Decks are small platforms attached to the outside of a house for use by people, plants, and so on. Decks are typically surrounded by railings, the decking material the deck is constructed with, and any furniture it contains. A properly designed and built deck can increase the value of a house by several thousand dollars. A poorly constructed one may cost you more in repairs over its lifetime than it adds to your home’s value.
Decks are usually made from lumber, although alternatives such as recycled plastic lumber are increasingly being used. The deck price usually depends on the overall floor space and deck construction process.
Decking Cost
In Australia, decking can vary and can be as low as $2,000, or up to $30,000 or more for a 100 m2 area.
The price of decks depends on various factors: quality and type of construction materials (lumber or synthetic wood), size and design (simple rectangular shapes to elaborate curved designs with multiple levels and non-rectangular plan) and there are also different types of decks (built-in, freestanding and dock decks).
The most expensive decking is composite decking.
In general, good quality lumbers such as cedar, redwood or ipe are more expensive than alternative choices such as pressure-treated pine or recycled plastic lumber.
Decking Timber Prices
It’s important to know what kind of timber you’re interested in. In Australia, the most common types of lumber used for decks are:
- Pressure-treated pine
- Hardwood (such as Merbau, jarrah or ironbark) and
- Softwood (such as redwood, cedar or treated pine)
Pressure-treated Pine Decking
Pressure-treated pine is a relatively inexpensive decking material. It’s a combination of a wood preservative and a particular board core. Some people refer to this type of decking as CCA, which stands for chromated copper arsenate.
It has good strength properties but it may be sealed with a water repellent every one to three years because it may rot when exposed to moisture. If untreated, pressure-treated pine usually lasts from 10 to15 years.
In the long term, pressure-treated pine may be a less expensive choice because it won’t need to be replaced as often as other types of decking material.
Hardwood Timber Decking
Hardwood is a more expensive option than treated pine or recycled plastic lumber but it’s much more attractive and may have a longer life span if properly maintained. At the same time, hardwoods can warp and check (cracks between boards). If you choose this type of wood, make sure that you treat them with a suitable finish every year after installation and every two to four years after that.
Softwood Decking
Softwood is available in unchinked planks which are easier to saw and nail through compared to harder woods, however, these don’t hold their shape well over time and may need to be replaced more often.
Decking Costs per m2
In Australia, the price of decks can vary from 2 000 AUS dollars to 30 000 or more for a 100 m2 area. When calculating the cost of your decking, you’ll need to take into consideration
- The size and shape of your proposed deck
- The type of flooring material (wood or synthetic)
- If you want built-in furniture or if it’s a free-standing one
- Any plants, toys, etc. you wish to include in your design
A simple rectangular shaped, single-level wood deck can be priced at approximately $400 per m2. A more elaborate multi-level curved design with built-in seating around 3 sides can range from $1000 per square metre or more.
Pressure-treated Pine Decking Cost per m2
Pressure-treated pine is a relatively inexpensive decking material. It’s a combination of a wood preservative and the board core. Some people refer to this type of deck as CCA, which stands for chromated copper arsenate. Pressure-treated pine has good strength properties but it needs to be sealed with a water repellent every one to three years because it may rot when exposed to moisture.
If untreated, pressure-treated pine usually lasts from 10 to 15 years. In the long term, pressure-treated pine may be a less expensive choice because it won’t need to be replaced as often as other types of decking materials. The average price is around $150 per square metre and can reach up to around $300 per square metre.
Hardwood Timber Decking Cost per m2
Hardwood is a more expensive option than treated pine but it’s much more attractive and may have a longer life if properly maintained. At the same time, hardwoods can warp and check (cracks between boards). If you choose this type of wood, make sure that you treat them with a suitable finish every year after installation and every two to four years after that. The average price starts at around $250 per square metre and goes up.
Softwood Decking Cost per m2
Softwood is available in unchinked planks which are easier to saw and nail through compared to harder woods, however, these don’t hold their shape well over time and may need to be replaced more often. The average price starts at around $50 per square metre and goes up depending on the design features you want to be included.
Timber Deck Cost per m2
Timber decking is made from 100% real, naturally aged and well-seasoned wood. Timber has a long life if maintained properly and can last for 20 years or more. The average price starts at around $200 per square metre and goes up depending on the design features you want to be included. This price usually includes labour costs along with the cost of the materials.
How Much does Decking Cost?
How much does it cost to have proper decking In Australia? Well, an average timber deck, which is around 15 square metres, costs about $5000. If you want to be more ambitious and include built-in seating or plan to build a multi-level deck with lots of bells and whistles, your costs can go up considerably. For example, adding built-in seating around the whole decking area may add at least another $1000 to your deck costs. Please keep in mind however that these are rough prices only and the cost of decking can vary depending on a number of factors including:
- The size and shape of your proposed deck
- The type of flooring material (wood or synthetic)
- If you want built-in furniture or if it’s a free-standing one
- Any plants, toys, etc. you wish to include in your design
You can save hundreds on the cost of your decking job by getting quotes from a few local professionals. The average cost of materials and labour for basic decks is around $400 per square metre, while the cost of more elaborate multi-level designs with built-in seating range from $1000 per square metre or more. Having a dream deck can potentially be quite expensive.
Cost to Build a Deck
The cost of hiring professional help varies depending on your location and the size of the project. For example, in Australia, if you hire someone for casual labour, rates are typically between $60 and $100 per hour. To have professionals do the job, it may cost at least around $200 or more per square metre if you wish to cover all costs including materials, supplies and other expenses related to the project.
Merbau Decking Cost per Square Metre
Just like any other type of decking material, Merbau has its pros and cons. The price for this product starts at around $60 per square metre and goes up depending on the design features you want to be included. This is a more expensive option than treated pine but it’s much more attractive and may have a longer life if properly maintained.
Picking Merbau hardwood decking may increase the overall look of your deck and it’s a more attractive option than other types of wood such as treated pine. At the same time, Merbau can warp and check (cracks between boards). If you choose this type of wood, make sure that you treat them with a suitable finish every year after installation and every two to four years after that. The material itself costs around $60 per square metre. The installation cost varies depending on where you live but usually costs up to $100.
Timber Decking Cost
The cost to build has many factors such as the size and shape of your deck, this may influence the deck cost, but on average it’s around $500 per m2. The price to build a deck covers most types of timber used for decks such as hardwood timber Jarrah, Merbau and ironbark. As mentioned before, you can save hundreds if you get quotes from a few local professionals to compare prices.
Even though timber looks great and is an affordable option compared to other materials, make sure you hire professionals for this type of project because it requires special tools and skills. On average, expect to pay anywhere between $400 and $800 per square metre depending on the type of wood and the design features you want to be included.
How Much does a Deck Cost?
The cost of a deck varies, depending on the size and shape of your yard. For example, if you have no garden around your house or only a small one, you may need to build a free-standing deck that can be moved in case you want to move it/sell the house later. This is usually more expensive than having an attached deck linked to your home because it requires extra materials and labour costs for moving expenses. The price starts at around $5000 per square metre but may go up considerably depending on the design features you want to be included.
Decking Cost per Square Metre
The cost of installing a decking material starts at around $50 per square metre. Of course, the price may depend on the type of wood you choose and it usually ranges between $30 to $100.
Keep in mind that the price includes the labour expenses but not the cost of disposal or transport. Also, you may need to pay for annual treatment. All prices are estimates and may vary depending on your location and the size of the project. A ground-level deck has a cheaper labour cost than elevated decking projects.
Do I Need a Permit to Build a Deck?
In Australia, it’s always best to check with your local council before proceeding. Some councils may require you to pay an application fee while others may even ask for plans of your deck before they give you the go-ahead. Always wait for a council approval before getting decking materials.
If you are not sure, it’s best to contact them and find out if a permit is required. Typically speaking, decks that don’t connect to the house do not need building approval while attached decks need permits.
When applying for building permits, make sure that you include all details regarding materials used for construction and the deck size just in case you’re asked to provide this information later on (before or during inspections).
Conclusion – Cost of Decking Timber Floors
There you have it, a complete guide for building decks. Now you have a better understanding of all the steps involved in this type of project. At the same time, knowing how much a deck costs may help you to estimate your expenses and plan accordingly.
Remember that most professionals need three days to complete a small project. If you have a larger backyard or an extra level, you can expect to pay more.
Also, don’t forget that specialised companies may charge a bit extra for safety features such as handrails and safety fencing along the sides. Don’t be afraid to ask for different quotes from several companies just in case there’s a cheaper option out there.
As with any project, it’s best to be well informed before moving ahead. The more you know about the process, the better the results may be at the end.