Wood deck cost in Racine, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $7,400 – $14,900
- Per sq ft
- $24.50 – $49
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #111
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood deck in the Racine area: $7,400 to $14,900 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 Racine, WI, standard level
$9,650 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 | $4,450 | $5,800 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $9,650 | $12,600 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Racine, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,900 | 53% |
| Labor | $3,400 | $5,100 | $6,850 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $95 | $140 | 1% |
| Total | $7,400 | $11,100 | $14,900 | 100% |
Why Racine 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 $29.29 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Racine is 1.04 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 46% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Racine 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 96.0: $50 to $140.
How Racine compares
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Racine. Sheboygan comes closest at about $11,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WIthis page | $7,400 – $14,900 | $11,100 | |
| Milwaukee, WI10 miles | $7,600 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +2% |
| Kenosha, WI15 miles | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | +6% |
| Sheboygan, WI65 miles | $7,500 – $15,100 | $11,300 | +1% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $8,050 – $16,100 | $12,100 | +9% |
| Chicago, IL70 miles | $8,900 – $17,900 | $13,400 | +20% |
| 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, Racine ranks #111 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Racine 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 | +2% |
| 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 | +13% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $7,400 – $14,800 | $11,100 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Racine against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $8,800 – $17,700 | $13,300 | +19% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $6,700 – $13,400 | $10,000 | −10% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $8,400 – $16,800 | $12,600 | +13% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $7,850 – $15,700 | $11,800 | +6% |
The best months for wood deck in Racine
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Racine Batten 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 Racine are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March 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.
Racine gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 7 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 37 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 46 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 57 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 63 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 32 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.6 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Racine bid
Railing
A wood or vinyl railing adds $20-$60 per linear foot.
Replacement versus new
Deck replacement costs $30-$55 per sq ft because of demolition and haul-away.
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
Racine: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Racine. 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 $10,400
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$9,650 to $12,600
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$11,900 to $14,900
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 – $6,050 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,600 – $5,050 | $4,650 – $6,100 | $5,750 – $7,200 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $7,900 – $11,100 | $10,300 – $13,500 | $12,700 – $15,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $9,850 – $13,800 | $12,800 – $16,800 | $15,800 – $19,800 |
Who does the work: Racine 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 Racine the blend is 1.04.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $29.29 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.84 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 42.0 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 $26.11 an hour, which is 15% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.83 and $33.66 an hour. BLS counts 540 of them working in the area, 70.8 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 $1,550 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $700. That is a swing of roughly 6.3% to 14.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Racine-Mount Pleasant has 76,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 243rd 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% | $24.17 | $29.29 | $40.84 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.83 | $26.11 | $33.66 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Add-ons priced for Racine
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.99 for Racine, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.04) 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 |
What nearby projects cost in Racine
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Racine wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+8%) and composite deck lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $12,000 – $24,100 | level |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,250 | +5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,850 | +8% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $29,300 – $58,900 | +1% |
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 $9,650 to $12,600 for Racine, WI is attached.
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Multi-page report for Racine, 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 Racine: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in Racine?
For 300 sq ft, expect $7,400 to $14,900 in the Racine area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,650 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 Racine?
About $24.50 to $49 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 Racine or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $11,400, which is 2% more than Racine ($11,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Racine?
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 Racine?
$7,900 to $15,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in Racine?
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 Racine area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Racine expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Racine 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 Racine?
The BLS median is $29.29 an hour in the Racine area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.17 to $40.84.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in Racine?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $7,400 to $10,400 and premium work $11,900 to $14,900. 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 Racine?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. July 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 Racine?
$1,400 to $2,550, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near Racine
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