Decking cost calculator

Enter the area of your deck and prices from your supplier or installer. You get a line-by-line total and a cost per square metre.

The prices in the boxes are placeholders to show how the calculator works. Replace them with quotes from your supplier or installer.

How the total is worked out

Each material price is multiplied by the deck area. Steps and handrail are priced separately, and other costs are added as a lump sum. The contingency is a percentage of the subtotal, and VAT is added last if you choose it.

What people forget to price

Groundwork. Levelling, clearing and drainage can cost as much as some of the materials.
Delivery and waste. Timber and composite boards are heavy, and old decking or soil has to be taken away.
Fixings and trims. Hidden clips, starter clips, edge trim and end caps are priced separately from the boards.
Steps and handrails. They often add more per metre than the deck itself.
Planning and regulations. Check the planning permission checker before you buy anything.

Getting prices you can trust

Costs vary by region, board type and access to the garden, so general price guides are only a starting point. Get two or three written quotes with the materials, labour and extras itemised, then enter each here to compare them on the same basis. Use the decking calculator to check that the quantities in a quote look sensible.

Questions

How do I get an accurate decking cost?

Get two or three written quotes with the materials, labour and extras itemised, then enter those prices here to compare them on the same basis.

What contingency should I add?

10% is a common starting point for small projects. Add more if the ground is uneven, access is difficult, or you are not sure what you will find when you start.

Does the cost include groundwork?

Only if you enter it. Use the other costs box for groundwork, foundations, delivery and skip hire.

Is a quote cheaper than building it myself?

Tick the DIY box to remove labour and compare. Remember to count the tools you would need to buy or hire, and the time it takes you.

Defaults we could not confirm from a primary source

All prices in the boxes are placeholders. We deliberately do not publish price ranges, because they vary by region, product and season.