Cost guide
How much does decking cost?
It rises softwood to hardwood to composite to premium composite; lifetime cost often inverts that order. Priced after a survey.
In short
Decking cost is best understood by the relative order of the materials rather than a single figure, because it ranges widely with the board and the structure, and the materials swap places over their life. From lower to higher upfront: softwood timber, then hardwood timber, then standard composite, then premium composite such as Millboard. The lifetime cost often inverts that order, because composite needs almost no maintenance and lasts far longer. The substructure, the levels and any railings or steps also shape it, so we price each deck after a survey.
Indicative ranges
What you can expect to pay
Figures are relative, not quotations. Each scheme is priced after a survey.
| Upfront | Decking type | Over its lifetime |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest | Softwood timber | Higher, with upkeep and replacement |
| Higher | Hardwood timber | Moderate |
| Higher again | Standard composite | Lower, low upkeep |
| Highest | Premium composite, eg Millboard | Lowest, longest lasting |
Source: Gardenscape. Figures as of 2026-06-01.
What changes the price
The factors that move the figure
Decking is the one surface where a single rate is misleading, because the materials sit at very different points and, more importantly, swap places over their life. So the useful way to think about it is the relative order. Upfront, from lower to higher: softwood timber, hardwood timber, standard composite, then premium composite such as Millboard. Over the lifetime that order tends to invert, because timber needs regular oiling or staining and eventually replacing, while composite needs almost nothing and lasts far longer. So the cheapest board on day one is often the dearest over fifteen ye
Common questions
Common questions
Timber is cheaper up front; composite is often cheaper over its life because it needs almost no maintenance and lasts far longer. The honest comparison is the lifetime cost.
The substructure, the levels, the height, and any railings, steps or raised sections. A deck near water also has its own detailing, which is why each is priced after a survey.
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