4,750 | $4,450 – $5,550 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,300 – $4,650 | $4,300 – $5,650 | $5,300 – $6,650 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,300 – $10,200 | $9,500 – $12,400 | $11,700 – $14,600 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,100 – $12,800 | $11,900 – $15,500 | $14,600 – $18,300 |
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 $8,900 to $11,700 for Decatur, AL is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Decatur, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Decatur, 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 Decatur: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Decatur?
For 300 sq ft, expect $6,850 to $13,700 in the Decatur area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,900 to $11,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Decatur?
About $22.50 to $45.50 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 Decatur or Huntsville?
Huntsville is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $10,200, which is 1% less than Decatur ($10,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Decatur?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $4,100 out of $10,300. Materials are 59% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Decatur?
$7,300 to $14,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Decatur?
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 Decatur area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Decatur expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Alabama?
Decatur is 2% above 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 Decatur?
The BLS median is $24.50 an hour in the Decatur area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.75 to $28.48.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Decatur?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $6,850 to $9,600 and premium work $11,000 to $13,700. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+When is the best time to build a wood deck in Decatur?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. September 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 stairs" add in Decatur?
$1,250 to $2,350, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Decatur
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