Wood deck cost in Rockford, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,950 – $16,000
- Per sq ft
- $26.50 – $53
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +6%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #47
- 1 = most expensive
Rockford homeowners pay roughly $7,950 to $16,000 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $26.50 to $53 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Rockford is 6% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $34.99 an hour in the Rockford area, 20% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Rockford, IL, standard level
$10,400 to $13,600
About $34.50 to $45 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Labor | $5,200 | $6,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $10,400 | $13,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Rockford, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,850 | 49% |
| Labor | $4,000 | $6,000 | $8,000 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $7,950 | $12,000 | $16,000 | 100% |
Where the Rockford price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Rockford wages are 1.21 times the national level. Labor makes up about 50% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rockford metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $5,900, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.2) and land at $45 to $140.
Cost by quality level and size in Rockford
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rockford 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
$7,950 to $11,200
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$10,400 to $13,600
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,800 to $16,000
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,200 – $4,500 | $4,200 – $5,500 | $5,150 – $6,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,850 – $5,400 | $5,000 – $6,600 | $6,200 – $7,750 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,500 – $11,900 | $11,100 – $14,500 | $13,600 – $17,000 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,600 – $14,900 | $13,800 – $18,100 | $17,000 – $21,300 |
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 Rockford is 1.21 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $34.99 an hour, which is 20% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.33 and $47.16 an hour. BLS counts 810 of them working in the area, 58.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $28.07 an hour, 24% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.55 and $38.91 an hour. About 830 work in the metro. That is 60.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($47.16 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,650. At the 25th percentile ($27.33) it shrinks by about $1,050. The total moves by 13.8% or 8.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 137,650 jobs in the Rockford area. That makes it the 161st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $27.33 | $34.99 | $47.16 | $29.12 | 1.20 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.55 | $28.07 | $38.91 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.21 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Rockford
Because every project leans on different trades, Rockford's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +13% and paver patio +9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $13,200 – $26,500 | +10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,600 | +13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $31,600 – $63,500 | +9% |
Extras that change the Rockford total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Rockford by the average of the local wage index (1.21) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.07. 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) | $1,500 – $2,800 |
Rockford against nearby metros and the rest of Illinois
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Rockford. Racine is the lowest at about $11,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 70 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, ILthis page | $7,950 – $16,000 | $12,000 | |
| Janesville, WI25 miles | $8,050 – $16,100 | $12,100 | +1% |
| Madison, WI60 miles | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −5% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | −2% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | −7% |
| Milwaukee, WI70 miles | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −5% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $8,700 – $17,500 | $13,100 | +9% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −5% |
Across 300 US metros, Rockford comes in at #47 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Rockford is 8% below the Illinois figure.
Other Illinois metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $8,900 – $17,900 | $13,400 | +12% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $8,150 – $16,300 | $12,200 | +2% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $7,750 – $15,500 | $11,600 | −3% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $8,200 – $16,400 | $12,300 | +3% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $8,100 – $16,300 | $12,200 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Rockford's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rockford against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $7,250 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −9% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −5% |
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $7,000 – $14,000 | $10,500 | −12% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | −6% |
When to schedule wood deck in Rockford
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Rockford Gtr Rockford Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Rockford (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Rockford gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.2 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.4 and 2.3 inches. The station averages about 15 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 | 29 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 28 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 60 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 31 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 34 | 20 | 1.9 | Cold |
Why two Rockford 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).
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 $10,400 to $13,600 for Rockford, IL is attached.
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Multi-page report for Rockford, IL: 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 Rockford: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Rockford?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,950 to $16,000 in the Rockford area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,400 to $13,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Rockford?
About $26.50 to $53 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Rockford or Janesville?
Janesville is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $12,100, which is 1% more than Rockford ($12,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rockford?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,000 out of $12,000. Materials are 49% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Rockford?
$8,500 to $17,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Rockford?
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 Rockford area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rockford expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Illinois?
Rockford is 8% below the Illinois statewide estimate ($13,100 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Rockford?
The BLS median is $34.99 an hour in the Rockford area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.33 to $47.16.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Rockford?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,950 to $11,200 and premium work $12,800 to $16,000. 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 Rockford?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March 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 stairs" add in Rockford?
$1,500 to $2,800, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Rockford
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