Wood deck cost in Ann Arbor, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,550 – $15,100
- Per sq ft
- $25 – $50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #93
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood deck in the Ann Arbor area: $7,550 to $15,100 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 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Ann Arbor, MI, standard level
$9,800 to $12,900
About $32.50 to $42.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $6,050 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $9,800 | $12,900 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Ann Arbor, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,850 | 52% |
| Labor | $3,550 | $5,350 | $7,100 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $7,550 | $11,300 | $15,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Ann Arbor number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Ann Arbor wages are 1.08 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Ann Arbor is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $5,900 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 100.9: $50 to $150.
The best months for wood deck in Ann Arbor
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ann Arbor Muni 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 Ann Arbor are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Ann Arbor gets about 30 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 1.9 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 32 | 15 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 16 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 25 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 35 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 46 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 57 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 57 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 48 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 38 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.7 | Cold |
Who does the work: Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor the blend is 1.08.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $31.33 an hour, 8% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.61 and $36.52 an hour. About 640 work in the metro. That is 29.1 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 $24.48 an hour, which is 8% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.01 and $29.43 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 23.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $710 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $640. That is a swing of roughly 5.7% to 6.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Ann Arbor has 219,730 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 110th 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% | $26.61 | $31.33 | $36.52 | $29.12 | 1.08 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.01 | $24.48 | $29.43 | $22.66 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.08 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Ann Arbor
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Ann Arbor wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+6%) and concrete patio lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $12,300 – $24,700 | +2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +6% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,400 – $59,100 | +2% |
Cost by quality level and size in Ann Arbor
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Ann Arbor. 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
$7,550 to $10,600
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,800 to $12,900
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,100 to $15,100
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,050 – $4,300 | $4,000 – $5,200 | $4,900 – $6,150 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,650 – $5,100 | $4,750 – $6,250 | $5,850 – $7,350 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,050 – $11,300 | $10,500 – $13,700 | $12,900 – $16,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,000 – $14,100 | $13,100 – $17,100 | $16,100 – $20,100 |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Ann Arbor
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.
Is Ann Arbor cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $11,000 to $11,800 across Ann Arbor and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MIthis page | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | |
| Detroit, MI45 miles | $7,850 – $15,800 | $11,800 | +4% |
| Toledo, OH50 miles | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | −3% |
| Lansing, MI50 miles | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +1% |
| Flint, MI55 miles | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | −1% |
| Saginaw, MI75 miles | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −2% |
| Michigan (statewide) | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | −1% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Ann Arbor ranks #93 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Ann Arbor is 1% above the Michigan figure.
Elsewhere in Michigan
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $7,850 – $15,800 | $11,800 | +4% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $7,200 – $14,500 | $10,900 | −4% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +1% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | −1% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −2% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Ann Arbor against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona, FL | 219,740 jobs | $6,750 – $13,500 | $10,100 | −11% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +1% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | −8% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 jobs | $8,800 – $17,700 | $13,300 | +17% |
Extras that change the Ann Arbor total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.01 for Ann Arbor, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.08) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,400 – $2,600 |
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 $9,800 to $12,900 for Ann Arbor, MI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the wood deck numbers for Ann Arbor, MI line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 Ann Arbor: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Ann Arbor?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,550 to $15,100 in the Ann Arbor area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,800 to $12,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Ann Arbor?
About $25 to $50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Ann Arbor or Detroit?
Detroit is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,800, which is 4% more than Ann Arbor ($11,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Ann Arbor?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $5,350 out of $11,300. Materials are 52% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Ann Arbor?
$8,050 to $16,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Ann Arbor?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Ann Arbor area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Ann Arbor expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Michigan?
Ann Arbor is 1% above the Michigan statewide estimate ($11,200 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Ann Arbor?
The BLS median is $31.33 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.61 to $36.52.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Ann Arbor?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,550 to $10,600 and premium work $12,100 to $15,100. 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 Ann Arbor?
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 Ann Arbor?
$1,400 to $2,600, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Ann Arbor
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