How to price building decking
Deck boards, joists, screws, membrane and time per m²: how to quote a ground-level timber deck in the UK.
For landscapers in the UK. Prices checked November 2026.
Worked example
“Build a 15 m² ground-level softwood deck.”
| Material | Qty | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated softwood deck board 144 x 28mm 3.6m | 32 | £416.00 | |
| Treated joist C24 47 x 150mm 4.8m | 11 | £264.00 | |
| Decking screws 4.5 x 65mm tub of 500 | 2 tub | £36.00 | |
| Weed control fabric 1m x 14m | 2 roll | £24.00 | |
| Adjustable deck pedestal | 23 | £92.00 | |
| End grain preserver 1L | 1 | £11.00 | |
| Labour, 20.5 hours at £35.00/hour | £717.50 | ||
| Transport | £25.00 | ||
| Total | £1,585.50 |
Typical UK retail prices including VAT, November 2026. Not VAT-registered example; add 20% to the total if you are. Rate is an example: use your own.
Where the time goes
- Prepare ground and lay membrane4 h
- Build joist frame7.5 h
- Fix deck boards and finish9 h
Before you quote
- Joists at 400 mm centres; check the board manufacturer's spans.
- Ground prep varies hugely: look at the site.
How the quantities are worked out
Each material is counted in the units merchants sell it in, with normal waste allowed, so you can order straight from the list. Labour is the on-site time for one competent tradesperson, including setting up, testing and clearing up. Change the measurements and the whole quote moves with them; that's what Quotable does for you on every job, with each material priced live at UK merchants.
Quote this job with today's prices
Type the job, check the lines, send a link your customer can accept and pay. Every material is priced live and linked to the product.