The short answer
Installing garden decking in the UK typically costs around £60–£150 per square metre installed, depending mainly on the material. Softwood timber is the lowest-priced route from about £60/m², hardwood around £120/m², and composite roughly £100–£150/m², with premium composite brands reaching £140–£200/m². By size that usually works out at roughly £1,200–£3,000+ for a mid-size 20m² deck before extras. The main drivers are the material, the deck area, the sub-frame and ground preparation, access to the garden, and whether steps or a balustrade are needed.
Price depends mainly on the material you choose, how large the deck is, and what the ground and access are like. The figures below are typical installed prices for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK costs
- Softwood installedfrom ~£60 / m²
- Hardwood installed~£120 / m²
- Composite installed~£100–£150 / m²
- Premium composite~£140–£200 / m²
- Mid-size 20m² deck~£1,200–£3,000+
What drives the price
- Material: softwood is the lowest-priced, hardwood and composite sit higher — this is the single biggest factor (see the composite vs wood page).
- Deck area: you largely pay per square metre, so a bigger deck costs more in both boards and labour.
- Sub-frame & ground: the joists, posts and ground preparation underneath can be a large share of the job, especially on sloping or soft ground.
- Access, steps & balustrades: awkward garden access, steps, and a balustrade where the deck is raised all add to the figure.
| Material | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Softwood timber | from ~£60 / m² | lowest-priced; needs upkeep |
| Hardwood timber | ~£120 / m² | denser, longer-lasting wood |
| Composite | ~£100–£150 / m² | low-maintenance, mid-to-higher cost |
| Premium composite | ~£140–£200 / m² | capped brands such as Trex or Millboard |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: MyBuilder and MyJobQuote cost guides.
Why the sub-frame matters to the price
It is easy to focus on the board cost, but a large part of any deck is what you do not see: the joists, posts and ground preparation that hold it level and stop it twisting. On flat, firm ground the sub-frame is straightforward; on a slope, over soft ground, or where the deck is raised on posts, it takes more material and labour and pushes the total up. A deck is only as sound as its sub-frame, so it is worth seeing it itemised rather than buried in a single board-and-fit figure.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install decking?
Typically around £60–£150 per square metre installed, depending on the material. Softwood starts around £60/m², hardwood around £120/m², and composite around £100–£150/m². A mid-size 20m² deck usually works out at roughly £1,200–£3,000+ before extras.
Why is composite decking more expensive than wood?
Composite costs more up front — around £100–£150/m² installed against softwood's £60/m² — because the boards are manufactured from wood fibre and recycled plastic. It needs far less maintenance and lasts longer, so over time it often works out lower in cost than re-treating timber.
Why is the price range so wide?
Because gardens differ. The material, deck area, the sub-frame and ground, access, and whether steps or a balustrade are needed all move the figure. A measured quote gives the accurate number for your garden.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific garden. They are guidance, not a quotation.