The short answer
In the UK, wood decking typically costs around £100 to £250 per square metre supplied and fitted, with the rate resting mainly on the timber. Pressure-treated softwood is the lowest-cost, often around £100 to £150 per m2, while hardwood such as balau, oak or ipe sits higher at roughly £150 to £250 per m2 because the wood is denser, more durable and harder to work. Supply-only board prices are far lower, often around £25 to £60 per m2, since they exclude the subframe, groundworks and labour. The per-metre rate covers the full build, and softwood's lower figure carries more upkeep — regular cleaning and re-treating — than hardwood. Always confirm whether a rate is supply-only or supply-and-fit.
Timber is usually the lowest-cost decking per metre, but softwood and hardwood sit far apart. The per-metre figure makes most sense once you know the timber grade and what the rate includes beyond the planks.
Wood decking per m2 at a glance
- Softwood (fitted)Around £100–£150 per m2
- Hardwood (fitted)Around £150–£250 per m2
- Supply-only (boards alone)Around £25–£60 per m2
- Lowest-cost optionPressure-treated softwood
- Main ongoing costCleaning and re-treating
Softwood versus hardwood per metre
The gap between softwood and hardwood drives most of the per-metre price difference in timber decking. Pressure-treated softwood is widely available, easy to work and the lowest-cost mainstream decking. Hardwood is denser, naturally more durable and often handsomer in grain, but it costs more, is heavier and harder to fix, and frequently needs pre-drilling. The figures below are indicative supply-and-fit ranges for guidance only.
| Timber grade | Indicative cost per m2 (supplied and fitted) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated softwood | Around £100–£150 | Lowest-cost, needs regular re-treating |
| Higher-grade softwood | Around £120–£160 | Smoother finish, better treatment |
| Hardwood (balau, oak, ipe) | Around £150–£250 | Dense, durable, heavier to fit |
Indicative UK figures for guidance only; obtain itemised quotes for your site. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote 2026 decking cost guides.
What the per-metre rate covers
A supply-and-fit per-metre rate for a timber deck covers the whole build, not just the boards. The visible planks are the lowest-cost and quickest part; most of the rate is the structure and the work:
- Groundworks: clearing and levelling, with a weed-control membrane and gravel.
- Foundations: concrete pads, post anchors or screws sized to the deck's height.
- Subframe: the joists and bearers, usually pressure-treated softwood even beneath a hardwood surface, because the frame is hidden and protected.
- Boards: softwood or hardwood, with cutting and wastage.
- Fixings: screws, or corrosion-resistant fixings and pre-drilling for hardwood.
- Finishing and labour: fascias, steps, balustrade, a first treatment and the time to build it.
A common saving is a hardwood surface on a softwood frame, since the protected frame does not need the more expensive timber, which keeps the per-metre rate down without losing the hardwood look on top.
Upkeep behind the lower rate
Timber's low per-metre rate carries a longer-term cost that composite avoids: maintenance. Wood weathers, can split or warp, and silvers in the sun unless treated, so keeping a timber deck sound has an ongoing cost in materials and time. When comparing the per-metre rate with composite, factor in:
- Cleaning: sweeping and washing the deck once or twice a year to stop algae and dirt building up and making the surface slippery.
- Treating: oil, stain or preservative every one to two years on softwood to protect the wood and refresh its colour; hardwood needs this less often.
- Repairs: replacing the odd split or cupped board and checking fixings as the timber moves with the seasons.
Hardwood is more forgiving and many owners let it silver gracefully, but softwood relies on regular treatment to reach its full lifespan. So a low per-metre rate for softwood is only part of the picture: the true cost over the deck's life includes the upkeep, and a softwood deck that is never maintained will not last as long as the headline figures suggest. Weighing the per-metre rate against the years of treating is the fair way to compare timber with lower-maintenance composite.
Frequently asked questions
Is softwood much cheaper per metre than hardwood?
Yes. Pressure-treated softwood is the lowest-cost mainstream decking per metre, while hardwood costs noticeably more because the timber is denser, more durable and harder to work. The trade-off is upkeep and lifespan: softwood needs regular treating, whereas hardwood is naturally more durable and can need less.
Does the timber per-metre rate include the subframe?
A supply-and-fit rate should include the subframe, groundworks and labour, not just the boards. A supply-only board price, often a fraction of the fitted rate, covers the boards alone. The subframe is usually pressure-treated softwood even under a hardwood surface, since it is hidden and protected from the weather.
Can I lower the per-metre rate with a hardwood look?
One common way is to lay a hardwood surface on a softwood subframe. The frame is hidden and protected, so it does not need the more expensive timber, which keeps the per-metre rate down while giving the hardwood appearance and durability on the surface you see and walk on.
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.