How Much Does Garden Decking Cost to Install?

In 2026 installed garden decking typically costs roughly £80 to £220 per square metre depending on the board you choose. A typical 15 square metre deck will cost about £1,500 to £2,200 in softwood or £2,200 to £3,300 in composite. These headline prices usually include the frame beneath the boards when the deck is built on level ground.

What garden decking costs in the UK

Typical 2026 prices for pressure-treated pine show £1,200 to £1,700 for a 25 to 35 square metre deck. Because prices differ with size, material and location, you should always get written quotes from local tradespeople to find your exact price. You should also check whether the prices you are quoted include VAT.

Decking falls under hard landscaping, which is the built part of a garden. This includes patios, paths, walls, steps, decking, fencing and drainage. Soft landscaping is the living part, such as soil, turf, planting and trees.

Landscaping is not a licensed trade in the UK. Anyone can set themselves up as a decking installer. This means you need to judge the quality of a trader based on vetted membership of trade bodies, evidence of their past work and the detail they put into their written quotes.

Softwood, hardwood and composite compared

Softwood is the most affordable decking material. It is usually made from pressure-treated pine, which has preservatives forced into the wood to protect it against rot and insects. Softwood needs treating and regular cleaning to extend its life and to keep it from becoming slippery.

Hardwood boards come from slow growing broadleaf trees. The timber is much denser than pine, making it highly durable and naturally resistant to rot. American hardwood is one option, and a hardwood deck costs more than a softwood one.

Composite boards are manufactured from a mixture of recycled plastic and wood fibre. They cost more than softwood in the table below, so ask the supplier what upkeep and cleaning the boards need. You can read more about the differences to help you decide whether composite decking is better than timber for your garden.

The boards are only the visible part of the deck. They sit on a frame made of joists, which are thick lengths of timber that bear the weight. These joists rest on supports to keep them off the damp ground. A cheap quote might use thin boards or space the joists too far apart, which makes the deck bounce when you walk on it.

Typical prices by deck type and size

The table below compares typical installed prices for different decking materials on a standard frame.

These figures are typical prices for 2026, and local quotes will differ based on your garden and the trader you choose.

Prices for timber decking vary heavily by size and material. For pressure-treated pine, a small deck of 10 to 15 square metres typically costs £600 to £800. A medium deck of 25 to 35 square metres costs £1,200 to £1,700, and a large deck of 50 to 60 square metres costs £2,000 to £2,300.

For American hardwood, the costs rise. A 10 to 15 square metre hardwood deck typically costs £900 to £1,200. A 25 to 35 square metre deck costs £2,600 to £3,100, and a 50 to 60 square metre deck costs £3,400 to £3,700. Across the UK, the average timber decking installation costs around £2,600 for a 30 square metre area.

What affects the price most

Landscapers price per project after a site visit. They need to see the garden to understand the exact scope of the work and spot any access problems.

The area size is the biggest factor, but groundwork is a close second. The groundwork nobody sees is where corners get cut by bad tradespeople. A solid deck needs a level foundation. If the ground is soft or uneven, the landscaper will need to dig out the soil and lay a sub-base. A sub-base is a layer of compacted crushed stone, often called MOT Type 1, which provides a strong and stable footing.

The levels in your garden dictate the amount of groundwork. Building a deck on a steep slope requires taller support posts, deeper foundations and more structural timber than building on a flat lawn.

Access changes the price of every landscaping job. If you live in a terraced house and everything has to be carried through the house, the work takes longer and costs more.

Waste removal is a significant expense. Disposing of soil, old turf or broken paving involves skip hire and commercial tipping fees. A trader who carries waste must be a registered waste carrier, and you can check the public register to confirm this.

Drainage matters for any new surface. A deck should have a fall, which is a slight slope that sheds water so it does not sit in puddles. You also need to consider whether the ground underneath is a permeable or impermeable surface. Permeable surfaces allow water to soak through into the ground, while impermeable surfaces block water and force it to run off elsewhere.

Location affects the final total. Prices for both materials and labour are generally higher in London and the South East.

Extras that add to the price

Ground preparation adds £150 to £600 to the bill, depending on how much digging and levelling is required before the frame can be built.

Old deck removal costs an extra £150 to £400. The landscaper has to dismantle the old timber, cut it down and pay to dispose of it safely.

Building the deck at a raised height adds 20 to 60 per cent to the standard installation cost. Raised decks need thicker support posts, more bracing and deeper concrete foundations to ensure they are safe and stable.

Adding a balustrade costs £60 to £150 per metre, so ask the landscaper to state exactly what is covered.

Steps cost £80 to £200 per step. Building safe, solid steps requires complex carpentry and extra structural timber.

If you want lighting built into your decking, you must hire a qualified electrician. Outdoor electrics are dangerous and must comply with strict safety regulations, so this is not a job for a general landscaper.

Labour and how long the job takes

Hiring a decking specialist typically costs £200 to £300 per day in the UK, rising to £250 to £350 per day in London.

A general handyman charges £150 to £200 per day, or £180 to £250 per day in London and the South East. Ask any trader for evidence of similar decks they have built.

A small deck normally takes one day to build. A medium deck takes two to three days, and a large deck takes three to five days. These timeframes assume the weather stays dry and the materials are ready on site.

Planning and building rules for decking

In England, decking is usually classed as permitted development, meaning you do not need to apply for planning permission if you meet certain limits. You can read the exact definitions on the Planning Portal.

The main rule in England is that the decking can be no more than 30cm above the ground. Together with other extensions and outbuildings, the decking must cover no more than 50 per cent of the garden. None of the decking can be on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation, which usually means the front of the house.

These permitted development rights apply to houses, not to flats or maisonettes. Decking is also not permitted development within the curtilage of a listed building, which means you will need consent for significant work.

The rules are different outside England. The policy in Wales may differ. In Northern Ireland the height limit is 30cm, but in Scotland the height limit is 50cm. If you are unsure about the rules for your property, you should check with your local council.

In England, paving more than 5 square metres of a front garden with an impermeable surface that does not drain to a permeable area needs planning permission. Permeable surfacing does not need permission.

Trees can also restrict your plans. A Tree Preservation Order makes it an offence to cut down, lop, uproot or damage a protected tree without the council's consent. Work on trees in a conservation area normally needs six weeks' notice to the council.

What a decking quote should include

A quote is a fixed price for the job. An estimate is just a rough guess that can increase as the work goes on. You should always ask for a written quote.

A good quote will state the exact details of the job. It should include:

• The exact board type and named materials the landscaper plans to use.
• The joist size and spacing for the timber frame.
• The type of foundations and the fixings that will hold the boards down.
• The ground preparation required and the depth of any excavation.
• The depth of the sub-base beneath the frame.
• The removal of the old deck if you have one.
• The style and length of the balustrade.
• The cost of commercial waste removal.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, tradespeople must do their work with reasonable care and skill. If they do not, the customer can ask for the work to be put right or seek a partial or full refund. If you end up in a dispute, you should contact Citizens Advice for guidance.

Citizens Advice suggests getting three written quotes before you choose a tradesperson. They advise getting a written contract, paying deposits of no more than 25 per cent, and paying by card for extra protection. They also note that you might be able to cancel within 14 days of agreeing a contract.

Because landscaping is unregulated, you should look for vetted membership of a recognised trade body. The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) says its Accredited members are vetted on workmanship, skill and health and safety. The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) says its members are assessed, regularly inspected and TrustMark accredited. TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme. Membership is a good sign of a professional firm, not a guarantee.

What goes wrong with landscaping jobs

Bad tradespeople cut corners on the groundwork and the things you cannot see. You should watch out for:

• Doorstep callers offering cheap paving or leftover materials from another job.
• Cash deals with no written specification or contract.
• A thin or completely missing sub-base under the deck or patio.
• Patio slabs laid on dabs of mortar instead of a full bed.
• Artificial grass laid straight onto soil without a proper foundation.
• Surfaces built with no fall so water pools on top or runs towards the house.

Common questions

Do I need a designer, a landscaper or a gardener?

A garden designer produces the plan for your outdoor space. The Society of Garden and Landscape Designers (SGLD) is the professional body for designers. A landscaper or landscape contractor builds the plan, installing the decking, patios and walls. A gardener maintains the garden once it is finished, looking after the soil, plants and lawns.

How can I check the work before paying?

Walk over the entire deck to check for bouncing boards, which suggests the joists are too far apart. Pour a bucket of water on the boards to ensure the fall is correct and the water sheds away from your house. Check that all screws sit flush with the wood and do not stick up to catch bare feet.

Why do quotes for the same deck differ so much?

Quotes differ because tradespeople use different materials and plan for different levels of groundwork. A cheap quote might skip the sub-base, use thinner joists or leave the waste in your garden. A higher quote usually includes deep foundations, proper waste removal and high quality timber.

Can I put decking straight onto soil?

No. If timber sits directly on damp soil, it will quickly rot. The deck must have a frame supported by posts or pads that sit on a solid base, keeping the timber elevated and allowing air to circulate underneath.

Next steps for your decking project

Before you hire a tradesperson, you should follow these steps:

• Decide on the size and shape of your deck before you contact any tradespeople.
• Choose between softwood, hardwood and composite boards based on your budget.
• Ask three local landscapers to visit your garden and provide written quotes.
• Ensure each quote details the exact board type, the groundwork and the waste removal.
• Check the trader has a registered waste carrier licence.
• Look for vetted membership of the British Association of Landscape Industries or the Association of Professional Landscapers.

When you are ready to start planning your new garden and getting accurate prices, you can find a landscaper near you to discuss your options.