Garden Decking Cost

How Much Does Garden Decking Cost?

The cost of garden decking installation in the UK can typically ranges from £925 to £1,600 for softwood or between £2,250 and £3,750 for composite decking. However, in this guide, we break down all the costs of decking installation that you need to know about.

Are you thinking about having decking installed in your garden?

We'll cover decking labour costs in the UK, the cost of decking per metre, how long it should take to be installed, and other useful tidbits.

If you're ready to get a quote for your new decking, we can also help connect you with local decking specialists.

Opting for garden decking is a popular choice when you want to create a more stylish yet practical way to access your garden.

So let's get down to it. What's the cost of decking installation in 2025?

The cost of having about 15m² of softwood decking installed will come to around £925 to £1,600.

For about the same area, hardwood decking installation prices will be between £1,600 and £3,625, composite wood decking would cost around £2,250 to £3,750, and uPVC decking installation will be roughly £2,275 to £3,400.

Garden Decking Prices Per M²

How much does decking cost per square metre in 2025?

Excluding all other costs, the cost per metre of softwood decking should be between £3 to £7.

Other types of decking are usually more expensive, with hardwood decking costing about £6 to £15, composite wood decking priced at around £10 to £20 for low to mid-range decking, and uPVC decking in the range of about £9 to £14.

Additional Garden Decking Costs

What additional costs might you need to pay when having new garden decking installed?

Here are a few you should be aware of:

Garden Maintenance Cost

When it comes to gardener prices, you may be charged anywhere in the range of £15 to £25 per hour. However, most gardeners will have a flat rate covering at least two hours.

As a result, you can expect to pay between £30 and £50 to have garden maintenance undertaken by a professional. Although for regular maintenance, depending on the size of your garden, it's unlikely to be more than a couple of hour work.

Once you've had your garden decking installed, it's good to keep on top of general maintenance to keep it looking nice - especially if you're adding plants etc onto the decking itself.

Garden Waste Removal Cost

Garden clearance and waste removal will likely take about 45 minutes to clear, costing somewhere between £45 and £135, depending on how much there is.

The total end cost will then depend on how much needs removing.

• Removing around 300kg (20 bags) of waste may cost approximately £45
• Removing around 900kg (60 bags) of waste may cost approximately £135

This is particularly relevant in terms of having your initial garden decking layed, and is worth asking if it is already included in the price of the job or if you need to prepare in advance.

Weed Proof Membrane Cost

You could have a weed-proof membrane installed to protect your decking from garden weeds (like broad-leaved dock and nettles).

This will likely cost about £40 per pack and provide enough to cover roughly 10 to 15 square metres. It will also require additional labour, which may cost about £15 to £25 for an hour's work (assuming it is on top of an ongoing work schedule).

Installing Decking Steps

Another addition to your decking which you could have installed is decking steps.

The cost of decking steps may be anywhere between £50 to £215. The labour costs depend on how long the job will take, but most people will charge about £20 to £40 per hour depending on experience and the extent of the work required.

Garden Renovation Cost

If your garden decking is part of a wider project, then in order to carry out a complete Garden renovation costs can depend on your desire for how to make the most of the outdoor space and the end result you are after.

Although based on a large back garden of 100 metres squared, setting aside between £7,000 - £12,000 allows for a wide range of work to be carried out, such as laying a new lawn, putting up a garden fence and buying some plants.

Labour Cost to Lay Decking in the UK

So, how much should garden decking installation cost in 2025?

The labour costs of having softwood decking installed for a 15m² area will be roughly £480 to £615, while having hardwood decking installed in the same area costs more at around £900 to £1,500.

What are the labour prices you should expect to pay to get a deck installed in your garden?

Before we get to them, keep in mind that these are average estimates and can vary depending on the experience of the tradesmen, complexity of the job and also location (for example labour fees are higher in London and the South East).

Your location in the UK will strongly impact the cost of decking installation.

Composite decking installation costs will be about £1170 to £2100 for a 15m² area. To cover the same area with uPVC decking will cost around the same price.

For a larger area of 20m², the price to install medium-quality timber decking would be around £640 to £820. For an area twice the size of this (40m²), it would cost roughly £1280 to £1640 to get the decking installed.

How Long Does It Take to Install Decking?

For this section, we will discuss the durations it takes to install the various types of decking, namely softwood, hardwood, composite and uPVC.

The table below breaks down how long it should take to install various types and sizes of decking in your garden.

However, it could take longer than this.

Factors that impact the time it takes to install decking include the:

• Size of your garden
• State of the decking area (as a poor decking area may need additional groundwork or preparation)
• Ease of access to your garden

How is Decking Installed?

The process for installing decking is straightforward, although it can require skill and patience to get it right.

Roughly, these are the major steps that will be taken once you have completed the plan for your decking:

• Level and prepare the ground.
• Create the sub-frame.
• Cut the decking boards.
• Lay the decking boards.
• Seal the cuts to protect them.
• Sand any rough edges.

While this list looks straightforward, there are plenty of smaller steps involved such as marking and measuring the boards or the process of staggering boards to increase the overall strength of the decking.

That's why, unless you have experience, you may be best leaving this job to the professionals.

Types of Decking

We'll now go through the different types of decking that you can get in more detail.

Each of the subsections below goes through what each type of decking is, associated costs, as well as the pros and cons. Once again, labour costs are based on an area of 15m².

Softwood Decking Costs

Softwood decking is made from trees like spruce and pine which are coniferous, evergreen trees. Roughly 4 in 5 types of timber are softwood and are often used to make softwood timber decking.

The supply cost for softwood decking is around £3 to £7 per metre, while the labour costs of having this type of decking installed will land around £480 to £615.

Softwood products tend to be the cheapest decking available, although decking prices could rise to £7 to £9 per metre for more premium softwood options such as Siberian larch.

Pros:

• Cheaper decking type
• Easily installed
• With pressure-treated softwood, you can anticipate a long life expectancy
• More environmentally friendly than hardwood

Cons:

• Unsuitable for areas with high foot traffic as it can fade with time
• Regular maintenance will prove necessary for softwood decking
• Not as durable as hardwood

Hardwood Decking Costs

Hardwood decking is made from trees that are deciduous and have a slow growth rate. Maple and European Oak are examples of different hardwood types.

You can expect hardwood decking installation costs to be around £1600 to £3625. The supply costs of hardwood are usually around £6 to £15 per metre.

Pros:

• High-quality type of decking
• Very durable
• More fire-resistant than softwood decking
• Unlimited design options

Cons:

• May prove more difficult and time-consuming to install
• An expensive type of decking
• Needs regular maintenance

Composite Decking Costs

Composite decking comprises both wood and plastic materials. You can expect to pay around £9 to £20 per metre for it.

However, there are high-end premium boards available that may dramatically increase composite decking prices up to £40 per metre, so be sure to check brands and quality if the price seems high.

The cost of composite decking will likely end up in the range of about £2250 to £3750 - which is more expensive than softwood or uPVC decking products.

Pros:

• Long-lasting
• Durable
• Available in a wide range of colours and textures

Cons:

• More expensive than softwood or uPVC decking
• The colours of composite decking cannot be changed
• Dark composite decking colours are prone to fading with time

uPVC Decking Costs

This type of decking is made entirely from plastic. uPVC decking installation costs will be about £2275 to £3400, with uPVC material costs usually between £9 to £14 per square metre.

Pros:

• One of the cheapest types of decking materials
• Highly resistant to becoming slippery - even during particularly wet weather
• Doesn't rot
• uPVC decking doesn't require maintenance

Cons:

• May not be the type of aesthetic you are looking for
• More difficult to install
• Can become particularly hot during the warmer months, which may mean that it's not suitable to walk on without footwear (or for pets to walk across)

Garden Decking Alternatives

Decking might be the go-to for many when imagining their ideal outdoor area, but there's a whole world of alternatives out there. From patios to turf and artificial grass, each option brings its own advantages to your garden, catering to different tastes and needs.

Let's explore these choices, finding the perfect setting for your outdoors:

Patio

Patio laying is the easygoing relative of decking, they are simple, sturdy, and oh-so-stylish. Choose from paving slabs, bricks, or natural stone to set the stage for your garden gatherings.

They're tough enough to handle any party and easy to keep clean, offering a perfect blend of beauty and practicality. Plus, you can lay those stones in a unique pattern, making your patio a true reflection of your style.

Turf

For that touch of greenery, turf laying is your ideal go-to. It's soft underfoot, making your garden a prime spot for relaxation and play. Turf is nature's air purifier, but it does ask for a bit of care such as some watering, mowing, and occasional feeding.

For those who enjoy a weekend gardening session, it offers the perfect mix of function and natural beauty.

Artificial Grass

If you're looking for green without the fuss, artificial grass installation is the alternative answer. It keeps your garden looking vibrant all year round, with no watering or mowing required. Modern varieties look and feel just like the real thing, making it a smart choice for busy gardeners.

It's an upfront investment that pays off with minimal upkeep, ideal for enjoying your outdoor space with minimal effort.

How Much Does Decking Repair Cost?

In this section, we break down the cost of different types of decking repairs.

Two common decking repairs include fixing rotten decking boards and repairing decking joists.

Rotten Decking Boards

To fix decking boards that have been damaged by rot, the relevant pieces of wood will need to be taken up. The planks should then be turned upside down before being treated with a wire brush to remove heavily eroded pieces.

The decking boards may then be soaked and treated again with a wire brush once they have dried. A product like CPES may also be used to improve the wood’s condition.

Filler may also prove necessary to fill where old, worn pieces of wood had been removed. The decking boards will then need to be returned to their original place.

A professional may use this approach. However, they might recommend that you replace the decking boards. This can sometimes be a quicker and lower-cost option than repairing them.

To have new decking boards installed may cost anywhere from £3 to £40 per linear metre in length - the price range being down to a choice of quality, thickness and materials.

As for the installation cost, allow a minimum of £40 to £50 assuming 2 hours or less of work. Based on this, to have five decking boards replaced might cost you about £80 to £90.

Repairing Decking Joists

Decking joists can be repaired by having rotted areas removed after a short inspection.

Sealer should then be applied before the joist is reinforced. The reinforcing of the joist must then be secured.

If you wish to hire a professional to install replacement decking joists, you can expect the cost for pinewood to end up at around £5 to £7, £9 to £11 for softwood, and £14 to £16 for hardwood.

The labour costs will likely come to around £20 to £25 per hour. A two-hour flat rate minimum charge will likely be charged by the tradesperson.

How Much Does Decking Maintenance Cost?

For this section, we will discuss the costs involved in performing various types of decking maintenance.

Paint, Stain, or Oil Decking

While painting the decking can help to bring vitality and life to it, staining is specifically designed to paint a colour onto the wood. Oil is used to apply an appropriate finish and give a glistening, aesthetic look to your decking.

Late spring or early August are the best times to paint, stain, and/or oil decking.

You should have your decking stained stain at least every two years. Your decking should be oiled every 6 to 12 months. In terms of painting, it may only be required every several years.

A painter will charge a minimum of about £27 to £37 (two-hour flat rate) and an additional £14 to £18 per hour after the first two to paint decking.

Total labour costs will depend on the size of your decking, the ease of access to your garden, and your whereabouts in the UK.

The supply costs will be added to the labour costs if performed by a professional or will be the only cost if you undertake the work by yourself.

The supply costs to paint a decking with an area of 20m² will probably come to about £30 to £120, as 2-6 litres of paint will be needed. The decking should be painted with 2 or 3 coats.

The wood stain paint supply costs for the same area of decking will likely cost you about £40 to £200. Two coats of stain paint should be applied to the deck. A painter will charge the same for this type of work per hour (in terms of the labour costs) as mentioned above.

For every square metre of decking, 1 litre of oil should provide you with enough for two coats. 2-3 oil coats will be needed. Hence, you may need 20-30 litres of oil to fully cover a deck if it has an area of 20m².

The total cost for 20-30 litres of oil will likely end up around £80 to £240. The labour costs will once more be around £14 to £18 per hour if performed by a painter.

Cleaning Decking

Deck cleaning may involve a full wash of the decking and efforts to remove rotted pieces of wood, other debris, and undesired marks that have appeared on the deck.

It’s best to clean the decking in the spring or autumn and when the temperatures are consistently above 11°C.

Your decking should be cleaned about once a year.

The labour costs of deck cleaning will likely come with a minimal two-hour charge of about £50 to £100 while the cost per metre squared for the cleaning will likely be around £2.

This means that to have a decking cleaned which is about 20m² will cost roughly £70 to £140. If you wish to perform the job yourself, the supply costs will vary based on what materials you require.

This will depend on how much of a clean is needed. A pressure washer will help you to wash your deck effectively and will cost you around £80 to £200 to buy one. Other tools you may choose to buy include a deck cleaning solution (£10 to £20) and a scrubber brush (£5 to £8).

Sanding Decking

When decking has become weathered and worn, it should be sanded to even it out and remove imperfections.

It is best to sand your decking in the spring or autumn and during a time when there is little to no rain forecasted for a several-day period.

Your decking should be sanded prior to having it stained. As a general rule, staining should be carried out every 2 years so remember to have decking sanded before applying a new coat.

If you wish to have your decking sanded, a professional job will cost around £40 to £50 as a flat rate and then around £20 to £25 per hour thereafter.

For a 20m² decking, it’s probably going to cost you about £400 to £500 in terms of the total labour costs. This assumes that the job will take around six and a half hours.

If you wish to sand the deck by yourself, you’ll likely need to spend anywhere from £10 to £50 on supply costs. Of course, how much sandpaper you’ll need to fully sand your decking will depend on the type of decking you have and the area it covers.

Planning Permission and Building Regulations

Unless your garden decking is to be elevated more than 30cm above ground level, and doesn't cover any more than 50% of your garden (including extensions and outbuildings) then no planning permission is required. However, if the proposed work intrudes on a neighbour, you live in a listed building or conservation area then you may need approval from your local planning authority.

Again, unless you are significantly changing your property, building regulations don't apply to garden decking. Although it is still important to ensure it is structurally safety, and you consider any drainage that may be required as part of your design.

In the event your decking is to form part of a larger structure, or is expected to support the weight of other garden additions such as a hot tub or area for hosting guests, then there may be some building regulations that need to be adhered to.

How Much Does Decking Removal Cost?

You may choose to remove decking because you have no use for it or if you wish to replace it with another surface such as paving slabs or artificial grass.

A professional will probably charge you about £100 to £500 to remove your decking. You may also choose to hire a skip for roughly £100 to £300.

How large the skip needs to be will depend on the size of the decking you want to have removed. You can dispose of decking with a skip or through a ‘man and van’ service.

FAQs

Q: How many decking boards do I need?

A: The number of decking boards you’ll need will depend on the size of the area you wish to cover. You can utilise a decking calculator to figure this out as well as to calculate various other details such as how many joists and posts your decking will require.

Q: How long does decking last?

A: Decking may last anywhere from 15 to 30 years - if well maintained.

Q: Which wood is best for decking?

A: Redwood and cedar woods are among the best types for decking.

Q: Is it cheaper to have a patio or decking?

A: Patios are often cheaper to build because the materials and labour are usually less. However, higher decking prices can be offset by the value to your home, with decking more attractive to some buyers.

Q. Do I need to level my garden for decking?

A: Yes, a level surface for installing decking is recommended. While it is technically possible to lay decking on an uneven surface, it won't be as straightforward to make the sub-frame and lay the boards correctly if a surface is not level.

Q. Can I install garden decking myself DIY?

A: It is possible to install decking yourself if you are confident and have the basic skills, however, hiring a professional helps ensure it is structurally safe and laid correctly - especially when it comes to more complex decking.

Does a change in weather affect garden decking?

A: Wet and wintery conditions may require more maintenance once it is dry, with garden decking potentially then needing treatment during the warmer months. Likewise, humidity can also affect certain decking, so it is good to choose materials resistant to rot and mould for a longer-lasting installation.

Sources

1. https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/powertools/best-pressure-washers-for-car-decking-block-paving-under-100-deals-patio-b2328991.html
2. https://www.atpine.com.au/merbau-decking-oil/
3. https://defywoodstain.com/blogs/wood-resources-from-defy/how-many-coats-of-deck-stain-to-apply#erid9053793

Author: Dean M

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Digital Media, I'm a freelance writer and I've worked for clients such as the British Blockchain Association and I have experience in writing articles, YouTube video scripts, online guides and newsletters. I have written and produced many short films as well as a web series and feature film. I am also currently working on a novel.