Decking Network · Planning your investment
For a straightforward professionally installed deck, our guide starts at £300–£340 per m² for treated pine and £400–£550 per m² for premium composite or mineral decking, excluding VAT.
Including VAT at 20%, those allowances become £360–£408 per m² for pine and £480–£660 per m² for premium composite or mineral decking.
These are starting budgets for simple low-level work with a timber supporting frame, rather than quotations for a particular site. Steps, balustrades, removal, specialist frames and finishing details can increase the total substantially.
How much does decking cost per square metre?
Start with the complete installed price, because an advertised board price excludes much of the work needed for a deck.
The following Decking Network allowances retain this guide’s broad ranges; actual quotations depend on specification and site conditions.
| Material | Excluding VAT | Including 20% VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Treated pine | £300–£340 per m² | £360–£408 per m² |
| Premium composite or mineral decking | £400–£550 per m² | £480–£660 per m² |
| Selected hardwood, straightforward finish | £450–£500 per m² | £540–£600 per m² |
| Modified timber, such as Accoya® or Kebony® | From £450 per m² | From £540 per m² |
Our leading Tier 1 recommendation: Deckorators® Excursion
Premium performance at a sensible price
Deckorators Excursion is my first recommendation when a homeowner wants the best balance of premium performance, appearance and value.
Its Surestone® mineral-based construction offers low thermal movement, while its attractive colours and textured finish work beautifully within a garden design.
I regard Excursion as excellent value within the premium category, especially when assessing performance alongside the complete installed cost.
Here, “Tier 1” describes our premium product grouping; it is an editorial category rather than independent certification or test classification.
Stability and strength
Deckorators describes Surestone® as offering low thermal expansion and virtually no moisture absorption, with a strong, lightweight mineral-based core.
The manufacturer reports approximately 35% less weight than traditional composites, an advantage worth considering when handling boards and planning installation.
Reduced solar heat gain
The Excursion brochure describes infrared-reflective materials in the cap that reduce solar heat gain, making heat performance a selection factor.
Sunlight, colour and surrounding conditions still affect surface temperature, so reduced heat gain should not imply a permanently cool surface.
Enhanced wet traction
Deckorators highlights the board’s vertical grain and enhanced traction, and reports wet testing to AS/NZS 4586:2013.
That is an important consideration for outdoor use, alongside correct installation and cleaning to keep the surface free from contamination.
Beautiful colour choices
The UK range includes Bali, Tahiti, Amalfi, Riviera and Oslo, giving warm and cooler tones to coordinate with the garden.
View physical samples in your own light before deciding, rather than relying entirely on a photograph or screen colour.
Price the Excursion system properly
For concealed fixings, specify StealthLock™ Universal Deck Clips for grooved-edge boards and the compatible Pro Plug® System at appropriate face-fixed details.
Include separate fascia requirements and supporting details in the quotation, following the current instructions for the particular boards and frame.
Use the premium category above as an initial allowance, then obtain a quotation for your Excursion colour, layout and finishing details.
Explore Deckorators Excursion ·
Request colour samples ·
Installation and technical guidance
How do other decking materials compare?
Treated pine: sensible entry-level value
A well-designed smooth pine deck can provide a practical, attractive garden space without the material cost of a premium board.
Choose suitable treatment, sound structural detailing and appropriate fixings, allowing for cleaning and any finish maintenance you want over time.
Millboard and Trex: alternative premium options
Millboard and Trex remain options worth comparing for their appearance, product ranges and project-specific installation requirements.
For Millboard, specify Durafix®; for Trex, use recommended fixings for the exact range and detail, checking the applicable warranty conditions.
Modified timber: a natural timber finish
Accoya® and Kebony® merit consideration where real timber forms an important part of the design and the budget permits it.
The board profile, fixing system and desired finish affect the price, alongside the structure and level of craftsmanship required.
Hardwood: material and detailing matter
Hardwood prices vary with species, grade, dimensions and availability, while drilling, plugging, finishing and complex layouts can increase labour costs.
Ask about responsible sourcing and suitability for the intended exposure, rather than assuming every hardwood performs equally well outdoors.
What might a 20, 30 or 50 m² deck cost?
Multiply the area by the appropriate installed allowance, then add the project items excluded from that allowance.
| Deck area | Treated pine | Premium composite or mineral decking |
|---|---|---|
| 20 m² | £7,200–£8,160 | £9,600–£13,200 |
| 30 m² | £10,800–£12,240 | £14,400–£19,800 |
| 50 m² | £18,000–£20,400 | £24,000–£33,000 |
These examples use the guide rates above and exclude additional project requirements; they are calculations rather than quotations or package prices.
Small decks may have a higher unit cost because mobilisation, deliveries and preparation do not reduce directly with their area.
What increases the cost of decking installation?
- Removal and disposal: taking out existing decking, foundations or unsuitable construction.
- Ground and supports: difficult excavation, uncertain ground conditions and project-specific foundations.
- Height and levels: raised structures, multiple terraces, stairs and guarding requirements.
- Finishing details: picture frames, fascia, bullnose components, lift-out hatches and carefully formed junctions.
- Curves and patterns: additional setting out, cutting, handling and material waste.
- Specialist frames: aluminium, steel or proprietary systems with their own support and fixing requirements.
- Access and logistics: restricted deliveries, long carrying distances, parking and working restrictions.
- Additional features: lighting, planting, seating, pergolas and drainage work.
A premium board on a straightforward layout may offer better value than a cheaper board within a complicated, labour-intensive design.
How much of the price is labour?
Installation labour covers setting out, groundworks, constructing the frame, fitting the boards and completing the details, alongside handling and organisation.
A square-metre labour rate means little unless you know the construction and included tasks, particularly on raised or restricted sites.
If you provide the materials yourself, agree responsibility for quantities, compatibility, delivery, waste and shortages before the installer prices work.
Will a cheaper board make the whole deck cheaper?
Compare the saving against the complete project cost, because the frame, supports and installation still need to meet the requirements.
Check the exact product, installation guidance, technical support and warranty terms before choosing an unfamiliar or low-priced composite board.
A hollow profile or low price alone does not prove failure, but uncertain provenance and weak technical information deserve scrutiny.
Keep the structure and fixings in the budget
Do not reduce the specification of the supporting frame or substitute unsuitable fixings simply to afford more expensive surface boards.
Manufacturer product warranties have specific conditions and do not automatically cover the frame, workmanship or every part of the project.
Read our updated guide to decking screws and fixing systems.
What should you send an installer before requesting a quotation?
- Photographs, approximate dimensions and the site location.
- The proposed height and any changes in garden level.
- Your preferred board, colour and overall design.
- Details of steps, balustrades, fascia and other features.
- What needs removing, and any known access restrictions.
- Your budget including VAT, and whether design or survey work is already complete.
This allows a useful preliminary budget discussion before a detailed survey, design and final quotation establish the full scope.
Ask whether the quotation includes design, supports, fixings, waste, disposal and finishing, and identify provisional sums or exclusions clearly.
Common questions about decking costs
Do these prices include VAT?
Both versions appear in the main table, while the example project budgets include VAT at 20% for straightforward comparison.
Confirm the VAT position in the actual quotation rather than assuming every contractor presents prices in the same way.
Can an existing frame save money?
Potentially, if inspection establishes that its condition, layout and fixings suit the proposed decking and intended use.
Do not assume a frame remains suitable merely because it supported the previous boards.
Is composite decking maintenance-free?
It still needs appropriate cleaning and care, although product choice can reduce the finishing work associated with some timber decks.
Compare maintenance requirements, performance and the complete specification when deciding what represents value over the life of the installation.
Start with a clear budget and a complete specification
For a premium project, I would put Deckorators Excursion first on your shortlist and compare fully specified installed quotations.
Choose the material, structure and detailing together, so the finished deck meets your expectations and the budget reflects the work.
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