Wood deck cost in Dayton, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,250 – $14,600
- Per sq ft
- $24 – $48
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #141
- 1 = most expensive
A wood deck in Dayton, OH usually costs $7,250 to $14,600 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $24 to $48 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $430 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.6).
Estimate your wood deck cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Dayton, OH, standard level
$9,450 to $12,400
About $31.50 to $41 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Labor | $4,250 | $5,600 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $9,450 | $12,400 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Dayton, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,850 | 54% |
| Labor | $3,300 | $4,950 | $6,550 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $7,250 | $10,900 | $14,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Dayton number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Dayton wages are 1.00 times the national level. Labor makes up about 45% of the midpoint estimate (44% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Dayton is at 93.6 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 92.7: $45 to $140.
Extras that change the Dayton total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.97 for Dayton, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.00) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,350 – $2,500 |
How Dayton compares
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 $10,500 to $11,600 across Dayton and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton, OHthis page | $7,250 – $14,600 | $10,900 | |
| Cincinnati, OH55 miles | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | +2% |
| Columbus, OH70 miles | $7,750 – $15,500 | $11,600 | +6% |
| Fort Wayne, IN100 miles | $7,300 – $14,700 | $11,000 | +1% |
| Indianapolis, IN105 miles | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +4% |
| Lexington, KY120 miles | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,500 | −4% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | +2% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Dayton ranks #141 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Dayton is 2% below the Ohio figure.
Elsewhere in Ohio
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $7,750 – $15,500 | $11,600 | +6% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | +2% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,200 | +2% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $7,450 – $15,000 | $11,200 | +3% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | +1% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $7,200 – $14,400 | $10,800 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dayton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +4% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −6% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $6,850 – $13,800 | $10,300 | −6% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $6,600 – $13,200 | $9,900 | −9% |
Dayton weather and the wood deck calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Dayton Mcd (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 Dayton 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.
Dayton gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 12 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.5 inches in April). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 39 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 | 36 | 20 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 40 | 23 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 31 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 64 | 41 | 4.5 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 53 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 62 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 66 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 64 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 56 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 33 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 26 | 3.1 | Cold |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Dayton
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).
What local crews earn in Dayton
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 Dayton the blend is 1.00.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $28.04 an hour, 4% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.03 and $31.60 an hour. About 950 work in the metro. That is 25.5 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 $25.48 an hour, which is 12% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $35.00 an hour. BLS counts 1,390 of them working in the area, 37.3 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 $480 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $680. That is a swing of roughly 6.2% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek has 372,660 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 70th 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% | $23.03 | $28.04 | $31.60 | $29.12 | 0.96 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.00 | $25.48 | $35.00 | $22.66 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood deck pricing in Dayton
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Dayton. 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
$7,250 to $10,200
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,450 to $12,400
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,600 to $14,600
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,950 – $4,100 | $3,850 – $5,000 | $4,700 – $5,900 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,500 – $4,950 | $4,600 – $6,000 | $5,650 – $7,050 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,750 – $10,900 | $10,100 – $13,200 | $12,400 – $15,500 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,650 – $13,600 | $12,600 – $16,500 | $15,500 – $19,400 |
Related projects, priced for Dayton
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Dayton wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+2%) and composite deck lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $11,700 – $23,500 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,200 – $56,600 | −3% |
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 $9,450 to $12,400 for Dayton, OH is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Dayton, OH, $9
Multi-page report for Dayton, OH: 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 Dayton: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Dayton?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,250 to $14,600 in the Dayton area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,450 to $12,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Dayton?
About $24 to $48 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 Dayton or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,100, which is 2% more than Dayton ($10,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dayton?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $4,950 out of $10,900. Materials are 54% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Dayton?
$7,750 to $15,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Dayton?
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 Dayton area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dayton expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Ohio?
Dayton is 2% below the Ohio statewide estimate ($11,100 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Dayton?
The BLS median is $28.04 an hour in the Dayton area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.03 to $31.60.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Dayton?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,250 to $10,200 and premium work $11,600 to $14,600. 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 Dayton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. 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 Dayton?
$1,350 to $2,500, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Dayton
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