Deck Cost Calculator — Materials, Labour & Total Budget
Estimate the total cost to build a timber or composite deck — including decking boards, joists, posts, concrete footings, fixings and optional labour costs. Get a breakdown by material category so you know where the budget goes.
Deck type
Plan view (from above)
Shopping list — Raised deck
Decking boards and cladding
Structural timber
Fasteners and brackets
Foundations
Railing
✓ Result ready — save to project
Free to try — no sign-up
Plan the whole job — not just this calculation
Save results to a project: budget and shopping list build themselves, and the whole plan exports as a PDF. Draw your floor plan and room sizes pre-fill the calculators.
How the deck cost calculator works
- 1Material quantities calculated from deck dimensions (same as deck board + footing calculators)
- 2Unit prices applied to each material: boards (per lm), joists (per lm), posts (each), concrete (per bag)
- 3Fixings estimated at 3–5% of total material cost
- 4Labour is not certified by the material calculator; add labour separately from local quotes or your own rate assumptions if the component exposes a labour field
- 5Add contingency manually to the material total if desired; the shared deck calculator primarily estimates material quantities and material cost
- 6Total shown by the shared deck calculator is based on the material and hardware categories it implements; add labour and contingency separately if not exposed as inputs
Worked example
20 m² ground-level timber deck. Example pricing: boards €8/lm, joists €4/lm, posts €20 each, concrete €5.50/bag.
Boards: 188 lm × €8 = €1,504. Joists: 88 lm × €4 = €352. Posts: 9 × €20 = €180. Concrete: 10 bags × €5.50 = €55. Total materials: €2,091 + 10% contingency = €2,300. Adjust unit prices to match your local quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck?
A basic pressure-treated timber deck typically costs €150–250/m² for materials plus labour. Composite decking adds 50–100% to material costs but requires less maintenance. Complex raised decks or those requiring permits cost more. Prices vary by region.
Is composite decking worth the extra cost?
Composite decking costs 2–3× more than pressure-treated timber upfront but requires no oiling, staining or annual maintenance. Over 10–15 years, the total cost of ownership is often similar — and composite typically looks better longer.
What is the biggest cost driver in deck construction?
For large decks, the decking boards themselves (60–70% of materials). For raised decks, the substructure (posts, beams, joists) becomes dominant. Labour is typically 30–50% of total project cost for professionally built decks.
Do I need planning permission to build a deck?
Rules vary by country and region. In many jurisdictions, small ground-level decks (under 15–30 m² and under 0.5 m high) are exempt from permits. Larger decks or those attached to the house often require a permit. Always check with your local planning authority before starting.
How long does a deck last?
Pressure-treated timber: 15–25 years with annual maintenance. Hardwood (bangkirai, teak): 20–30 years. Composite decking: 25–50 years depending on quality. Regular cleaning and proper drainage are the most important factors for longevity.