How Much Does It Cost to Build a Deck?

Australians love their decks. The climate is favourable for spending a lot of time outdoors, so decks are something like extensions of our living rooms. If you want a nice, new deck, you should be prepared to cash out somewhere between $3,400 and $6,500.

That is the price of the entire project. This depends on the sizes and the complexity of your decking installation, material and many more. However, if you just want an ordinary mid-range decking, you should be prepared to pay your installer anywhere from $160 to $220 per square metre.

This doesn’t mean that $220 is the top price for m2. It is just the top of the middle range. It is quote easy to ramp up the price of decking installation with special demands and different specifics. However, you can always discuss the price with your installer. Moreover, you can do it even before the installation.

Ask for the quotes made especially for your project and see if they match your budget.

How Much Is Decking per Square Metre?

It is extremely difficult to give an estimate about this price without looking into the project itself and its specifics. A simple, small deck on an approachable surface, made out of easy-to-use material will start from $160/m2.

However, if you want to go for an exclusive, big decking with stairs, fence, roofing and additional specifics, you can even expect to pay up to $1000/m2. Therefore, you can conclude that the average price is $500/m2.

So what are those factors that influence the price of your decking so much? They are, as follows:

• Decking material
• Decking design
• Terrain
• Coating and finishes

Decking material

This is definitely the most important factor that determines your decking price. The material is important for two reasons. The first reason is obvious – the more expensive the material you use, the more you pay per square or per length metre. Also, the complexity of installation is also dependant on the material that is used.

For example, composite decking is great and it is very durable, but it is also extremely heavy and it is difficult to work with. That is why you can expect the labour to be charged to you more than it would be if you were making your decking using something that is easier to work with.

According to the decking material, you can choose from:

• Timber decking
• Composite decking
• Treated pine decking
• Synthetic decking

Composite and synthetic deckings are very durable. They are low on maintenance, but they have a higher price. Timber decking is what we all know and love, but it also means annual scrubbing and recoating.

Treated pine decking has all the characteristics of an average timber decking, plus the lower pricing. You need to set your priorities before going shopping.

Decking Design

Of course, it is not the same if you just lay a small rectangle floating deck on concrete blocks or if you plan on a huge living room extension of irregular shape with benches. The way you imagine your decking, including all the details, determines the price you are about to pay for it. Here are the key points to the decking design that can change your price:

Decking shape – square, rectangle or anything that has 4 sides that meet at a straight angle. All other non-standard shapes require more timber cutting and tailoring. This increases the price of work, but it also increases the price of material because more of it has to be ordered than it gets spend.

Image source: House of Home

Decking height – placing a deck on a ground is much easier than raising it high above the ground. While a small platform deck can even be a fun DIY project, a raised decking can require a building permit. It requires a real plan that deals with structure, static and requires building skills and knowledge.

Other supporting structures and additions – this includes everything that is not a necessary part of your deck. Your decking should be an integral part of your backyard and it needs elements to integrate it into the surroundings.

This means stairs, balustrades, roofing, lighting, furniture, pergolas and everything else that you may imagine for your decking.

Image source: Deck Wise

Expect to pay $800 for a decking design that includes roof and stairs. Don’t think you can go below $1000 for decking that is elevated to your storey level and has cyclone rating.

Terrain

Take another look at the place where you want your decking installed. Is it easy to access? Are there any obstacles that need to be worked around like ponds, pools, trees? Gas lines, tanks, pipes and other infrastructural elements that are on the way are also an issue.

If there are such things, you will have to make peace with the fact that it will increase the price of the labour.

How about the height of your decking? Will your installers have to bring scaffolding or leader? Will they have to dig deep and set the real foundations due to the eroding or unstable terrain? All those factors add to the price.

Does your terrain slope? The ideal situation is the ground level decking on a solid terrain that doesn’t cover any of the gas or electricity lines and is easy to reach. However, since the conditions are rarely ideal, you will have to negotiate with your installers.

Coating and Finishes

Let’s say all those barriers have been lifted and all that is left is to finish your decking. But there are different finishes, as well. You should choose between the oil or acrylic decking oil, staining, painting and/or waterproofing. This also involves waiting for the decking to weather for a couple of months and then treat it.

The type of the finish and whether it is easy to reach all the places on your decking to apply it – all goes into the price. Therefore, consult your decking installer before opting for your finishing and coating. They will be able to suggest the best option based on your type of material and the price range that is acceptable to you.

Now that you know what are the factors that influence your decking price, start negotiating! Go to Service Seeking and ask the quotes for your decking design. The more quotes you get, the better idea you’ll have about what you want to spend for your new decking.