Wood deck cost in Chattanooga, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $6,900 – $13,800
- Per sq ft
- $23 – $45.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #200
- 1 = most expensive
Chattanooga homeowners pay roughly $6,900 to $13,800 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $23 to $45.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Chattanooga is 9% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $24.41 an hour in the Chattanooga area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN, standard level
$9,000 to $11,800
About $29.50 to $39 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 41% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,250 | $6,850 |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $9,000 | $11,800 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $6,050 | $8,050 | 58% |
| Labor | $2,800 | $4,250 | $5,650 | 41% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $90 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $6,900 | $10,400 | $13,800 | 100% |
Why Chattanooga prices look the way they do
Labor is 41% of the midpoint bill here, against 44% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Chattanooga the blended ratio comes out at 0.85.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chattanooga metro is 96.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,050, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.5) and land at $45 to $140.
When to schedule wood deck in Chattanooga
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chattanooga Lovell Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Chattanooga (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Chattanooga gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.9 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 58 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 | 51 | 32 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 70 | 3.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 35 | 5.3 | Workable |
Chattanooga against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
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 $9,700 to $10,800 across Chattanooga and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TNthis page | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | |
| Dalton, GA35 miles | $6,450 – $12,900 | $9,700 | −7% |
| Huntsville, AL80 miles | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −2% |
| Knoxville, TN95 miles | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +1% |
| Gainesville, GA100 miles | $6,650 – $13,300 | $10,000 | −4% |
| Nashville, TN105 miles | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | +4% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +1% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Chattanooga comes in at #200 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Chattanooga is 1% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | +4% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $6,900 – $13,900 | $10,400 | level |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $6,800 – $13,700 | $10,200 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Chattanooga's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chattanooga against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $8,200 – $16,500 | $12,300 | +19% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −2% |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −2% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $6,650 – $13,300 | $10,000 | −4% |
Add-ons priced for Chattanooga
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Chattanooga by the average of the local wage index (0.85) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.91. 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) | $1,250 – $2,350 |
Chattanooga: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chattanooga 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
$6,900 to $9,650
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,000 to $11,800
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,100 to $13,800
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,800 – $3,900 | $3,650 – $4,750 | $4,500 – $5,600 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,350 – $4,700 | $4,350 – $5,700 | $5,350 – $6,700 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,350 – $10,300 | $9,550 – $12,500 | $11,800 – $14,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,200 – $12,900 | $11,900 – $15,600 | $14,700 – $18,400 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Chattanooga bid
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.
Railing
A wood or vinyl railing adds $20-$60 per linear foot.
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 Chattanooga is 0.85 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $24.41 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.40 and $29.19 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 23.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $20.80 an hour, 8% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.64 and $23.48 an hour. About 1,800 work in the metro. That is 67.0 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 ($29.19 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $650. At the 25th percentile ($22.40) it shrinks by about $270. The total moves by 6.3% or 2.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 268,750 jobs in the Chattanooga area. That makes it the 98th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.17% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $22.40 | $24.41 | $29.19 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.64 | $20.80 | $23.48 | $22.66 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Chattanooga
Because every project leans on different trades, Chattanooga's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −3% and concrete patio −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $10,800 – $21,700 | −10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,300 | −3% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $26,600 – $53,400 | −8% |
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 $9,000 to $11,800 for Chattanooga, TN is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Chattanooga, TN: 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 Chattanooga: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Chattanooga?
For 300 sq ft, expect $6,900 to $13,800 in the Chattanooga area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,000 to $11,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Chattanooga?
About $23 to $45.50 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 Chattanooga or Dalton?
Dalton is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $9,700, which is 7% less than Chattanooga ($10,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chattanooga?
About 41% at the midpoint, or $4,250 out of $10,400. Materials are 58% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Chattanooga?
$7,350 to $14,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Chattanooga?
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 Chattanooga area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chattanooga expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Chattanooga is 1% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($10,400 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chattanooga?
The BLS median is $24.41 an hour in the Chattanooga area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.40 to $29.19.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Chattanooga?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $6,900 to $9,650 and premium work $11,100 to $13,800. 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 Chattanooga?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. May 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 Chattanooga?
$1,250 to $2,350, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Chattanooga
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