Wood deck cost in Kenosha, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,850 – $15,700
- Per sq ft
- $26 – $52
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #58
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a wood deck in Kenosha, plan on $7,850 to $15,700 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $26 to $52 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% higher than the national one. Building materials run about 6% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 106.2).
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Kenosha, WI, standard level
$10,200 to $13,300
About $33.50 to $44 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $7,600 |
| Labor | $4,300 | $5,650 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $120 |
| Total | $10,200 | $13,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Kenosha, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,450 | $6,700 | $8,900 | 57% |
| Labor | $3,300 | $5,000 | $6,650 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $100 | $150 | 1% |
| Total | $7,850 | $11,800 | $15,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Kenosha number
Labor is 42% 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 Kenosha the blended ratio comes out at 1.01.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Kenosha metro is 106.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $6,700, compared with $6,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.1) and land at $50 to $150.
Climate in Kenosha: timing your wood deck job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Kenosha Rgnl Ap (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 Kenosha (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.
Kenosha gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, June and August (3.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.0 and 2.0 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 28 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 57 | 37 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 32 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 37 | 22 | 1.5 | Cold |
Why two Kenosha quotes can differ
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: wood deck pricing in Kenosha
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Kenosha 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
$7,850 to $11,000
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$10,200 to $13,300
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$12,600 to $15,700
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,150 – $4,450 | $4,150 – $5,400 | $5,100 – $6,400 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,800 – $5,300 | $4,950 – $6,450 | $6,100 – $7,600 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $8,350 – $11,700 | $10,900 – $14,200 | $13,400 – $16,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $10,400 – $14,600 | $13,600 – $17,800 | $16,700 – $20,900 |
Planning more than one job in Kenosha?
Because every project leans on different trades, Kenosha's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +11% and composite deck +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $12,400 – $24,800 | +3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,250 | +6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,050 | +11% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $30,500 – $61,200 | +5% |
Extras that change the Kenosha total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Kenosha by the average of the local wage index (1.01) and goods index (1.06), a factor of 1.03. 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) | $1,450 – $2,700 |
Is Kenosha cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Chicago is the priciest of the group at $13,400. Racine is the cheapest at $11,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WIthis page | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | |
| Racine, WI15 miles | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | −5% |
| Milwaukee, WI20 miles | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −3% |
| Chicago, IL55 miles | $8,900 – $17,900 | $13,400 | +14% |
| Janesville, WI60 miles | $8,050 – $16,100 | $12,100 | +3% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $7,950 – $16,000 | $12,000 | +2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $7,500 – $15,000 | $11,200 | −4% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Kenosha comes in at #58 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $14,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $9,050 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Kenosha is 5% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| 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 | −4% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −6% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $7,550 – $15,100 | $11,300 | −4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $8,400 – $16,800 | $12,600 | +7% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Kenosha's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Kenosha against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,000 | −15% |
| Abilene, TX | 75,070 jobs | $6,400 – $12,800 | $9,600 | −18% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | −5% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $6,900 – $13,800 | $10,400 | −12% |
Kenosha labor market for wood deck
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 Kenosha is 1.01 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.90 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.15 and $35.62 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the area, 41.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.06 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.67 and $29.45 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 45.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.62 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $910. At the 25th percentile ($24.15) it shrinks by about $650. The total moves by 7.8% or 5.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 75,450 jobs in the Kenosha area. That makes it the 245th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $24.15 | $28.90 | $35.62 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.67 | $24.06 | $29.45 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
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 $10,200 to $13,300 for Kenosha, WI is attached.
Detailed wood deck report for Kenosha, WI, $9
Multi-page report for Kenosha, 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 Kenosha: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Kenosha?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,850 to $15,700 in the Kenosha area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,200 to $13,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in Kenosha?
About $26 to $52 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in Kenosha or Racine?
Racine is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,100, which is 5% less than Kenosha ($11,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Kenosha?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $5,000 out of $11,800. Materials are 57% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in Kenosha?
$8,350 to $16,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Kenosha?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $150 for fees in the Kenosha area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Kenosha expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Kenosha is 5% 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 Kenosha?
The BLS median is $28.90 an hour in the Kenosha area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.15 to $35.62.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Kenosha?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,850 to $11,000 and premium work $12,600 to $15,700. 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 Kenosha?
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 Kenosha?
$1,450 to $2,700, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Kenosha
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