Wood deck cost in Bloomington, IN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,350 – $14,800
- Per sq ft
- $24.50 – $49
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #122
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a wood deck in Bloomington, plan on $7,350 to $14,800 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $24.50 to $49 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.3).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Bloomington, IN, standard level
$9,600 to $12,600
About $31.50 to $41.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,150 | $6,750 |
| Labor | $4,350 | $5,700 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $9,600 | $12,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Bloomington, IN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,950 | $7,900 | 54% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $5,050 | $6,700 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $7,350 | $11,100 | $14,800 | 100% |
Why Bloomington prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.50 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Bloomington is 1.02 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 45% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Bloomington metro is 94.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $5,950, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.1) and land at $50 to $140.
Planning more than one job in Bloomington?
Because every project leans on different trades, Bloomington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete patio runs +2% and detached garage −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $11,900 – $23,800 | −1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,500 – $57,300 | −1% |
Cost by quality level and size in Bloomington
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Bloomington 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
$7,350 to $10,300
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,600 to $12,600
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,800 to $14,800
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,950 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,100 | $4,800 – $6,000 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,550 – $5,000 | $4,650 – $6,100 | $5,700 – $7,150 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,850 – $11,000 | $10,200 – $13,400 | $12,600 – $15,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,800 – $13,700 | $12,800 – $16,700 | $15,700 – $19,700 |
Add-ons priced for Bloomington
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Bloomington by the average of the local wage index (1.02) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.98. 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) | $1,350 – $2,550 |
Bloomington labor market for wood deck
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 Bloomington is 1.02 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $29.50 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.82 and $35.36 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 36.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.42 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $30.52 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 49.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.36 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $800. At the 25th percentile ($23.82) it shrinks by about $770. The total moves by 7.2% or 7.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 73,240 jobs in the Bloomington area. That makes it the 251st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.82 | $29.50 | $35.36 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.28 | $23.42 | $30.52 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Climate in Bloomington: timing your wood deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Bloomington Indiana Univ (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Bloomington (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.
Bloomington gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 18 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and August are the driest, at 3.7 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 21 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 | 37 | 21 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 52 | 32 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 64 | 42 | 5.2 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 53 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 65 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 64 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 56 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 34 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 26 | 3.5 | Cold |
Bloomington against nearby metros and the rest of Indiana
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Bloomington. Louisville is the lowest at about $10,800 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 90 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, INthis page | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | |
| Terre Haute, IN40 miles | $7,300 – $14,600 | $10,900 | −1% |
| Indianapolis, IN50 miles | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +3% |
| Louisville, KY90 miles | $7,200 – $14,500 | $10,800 | −2% |
| Lafayette, IN90 miles | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | +1% |
| Evansville, IN95 miles | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +3% |
| Indiana (statewide) | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,300 | +2% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Bloomington comes in at #122 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Bloomington is 2% below the Indiana figure.
Other Indiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +3% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $7,300 – $14,700 | $11,000 | −1% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +3% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | +1% |
| Elkhart, IN | 127,730 jobs | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | +2% |
| Lafayette, IN | 102,200 jobs | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Bloomington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bloomington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $9,450 – $18,900 | $14,200 | +28% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | −9% |
| Rapid City, SD | 73,820 jobs | $6,800 – $13,700 | $10,200 | −7% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $7,200 – $14,500 | $10,800 | −2% |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Bloomington
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.
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 $9,600 to $12,600 for Bloomington, IN is attached.
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Multi-page report for Bloomington, IN: 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 Bloomington: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Bloomington?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,350 to $14,800 in the Bloomington area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,600 to $12,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Bloomington?
About $24.50 to $49 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Bloomington or Terre Haute?
Terre Haute is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $10,900, which is 1% less than Bloomington ($11,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bloomington?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $5,050 out of $11,100. Materials are 54% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Bloomington?
$7,850 to $15,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Bloomington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $140 for fees in the Bloomington area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bloomington expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Indiana?
Bloomington is 2% below the Indiana statewide estimate ($11,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Indiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Bloomington?
The BLS median is $29.50 an hour in the Bloomington area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.82 to $35.36.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Bloomington?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,350 to $10,300 and premium work $11,800 to $14,800. 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 Bloomington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and August 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 Bloomington?
$1,350 to $2,550, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Bloomington
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