Decking cost UK 2026
Timber decking typically costs £85–£150 per m² fitted in the UK; composite decking £130–£220/m². A standard 20m² rear-garden deck lands £1,800–£4,500. Composite is now the dominant choice for new installs because of low maintenance.
Cost guide ranges
| Deck size | Pressure-treated softwood | Hardwood (oak / iroko) | Composite (Trex / Millboard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10m² (small terrace) | £900–£1,500 | £1,400–£2,200 | £1,600–£2,800 |
| 20m² (standard) | £1,800–£2,800 | £2,500–£4,000 | £3,000–£4,800 |
| 30m² (large) | £2,600–£4,200 | £3,800–£6,000 | £4,500–£7,200 |
| 40m² (entertaining-size) | £3,400–£5,500 | £5,000–£8,000 | £6,000–£9,500 |
| Raised / multi-level deck | +30–60% on above |
What's typically included
- Concrete pad foundations or post anchors
- Pressure-treated joist subframe
- Decking boards (top surface)
- Standard balustrade if required (steps, raised area)
- Standard fixings + joist hangers
- Disposal of old surface
What's typically NOT included
- Lighting (£200–£800)
- Pergola or roof structure (£800–£3,500+)
- Hot tub base reinforcement (£300–£800)
- Garden landscaping around deck (£500–£3,000)
- Steps if deck is raised over 1 step (£200–£800)
- Permitted development check if >30cm above ground level
What drives the price
- Material — pressure-treated softwood (PT pine) cheapest. Hardwood (oak, iroko, balau) longer-lasting but 30–50% more. Composite (Trex, Millboard, Ecodek) longest-lasting + zero maintenance, 50–80% more than PT.
- Substructure — joists, posts, footings hidden but critical. PT softwood for substructure regardless of top board choice.
- Height — ground-level deck cheap. Raised deck (over 30cm) needs balustrade and steps, adds cost. Decks >30cm above ground may need planning permission.
- Pattern — straight boards cheapest. Diagonal +10–15% (more cuts). Picture frame border +15–25%.
- Fixings — visible screws cheapest. Hidden clip systems on composite +10–20% but cleaner finish.
Try the free text quote demo — no signup needed
Branded PDF quote with a costed scope of works in 30 seconds. No card, no photo needed.
How we estimated these ranges
This is a guide only. The ranges below are intended for early budgeting and trade benchmarking. They are not a substitute for a site visit or an itemised quote from a qualified tradesperson. Always get a site-specific quote before agreeing work.
What's included in these ranges: typical labour costs, common materials at standard specification, and routine preparation or installation work for a standard project of this type.
What's excluded: unusual access (multi-storey, restricted parking), unforeseen structural issues, specialist design or architect fees, planning and building control application fees, premium or high-end finishes, emergency or out-of-hours work, and regional extremes.
Regional note: London, the South East and remote rural areas can vary significantly from the UK averages shown. London labour rates in particular can run 30–50% higher than national averages on the same scope.
Sources and checks used: publicly available UK trade supplier pricing (2025–2026), common day-rate and labour-duration assumptions used in trade quoting, internal example quote structures from TailoredQuote platform data, and where relevant cross-referenced regional contractor surveys and BCIS-style construction cost data.
Last reviewed: May 2026 by TailoredQuote. Prices in this guide will be reviewed and updated periodically.
Frequently asked questions
Composite for low maintenance and longest life. Timber for cheaper upfront and natural look (but expect to oil annually). Most new installs are composite for the maintenance saving.
Pressure-treated softwood 10–15 years if oiled annually. Hardwood 20–30 years. Composite 25–30 years with minimal maintenance.
Decking under 30cm above ground level is permitted development. Above that, may need planning. Always check in conservation areas.
Yes if the substructure can be supported. Most commonly the deck floats on the patio with a frame at the level needed.
Related cost guides
Last reviewed: May 2026
Start free — no card needed
14-day free trial. No card needed. Cancel any time.
Start Free Trial Or try the free demo