Garden decking in Birmingham and the West Midlands typically costs £120–£200 per m² in treated softwood and £200–£300 per m² in composite, supplied and fitted. A raised deck costs about 20% more because of the extra framing and posts. Taking up an old deck first adds £10–£20 per m². A small timber deck of about 8m² starts at around £960.
These are the ranges our quote form uses for decking. They include materials, fitting and taking waste away, and are indicative until the local specialist has seen the site.
Decking prices per m²
| Decking | Ground level, per m² | Raised, per m² |
|---|---|---|
| Treated softwood timber | £120–£200 | £144–£240 |
| Composite boards | £200–£300 | £240–£360 |
| Taking up old decking first | add £10–£20 | add £10–£20 |
The raised figures are the ground-level rates multiplied by 1.2. For example, timber at £120 × 1.2 = £144 and £200 × 1.2 = £240.
The per-m² rate covers a weed membrane, the sub-frame of joists and bearers on posts or pads, the boards, fixings and fascia boards round the edge. Handrails, steps, lighting and built-in seating are extras your specialist will price.
Typical prices by deck size
| Deck size | Timber, ground level | Timber, raised | Composite, ground level | Composite, raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small, about 8m² | £960–£1,600 | £1,150–£1,920 | £1,600–£2,400 | £1,920–£2,880 |
| Medium, about 15m² | £1,800–£3,000 | £2,160–£3,600 | £3,000–£4,500 | £3,600–£5,400 |
| Large, about 28m² | £3,360–£5,600 | £4,030–£6,720 | £5,600–£8,400 | £6,720–£10,080 |
| Very large, about 40m² | £4,800–£8,000 | £5,760–£9,600 | £8,000–£12,000 | £9,600–£14,400 |
Where the top of the range goes over £8,000, the job is priced after a free survey rather than from the table.
Timber or composite?
Timber is cheaper to fit and easy to cut, stain or repair. It needs cleaning and treating every year or two, and boards can split, splinter or go slippery in shade. A well-built softwood deck usually lasts 10–15 years.
Composite costs more at the start but does not need staining, will not splinter and resists rot. It still needs a wash to stop algae, and the sub-frame underneath is often still timber, so the framing matters as much as the boards. Composite decks are often quoted to last 20–25 years.
Over ten years the gap narrows. A timber deck that is stained every other year costs time and money that composite does not.
Worked examples
Medium timber deck at ground level, 15m², on an old lawn
15m² × £120 = £1,800 and 15m² × £200 = £3,000. The range is about £1,800–£3,000.
Replacing an old 15m² deck with a raised composite deck
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Composite, 15m² × £200 / £300 | £3,000 | £4,500 |
| Raised, × 1.2 | £3,600 | £5,400 |
| Removing old deck, 15m² × £10 / £20 | £150 | £300 |
| Total | about £3,750 | about £5,700 |
A very small deck
A 3m² timber step-out would be 3 × £120–£200 = £360–£600 on the rates, but fencing and decking jobs have a minimum of about £400, so the range would start at £400.
Planning rules for raised decks
Decking counts as permitted development only if no part of it is more than 30cm above the ground, and the deck together with other outbuildings and extensions covers no more than half the garden. A deck higher than 30cm needs planning permission. Decks on a listed building, or at the front of a house in a conservation area, have tighter rules.
A raised deck close to a boundary can overlook the neighbours. A privacy screen helps: see trellis and screening. Screens and fences on a raised deck are measured from the ground below, so check how high a fence can be before adding one.
What pushes the price up or down
- Height. Raised decks need more framing, deeper posts and often steps and handrails.
- Board choice. Grooved softwood is cheapest; hardwood and premium composite cost more.
- Shape. Curves, picture-framed edges and changes of board direction mean more cutting.
- Ground. Sloping gardens need longer posts on the low side. Very steep sites are priced after a survey.
- Access. Carrying boards and waste through the house adds about 15%.
- Extras. Steps, balustrades, built-in planters, seating and lighting all add to the price.
What is included
A fixed price should normally cover levelling the area, a weed membrane, the sub-frame on concrete pads or posts, the boards and fixings, fascia boards, and taking away all waste. Ask what joist spacing is used (closer spacing gives a firmer deck), whether the framing timber is rated for ground contact, and whether screws are stainless steel.
How to get a fixed price
- Measure the length and width of the area you want decked.
- Use the quote form for an instant price range.
- Add photos of the area, the slope, and the route from the road to the garden.
- We pass your enquiry to one local specialist, who confirms a fixed price or arranges a visit.
Planning a new fence around the deck too? See the fence cost per metre guide.
Questions
How much does a 4m × 4m deck cost?
A 16m² deck costs about £1,920–£3,200 in timber at ground level, or £3,200–£4,800 in composite. Raised, add 20%.
Is composite decking worth the extra?
If you do not want to stain the deck every year or two, usually yes. It costs more up front but needs less upkeep and lasts longer.
Do I need planning permission for decking?
Only if any part of it is more than 30cm above the ground, or it would cover more than half the garden along with other buildings. Listed buildings and conservation areas have tighter rules.
Does the price include taking up my old deck?
No. Removing an old deck adds about £10–£20 per m², depending on how it was built and how much waste there is.
Would a patio be cheaper?
On a flat site, a concrete slab patio at £80–£120 per m² can be cheaper than composite decking. On a sloping site a raised deck is often cheaper than building up the ground. See the patio cost guide.