How much does it cost to make timber decking?

Please note that the price information in this article was based on data from 2018 and may now be outdated.

Timber decking is usually $500/m2 on average. You can expect the prices to go from as low as $150 per m2 to as much as $1,000/m2 for challenging projects in which you use the finest timber, roofing and similar additions. There are also decking experts who charge building decking per hour. In that case, the price can be around $50 per hour.

The factors that influence your cost of decking are:

• Your decking size
• Your choice of timber
• Your terrain
• Material and fixings used

What Is a Good Size for a Deck?

A good size for a deck is the size of the largest room in your home. However, if you are about to err, you'd better make it bigger than smaller. The minimal size of your deck should be at least 20 m2.

That is a good size that allows you to have freedom of movement and to truly turn your decking ideas into reality. That is enough space for a seating area but also allows for enough movement, chairs, a table, and even some small storage items. While there are some builders who recommend a small deck of 3m x 3m, a deck that is only 9 m2 is quite small.

Image from bhg.com.au

Perhaps the most important consideration about the size of your decking is the size of your house. Your timber decking should be proportionate to your house. If your decking is too large, your home will look like an attachment to this big wooden platform. If your decking is too small, it doesn’t serve its purpose. That is the logic behind making your decking as big as the largest room in your home.

Another factor for the price of your deck is the elevation of your deck. There is a general rule of thumb that your decking should be around 5 cm below the level of your entrance doors.

If you don’t have to elevate your deck much to achieve that, you are looking at low-level timber decking. Mid-level timber decking is the height of decking that follows a slightly elevated house. High-level decking is decking that is attached to the storey of your home.

Elevating decking means more preparation, carefully prepared soil, columns and foundations. Consequently, they cost more.

What Wood Is Best for Timber Decking?

Australian climate can be a bit unpredictable, so it would be easy to conclude that good timber for building decking would be hard to find. The truth is absolutely different.

The same amazing climate allows for excellent choices of Australian timber since the forests grow strong trees. Here are some of the most common timber decking choices in Australia:

The natural durability of the timber is an important factor because it tells you how long your timber decking can last.

Always check if your decking timber comes from sustainable sources. There are very responsible plantations of building timber out there, but there is the other kind, also. Therefore, make sure that your decking timber doesn’t mean that a forest is being cleared out somewhere.

How to Prepare for Building Decking?

Preparation for building your timber decking is important as it can determine the longevity of your decking and prevent some safety hazards, as well. There are several steps you need to carry out when you prepare the site for building decking:

1. Prepare the soil – use a weed killer or pour a concrete slab if you are building on the ground.
2. Ensure proper drainage – you can use agricultural drainage pipes or a gravel base.
3. Set the concrete footings and stirrups.
4. Raise the posts for your decking – they have to be 1.8 m away from your house and 1.5 m apart.

Water drainage is important for two reasons. First, the soil will erode from water and that will put the foundations in jeopardy.

Secondly, if the water is retained, you will have a breeding ground for mosquitoes right beneath your timber decking. That is also the reason why you need to get rid of the weeds. They will attract insects and even termites.

Do I Need a Permit to Build a Deck?

In short – check with your council. Generally, you don’t need a permit for small, low-level decking. On the other hand, what is considered small may vary from one council to another. In most places, everything less than 25 m2 is considered safe to build without a permit, while in others, everything larger than 10 m2 requires a permit.

Check with your local council about the specifics of the permit and also – the cost. That should also be calculated into your timber decking price.

When negotiating the price of your timber decking, make sure that you determine whether the price you are getting is the price with the material or without it. While your decking timber is the biggest item on the list of costs, there are also the screws and concrete and many more seemingly insignificant items.

Keep your eye on those since they can add up to a lot. If you are buying your own material, discuss it with your decking constructor first. They may have some useful advice, given that they have experience with different types of wood and materials.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask for three or more quotes for your decking project before you choose a person to make your decking a reality. That way, you will not overpay for your decking, and you will have the right idea about the prices. Get quotes for your timber decking projects today.