Wood deck cost in Janesville, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $8,050 – $16,100
- Per sq ft
- $26.50 – $53.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #43
- 1 = most expensive
Janesville homeowners pay roughly $8,050 to $16,100 to build a wood deck at 300 sq ft, or $26.50 to $53.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Janesville is 7% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $36.24 an hour in the Janesville area, 24% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Janesville, WI, standard level
$10,500 to $13,700
About $34.50 to $45.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Labor | $5,300 | $6,900 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $110 |
| Total | $10,500 | $13,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Janesville, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,900 | 49% |
| Labor | $4,050 | $6,100 | $8,150 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $8,050 | $12,100 | $16,100 | 100% |
Why Janesville prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $36.24 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Janesville is 1.23 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Janesville metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $5,900, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.7) and land at $45 to $140.
Specs and site conditions that change a Janesville bid
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.
How Janesville 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 $11,100 to $12,100 across Janesville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WIthis page | $8,050 – $16,100 | $12,100 | |
| Rockford, IL25 miles | $7,950 – $16,000 | $12,000 | −1% |
| Madison, WI40 miles | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −6% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | −3% |
| Milwaukee, WI65 miles | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −6% |
| Racine, WI65 miles | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | −8% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,200 | −7% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −6% |
Across 300 US metros, Janesville comes in at #43 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Janesville is 8% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −6% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −6% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −8% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | −6% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $8,400 – $16,800 | $12,600 | +4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like Janesville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Janesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $7,600 – $15,300 | $11,400 | −5% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | −14% |
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $7,150 – $14,300 | $10,700 | −11% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | −16% |
Add-ons priced for Janesville
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Janesville by the average of the local wage index (1.23) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.08. 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) | $1,500 – $2,800 |
When to schedule wood deck in Janesville
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Afton - Janesville Wwtp (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Janesville (9 of 12 months). 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.
Janesville gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.1 and 2.3 inches. The station averages about 13 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 | 28 | 12 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 32 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 25 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 58 | 36 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 48 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 58 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 60 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 40 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 29 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 34 | 18 | 1.9 | Cold |
Janesville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Janesville 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
$8,050 to $11,300
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$10,500 to $13,700
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,900 to $16,100
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,250 – $4,550 | $4,250 – $5,550 | $5,250 – $6,550 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,900 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,650 | $6,250 – $7,800 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,600 – $12,000 | $11,200 – $14,600 | $13,800 – $17,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,700 – $15,000 | $13,900 – $18,300 | $17,200 – $21,500 |
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 Janesville is 1.23 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $36.24 an hour, which is 24% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $39.98 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 51.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $26.77 an hour, 18% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $36.28 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 68.7 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 ($39.98 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $510. At the 25th percentile ($23.92) it shrinks by about $1,700. The total moves by 4.2% or 13.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 69,870 jobs in the Janesville-Beloit area. That makes it the 260th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $23.92 | $36.24 | $39.98 | $29.12 | 1.24 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.00 | $26.77 | $36.28 | $22.66 | 1.18 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.23 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Janesville?
Because every project leans on different trades, Janesville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, composite deck runs +11% and paver patio +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $13,400 – $26,900 | +11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,500 | +11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,900 | +8% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $31,600 – $63,400 | +9% |
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 $10,500 to $13,700 for Janesville, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Janesville, WI: 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 Janesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Janesville?
For 300 sq ft, expect $8,050 to $16,100 in the Janesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,500 to $13,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Janesville?
About $26.50 to $53.50 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 Janesville or Rockford?
Rockford is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $12,000, which is 1% less than Janesville ($12,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Janesville?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,100 out of $12,100. Materials are 49% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Janesville?
$8,600 to $17,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Janesville?
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 Janesville area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Janesville expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Janesville is 8% above 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 Janesville?
The BLS median is $36.24 an hour in the Janesville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.92 to $39.98.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Janesville?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $8,050 to $11,300 and premium work $12,900 to $16,100. 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 Janesville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and November 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 Janesville?
$1,500 to $2,800, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Janesville
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