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Garden decking cost: what it really costs in 2026
Per m², timber to composite.
£130 – £247 /m²
Treated softwood decking starts around £130/m² built. Hardwood runs about £221/m² and composite £247/m².
Price by spec
| Option | What it means | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Treated softwood | Classic, needs annual care | £130 /m² |
| Hardwood | Dense, beautiful, durable | £221 /m² |
| Composite | No maintenance, long warranty | £247 /m² |
What actually happens
- Area levelled and weed membrane down
- Posts and joist frame built (the bit that matters)
- Frame squared, levelled and braced
- Boards fixed with consistent gaps for drainage
- Fascia boards and steps finished
- Oiled or sealed if timber; composite just gets swept
Popular choices
Grey and charcoal compositePicture-frame board bordersIntegrated deck lighting
Regulations to know
- Permitted development if the deck is under 30cm high and, with other outbuildings, covers less than half the garden
- Raised decks overlooking neighbours can need planning permission
Tips from the trade
- The frame is the investment — premium boards on a soft frame still fail
- Composite costs nearly double up front and wins it back in zero maintenance
Plan this project properly
Get a region-adjusted estimate, track budget against real quotes, and find local tradespeople -- free to browse on Qome.
Start planning on QomePrices on this page are approximate, region-adjusted guide figures built from cross-checked UK cost data. They exist to inform you, not to bind anyone. Actual prices are whatever you and your tradesperson agree, and a difference between a Qome guide figure and a real quote is not a fault in either.