Decking cost Calculator, Decking labour rates and decking cost per sq m.
How Much Does decking Cost
The cost of all types of decking explained, Composite, Softwood and Hardwood decking prices.
The real cost of Softwood decking, Hardwood timber decking and composite decking information is updated on the Decking Network. It is vital that the end-user or home owner appreciate the difference in look, quality, longevity and most importantly cost. The costings below pertain to a simple design of a low-level decking project to include a substructure.
What is the cost of Softwood Decking?
The best decking in softwood for you is one that you can afford and one you will be happy with. Do consider the colour, board length and fixing technique. I wouldn’t get carried away with rebating and plugging holes in softwood or using a hidden fastening system. These methods will add unnecessary costs to what should be an entry-level product.
For standard decking, the thickness of approx 28-38mm for pine is acceptable with decking screws simply inserted 2 per timber joists set at 400mm intervals, no need to pre-drill (except for the board end) as the timber is soft enough not to split, allow the screw to be inserted slightly under the surface. This allows for a light sand prior to finishing the deck with exterior timber oil to enhance the look and increase longevity.
There’s nothing wrong with PINE decking
Softwood Pine timber decking installation will cost from £260.00 to £300.00 per square metre, with balustrade to match costing £150.00 to £200.00 per linear metre.
Although Cedar is softwood and in some cases softer than pine should not get confused with a budget installation. Cedar decking is from £350 per sq m installed; this would be for Clear Western Red Cedar and using quality Stainless Steel screws. Always use stainless steel screws on Cedar otherwise the reaction between other metals will show an unsightly black blotch around every screw. Your best value softwood is pine, this is for performance and cost.
How much £ is Hardwood Decking?
There are many different species of hardwood timber suitable for decking construction in the UK. Ipe being a common decking material, this is due to the extreme durability and hardness, there are others.
Accoya®, Ipe, Elondo, Teak, Iroko, Kebony® These are the better timbers to use…
Cumaru, with minimum 150 x 47 of C24 joists and larger than normal screws due to movement
Massaranduba, Idigbo, Bankirai (Balau) … should really be avoided due to excessive movement
Not all timber is the same…
Certification of timber and Quality… as well as price
Please consider FSC and PEFC certified timbers…
They all have their own unique characteristics; some are harder than others and the colour and grain changes with each different species.
The most important process in selecting a hardwood is that it should really have a durability rating of “1”(TRADA refers). Any rating less than this will have a much-reduced lifespan and not represent value for money.
BS EN 350-1 recognises five classifications of natural durability for timbers
Class
- 1 very durable, including Accoya® and Ipe
- 2 durable
- 3 moderately durable
- 4 slightly durable (requires preservative)
- 5 not durable (requires preservative)
Correct fixings Hardwood decking will add to the cost.
There are various techniques to fixing your deck boards, they will have a cost impact on your chosen decking:
1. Predrilled, countersunk and the surface-mounted screw is then visible, this is standard.
2. Rebated holes and plugged for a surface mounted fixing.
3. Side profiled with Ebty or IpeClip (plastic clips) provide an almost hidden fixing system
4. The most luxurious natural timbers are with a system called GRAD® System UK. This fixes the boards from underneath so there are no screws visible
5. There are many other side fixing systems available, Not all of them work on all timbers.
The costs of a hardwood decking system vary tremendously, rather like having a piece of furniture bespoke made; each one is unique and completely different.
The cost for a cost-effective/standard hardwood deck (not ipe) will be from £450 to £500 sq m plus vat, this will be a simple design, cheaper hardwood material, pre-drilled and countersunk holes. One has to appreciate sanding and oiling will add to this cost. The other additions like fascia, lift out hatches and steps will add more to the cost. The largest basic cost, of course, is for a curved design, there is a lot of waste generated here, perhaps as much as 15% and more.
For a rebated and plugged finish the labour does mount up rapidly as this is a slow process, this is for real wood lovers that appreciate the craftsmanship involved with this style of work.
Hidden fixing systems can cost from £450. Decks can cost an unimaginable amount for fine teak or if a thicker decking board is used. For a 35mm thickness commercial deck constructed from Ipe the cost would be in the many hundreds per sq m.
Asking for a quotation for your new decking project
Always best for a frank and honest chat prior to asking for a chat. Do a little research on your installer, perhaps look at the Pro Installers register from the specific manufacturer you are considering. If you keep this information when you ask for a quotation you will have a good idea about “how much does decking cost”.
Give the company a call, if they can fit you in tomorrow then consider why? It takes time to correctly design a structure that will be built to regulations and last the expected service life. If your decking project is not being designed then ask yourself “what happens if it fails for any reason”. Every project needs to conform to CDM2015… and as the client you have to be sure you understand who is responsible for what…
Consider what you want, write down roughly how many square metres, how high is it, balustrade and if there are steps. A professional company can soon offer a guide prior to committing to a site meeting.
In Short, please don’t just ask for a quotation unless you have considered the decking you think you want. For a basic Accoya deck, fully installed with fascia boards, a couple of steps, trim pieces, sanded and oiled correctly, expect the cost to be in the region of from £450 plus vat or for 50 sq m £22,500 plus vat (approx’). Consider that if you get a quote for this and it looks like £10,000 plus vat then ask yourself how can this be possible. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
What’s the cheapest hardwood deck
“There is no such thing as a cheap hardwood deck.“
Let’s say the designer or client were to specify a hand-selected timber with a particular cut to the timber, e.g. Quarter cut; similarly, if the colour of the timber were to be homogeneous within a colour range then the cost would again be very high. This selection process is rare for the majority of timber decking and unless money is no object take the timber as it comes and accept timber for what it is.
If you are considering a hardwood deck, do understand that there is no such thing as “cheap Hardwood decking” if you ask for cheap Ipe – you will get what you pay for and in too many cases you won’t be sold Ipe or you will have a substandard installation. Also consider if your “mate Dave” can do a cheap job, this should not be compared to a professionally designed and proposed hardwood decking project.
What is the price for Composite decking
I am not going to comment on which composite decking manufacturer is best, simply to advise on cost and what’s out there.
TREX or Millboard … there are many others and costs range from £400 to £550 sq m to include timber subframe and installation. The cost will be more if you add fascia boards, bullnose, lift out hatches and other detailing. Do consider none branded composite and the poor warranty for them and how long they have been around, many of them are cheap for a reason… it could be a reason to stay away.
If you add step arrangements, curves, edge detailing and the like, it can be much more. If you require a plastic or composite frame then be prepared to pay over £150 more plus vat per sq m more as a starting point. You will pay much much more for the new aluminium frame system. This is only a guide and this information has been gathered over the last 20 years from hundreds of professionals. If you are offered a lower price from “Chuck in his truck” then walk away… The better manufacturers run training programmes for their Professional Installers. They are detailed and skilled installation courses for their professional contractors.
Costs represented are exclusive of vat. Every decking will be a different cost, the end-user must take into consideration the material, shape, elevation, complexity and detailing.
If you are seeking a service with a design and construction in the centre of London, there are additional costs. Also, consider that logistics, additional time taken, restricted working days, parking, ULEZ and congestion will add to the labour costs. This can increase the cost substantially, perhaps multiples more of the figures used as a guide in the above text.
What is the cost of not using a professional decking installer
In simple terms this site receives many enquiries from clients with a shoddy job, “my decks not straight, the gaps are all over the place, the mitres don’t line up, it moves up and down when you walk on it”…
There is an “Industry Standard” for decking installation promulgated by the Association of Professional Landscapes, if your contractor doesn’t install using these standards then you may be in for a shock when it goes wrong.
This page is updated on a regular basis
Updated Nov 2024
Help Finding a Decking Installer
Now you know approximatley what decking costs if you need help finding a professional decking installer you’ll find some helpful tips & advice this way
Professional Decking Installers