Wood deck cost in Eau Claire, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,400 – $14,800
- Per sq ft
- $24.50 – $49
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #119
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood deck in the Eau Claire area: $7,400 to $14,800 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 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI, standard level
$9,600 to $12,600
About $32 to $41.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Labor | $4,400 | $5,750 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $9,600 | $12,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Eau Claire, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,900 | 53% |
| Labor | $3,400 | $5,100 | $6,800 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $7,400 | $11,100 | $14,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Eau Claire number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.41 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Eau Claire is 1.03 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 46% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Eau Claire is at 93.8 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 92.8: $45 to $140.
Is Eau Claire cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Minneapolis is the priciest of the group at $12,700. Wausau is the cheapest at $10,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIthis page | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | |
| Wausau, WI75 miles | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | −6% |
| Rochester, MN85 miles | $7,650 – $15,400 | $11,500 | +4% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | level |
| Minneapolis, MN100 miles | $8,500 – $17,000 | $12,700 | +15% |
| Oshkosh, WI140 miles | $8,400 – $16,800 | $12,600 | +14% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,200 | +1% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Eau Claire ranks #119 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Eau Claire is 1% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +3% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | level |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $8,400 – $16,800 | $12,600 | +14% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Eau Claire against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,000 | −9% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −8% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $6,800 – $13,700 | $10,200 | −8% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | level |
Who does the work: Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire the blend is 1.03.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $28.41 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $38.28 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 41.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.00 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.33 and $36.35 an hour. BLS counts 640 of them working in the area, 74.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $680. That is a swing of roughly 6.2% to 12.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Eau Claire has 86,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 226th 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% | $23.39 | $28.41 | $38.28 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.33 | $28.00 | $36.35 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Eau Claire?
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Eau Claire wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+10%) and composite deck lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $11,900 – $23,900 | −1% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,200 | +4% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $28,900 – $58,000 | level |
Add-ons priced for Eau Claire
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Eau Claire, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,400 – $2,550 |
Eau Claire: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Eau Claire. 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
$7,400 to $10,300
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,600 to $12,600
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,800 to $14,800
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,000 – $4,200 | $3,900 – $5,100 | $4,800 – $6,000 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,550 – $5,000 | $4,650 – $6,100 | $5,750 – $7,200 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,850 – $11,000 | $10,200 – $13,400 | $12,600 – $15,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,800 – $13,800 | $12,800 – $16,700 | $15,700 – $19,700 |
The best months for wood deck in Eau Claire
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Eau Claire Rgnl 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 Eau Claire 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.
Eau Claire gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 55 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 23 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 28 | 9 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 21 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 33 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 45 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 56 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 58 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 49 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 37 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 13 | 1.4 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Eau Claire 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.
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 $9,600 to $12,600 for Eau Claire, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the wood deck numbers for Eau Claire, WI 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 Eau Claire: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Eau Claire?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,400 to $14,800 in the Eau Claire area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,600 to $12,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Eau Claire?
About $24.50 to $49 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 Eau Claire or Wausau?
Wausau is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $10,400, which is 6% less than Eau Claire ($11,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Eau Claire?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $5,100 out of $11,100. Materials are 53% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Eau Claire?
$7,850 to $15,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Eau Claire?
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 Eau Claire area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Eau Claire expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire is 1% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($11,200 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Eau Claire?
The BLS median is $28.41 an hour in the Eau Claire area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.39 to $38.28.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Eau Claire?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,400 to $10,300 and premium work $11,800 to $14,800. 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 Eau Claire?
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 Eau Claire?
$1,400 to $2,550, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Eau Claire
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