Wood deck cost in Nashville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,150 – $14,400
- Per sq ft
- $23.50 – $47.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #157
- 1 = most expensive
A wood deck in Nashville, TN usually costs $7,150 to $14,400 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $23.50 to $47.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $570 less. Carpenters earn a median of $26.81 an hour in the Nashville area, 8% below the US median of $29.12.
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 Nashville, TN, standard level
$9,350 to $12,200
About $31 to $40.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,250 | $6,850 |
| Labor | $4,000 | $5,250 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $9,350 | $12,200 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Nashville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $6,050 | $8,100 | 56% |
| Labor | $3,100 | $4,600 | $6,150 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $7,150 | $10,800 | $14,400 | 100% |
Where the Nashville price comes from
Labor is 43% 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 Nashville the blended ratio comes out at 0.93.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Nashville is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $6,050 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.3: $50 to $140.
What local crews earn in Nashville
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 Nashville the blend is 0.93.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $26.81 an hour, 8% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.80 and $29.35 an hour. About 3,040 work in the metro. That is 27.7 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 $22.21 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.67 and $24.27 an hour. BLS counts 9,170 of them working in the area, 83.4 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 $350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $410. That is a swing of roughly 3.8% to 3.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin has 1,099,300 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 33rd 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% | $23.80 | $26.81 | $29.35 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.67 | $22.21 | $24.27 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Is Nashville cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Nashville. Huntsville is the lowest at about $10,200 (midpoint, 300 sq ft), 90 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TNthis page | $7,150 – $14,400 | $10,800 | |
| Clarksville, TN65 miles | $6,800 – $13,700 | $10,200 | −5% |
| Bowling Green, KY70 miles | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | −3% |
| Huntsville, AL90 miles | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −6% |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | −4% |
| Decatur, AL115 miles | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −5% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | −3% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Nashville ranks #157 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Nashville is 3% above the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $6,900 – $13,900 | $10,400 | −3% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $6,950 – $13,900 | $10,400 | −3% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | −4% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $6,850 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −5% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $6,800 – $13,700 | $10,200 | −5% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Nashville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $7,350 – $14,800 | $11,100 | +3% |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | +3% |
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +5% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $8,550 – $17,200 | $12,900 | +19% |
Wood deck: what moves the price in Nashville
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.
Planning more than one job in Nashville?
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Nashville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−1%) and concrete patio lowest (−7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $11,400 – $22,800 | −6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,950 – $5,400 | −1% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $27,300 – $54,900 | −6% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood deck pricing in Nashville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Nashville. 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
$7,150 to $10,100
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,350 to $12,200
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,500 to $14,400
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,900 – $4,050 | $3,800 – $4,950 | $4,650 – $5,850 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,450 – $4,850 | $4,500 – $5,950 | $5,550 – $7,000 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,650 – $10,700 | $9,950 – $13,000 | $12,300 – $15,300 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,550 – $13,400 | $12,400 – $16,300 | $15,300 – $19,100 |
Add-ons priced for Nashville
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.95 for Nashville, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.93) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,350 – $2,450 |
Nashville 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, Nashville Intl 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 Nashville are September through June: 10 of 12. Outside them, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Nashville gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (5.0 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.8 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 54 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 | 49 | 30 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Feb | 54 | 33 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 4.7 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 66 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 69 | 3.8 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 62 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 61 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 33 | 4.4 | Workable |
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 $9,350 to $12,200 for Nashville, TN is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Nashville, 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 Nashville: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Nashville?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,150 to $14,400 in the Nashville area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,350 to $12,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Nashville?
About $23.50 to $47.50 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 Nashville or Clarksville?
Clarksville is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $10,200, which is 5% less than Nashville ($10,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Nashville?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $4,600 out of $10,800. Materials are 56% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Nashville?
$7,650 to $15,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Nashville?
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 Nashville area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Nashville expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Nashville is 3% above 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 Nashville?
The BLS median is $26.81 an hour in the Nashville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.80 to $29.35.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Nashville?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,150 to $10,100 and premium work $11,500 to $14,400. 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 Nashville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. 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 Nashville?
$1,350 to $2,450, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Nashville
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