Wood deck cost in Minneapolis, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $8,500 – $17,000
- Per sq ft
- $28 – $56
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #21
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood deck in the Minneapolis area: $8,500 to $17,000 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% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $35.61 an hour in the Minneapolis area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Minneapolis, MN, standard level
$11,000 to $14,400
About $36.50 to $47.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,650 | $7,350 |
| Labor | $5,300 | $6,950 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $130 |
| Total | $11,000 | $14,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Minneapolis, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,350 | $6,500 | $8,650 | 51% |
| Labor | $4,100 | $6,150 | $8,200 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $160 | 1% |
| Total | $8,500 | $12,700 | $17,000 | 100% |
Where the Minneapolis 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 $35.61 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Minneapolis is 1.24 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 48% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Minneapolis is at 103.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $6,500 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.8: $50 to $160.
The best months for wood deck in Minneapolis
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lower St Anthony Falls (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Minneapolis are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Minneapolis gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 22 | 8 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 12 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 24 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 41 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 27 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 27 | 15 | 1.3 | Cold |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Minneapolis
Railing
A wood or vinyl railing adds $20-$60 per linear foot.
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.
Who does the work: Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis the blend is 1.24.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $35.61 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.12 and $44.60 an hour. About 10,200 work in the metro. That is 52.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.79 an hour, which is 31% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.14 an hour. BLS counts 17,330 of them working in the area, 88.8 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 $1,200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $880. That is a swing of roughly 6.9% to 9.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington has 1,951,650 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 14th 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% | $29.12 | $35.61 | $44.60 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $24.17 | $29.79 | $40.14 | $22.66 | 1.31 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.24 | |||||
Optional extras in Minneapolis
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.14 for Minneapolis, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.24) and goods price index (1.03). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,600 – $2,950 |
Related projects, priced for Minneapolis
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Minneapolis wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+24%) and detached garage lowest (+15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $13,900 – $27,900 | +16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,700 | +17% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,700 – $6,750 | +24% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $33,300 – $66,800 | +15% |
Is Minneapolis cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Minneapolis. Eau Claire is the lowest at about $11,100 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MNthis page | $8,500 – $17,000 | $12,700 | |
| St. Cloud, MN70 miles | $7,500 – $15,100 | $11,300 | −11% |
| Rochester, MN90 miles | $7,650 – $15,400 | $11,500 | −10% |
| Eau Claire, WI100 miles | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −13% |
| La Crosse, WI145 miles | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −13% |
| Duluth, MN160 miles | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | −11% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $7,950 – $15,900 | $11,900 | −6% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Minneapolis ranks #21 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Minneapolis is 7% above the Minnesota figure.
Elsewhere in Minnesota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | −11% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $7,650 – $15,400 | $11,500 | −10% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $7,500 – $15,100 | $11,300 | −11% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Minneapolis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $8,600 – $17,200 | $12,900 | +1% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $7,850 – $15,800 | $11,800 | −7% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $9,500 – $19,100 | $14,300 | +12% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $8,250 – $16,500 | $12,400 | −3% |
Cost by quality level and size in Minneapolis
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Minneapolis. 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
$8,500 to $11,900
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$11,000 to $14,400
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$13,600 to $17,000
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,400 – $4,800 | $4,450 – $5,850 | $5,500 – $6,900 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,100 – $5,750 | $5,350 – $7,000 | $6,600 – $8,250 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $9,050 – $12,700 | $11,800 – $15,400 | $14,500 – $18,100 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $11,300 – $15,800 | $14,700 – $19,200 | $18,100 – $22,600 |
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 $11,000 to $14,400 for Minneapolis, MN is attached.
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Multi-page report for Minneapolis, MN: 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 Minneapolis: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Minneapolis?
For 300 sq ft, expect $8,500 to $17,000 in the Minneapolis area. A standard-spec job lands at $11,000 to $14,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Minneapolis?
About $28 to $56 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $160 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Minneapolis or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,300, which is 11% less than Minneapolis ($12,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Minneapolis?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $6,150 out of $12,700. Materials are 51% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Minneapolis?
$9,050 to $18,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Minneapolis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $160 for fees in the Minneapolis area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Minneapolis expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Minneapolis is 7% above the Minnesota statewide estimate ($11,900 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Minneapolis?
The BLS median is $35.61 an hour in the Minneapolis area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.12 to $44.60.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Minneapolis?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $8,500 to $11,900 and premium work $13,600 to $17,000. 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 Minneapolis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Minneapolis?
$1,600 to $2,950, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Minneapolis
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