Decking Cost Calculator

Average Decking Cost In The UK

Decking costs vary depending on the type of material chosen and the labour required. On average in the UK, homeowners can look forward to the following ranges per square meter, including both supply and installation:

• Softwood decking = £70-£90/m²


• Hardwood decking = £110 to £130/m² for larger areas, or about £130/m² for small decks.


• Composite decking = £90 to £110/m² for mid-sized decks. Project costs are overall between £70 and £200/m² depending on style and complexity.

For example, a 20m² softwood deck may cost between £1,400 and £1,800, while a composite deck of the same size may reach £1,800–£2,200. A standard wooden deck typically falls between £1,350 and £1,950.

What Pushes Your Deck Price?

Material Choice

The largest cost element is the material. Softwood is cheap; however, it needs to be stained and sealed to avoid damage. Composite decking is more expensive at the start-up but low-maintenance and may last up to 50 years. As an example, composite materials may cost as much as £80-£120 per m² installed, versus softwood at £40-£60 per m².

Deck Size and Design

The bigger the deck, the higher the costs in general, but the price per m² can be better. The designs with complex features, like the multi-level layouts or built-in seating, would provide an addition of labour and material costs.

Labour and Preparation

Professional installers typically cost between £200 and £250 a day, with most decks being done in one to two days. Site preparation, e.g. clearing the ground or levelling, may cost £200 to £800. Removal is an extra £100-£400 to remove an old deck.

Extras and Finishes

Dependent features such as railings, lighting and in-built seating can increase the end price. Special fixings and trims may also be needed to support high-end composite systems, which are also costly.