Cost guides › Garden decking
United Kingdom
How much does decking cost?
Having 25 m² of treated softwood decking built in your garden typically costs £2,800 including VAT, with most quotes between £2,200 and £3,650. That is a low deck, within 30 cm of the ground, with a couple of steps. A plain deck without steps is around £2,350; composite boards bring it to about £3,800. Choose hardwood, a raised deck on posts, a balustrade or removal of an old deck in the calculator.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £2,500 | £2,950 | £4,000 |
| Scotland | £2,400 | £2,800 | £3,850 |
| South East | £2,350 | £2,800 | £3,800 |
| East | £2,350 | £2,750 | £3,750 |
| East Midlands | £2,300 | £2,750 | £3,700 |
| North West | £2,350 | £2,750 | £3,750 |
| South West | £2,350 | £2,750 | £3,750 |
| Wales | £2,300 | £2,750 | £3,700 |
| West Midlands | £2,350 | £2,750 | £3,750 |
| North East | £2,300 | £2,700 | £3,700 |
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| Yorkshire and The Humber | £2,300 | £2,700 | £3,700 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Setting out, levelling and a weed membrane under the deck
- Treated softwood posts set in concrete, bearers and joists
- Grooved or smooth treated softwood deck boards, screwed down
- Deck kept low, within 30 cm of the ground
- Two to three steps down to the lawn
- Clearing up and taking away offcuts
What affects the cost
Boards
Treated softwood is the cheapest and most common. Composite costs more to buy but needs no treatment, and hardwoods such as balau or ipe are the most expensive and hardest to cut.
Height
Low decking on a level garden is simple carpentry. A deck raised on posts needs a stronger frame, bracing and a balustrade, and above 30 cm it also needs planning permission.
Balustrade
Balustrading is priced per metre and adds up quickly around a raised deck. Timber spindles are the usual choice.
Ground conditions
Sloping or soft ground needs more posts and a taller frame, and access through the house instead of a side gate slows everything down.
Removing old decking
Taking up a rotten deck and disposing of it is an extra, usually a few hundred pounds, more if a skip is needed.
Treatment
Softwood decking should be oiled or stained to keep water out. Some tradespeople include a first coat, others leave it to you; check the quote.
How to save
- Keep the deck low and within the permitted development limits so no planning application is needed.
- Use treated softwood for the frame and put any extra money into the boards.
- Design around standard board lengths to cut waste.
- Stain or oil the deck yourself once it is built.
Grants, tax and rules
Planning permission
Decking is permitted development, with no planning application needed, as long as it is no more than 30 cm above the ground, it covers no more than half the garden together with extensions and outbuildings, and none of it is in front of the principal elevation of the house (Planning Portal). Extra limits apply in some areas, such as National Parks and conservation areas, and to listed buildings.
VAT
Our figures include 20% VAT.
Frequently asked questions
How much does decking cost per square metre?
Treated softwood is the cheapest per square metre, composite sits in the middle and hardwood costs the most. For 25 m² of softwood with a couple of steps, expect about £2,800 including VAT.
Do I need planning permission for decking?
Not if it stays within 30 cm of the ground, covers no more than half the garden with other extensions and outbuildings, and is not in front of the house. A raised deck above that height needs planning permission.
Is composite decking worth it?
It costs more up front but only needs washing, while softwood needs treating regularly and lasts about 10 to 15 years. If you do not want to oil the deck every year, composite is usually worth it.
How long does it take to lay decking?
A straightforward deck of this size usually takes two or three days for a pair of tradespeople, longer on sloping ground or with steps and balustrades.
Decking or a patio: which is cheaper?
Low softwood decking is usually cheaper to build than a paved patio of the same size, especially on sloping ground, but a patio lasts longer and needs less upkeep.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 32.4 · Labour: £1,199 · Materials: £1,129
Sources: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, tables 14 and 15; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: Mid = 25 m2 treated softwood deck within 30 cm of the ground, 2-3 steps, incl. 20% VAT. Checkatrade garden decking cost (updated Jun 2026): softwood 15-30 m2 GBP 80/m2 (GBP 2,400 medium deck); BestBuilders decking cost (Sep 2026): softwood GBP 80-140/m2, steps GBP 80-200 each..
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy