What does it cost to build a deck?

Adding a deck to your home can be a relatively simple way to enhance your property, giving you an outdoor space for entertaining or just for relaxation. But like any other renovation project, it’s important to consider your budget when building a deck, to help ensure you enjoy the best value.

What affects the cost of a deck?

The main considerations when estimating the potential cost of a deck are the deck’s size, shape, and layout in your yard. 

The cost of a deck is generally measured in square metres (sqm or m2), so a larger deck will cost more than a smaller deck. These costs could be higher if you choose a deck of an unusual shape, or if there are challenges that will require extra work to design and build your deck, such as if you build your deck high up off the ground, or on a steep and rocky slope rather than flat land.

Additionally, adding extra features to your deck, such as a balustrade or a roof, could further increase the cost, depending on the scale of the project.

What materials can be used to build a deck?

There are a wide variety of options available for constructing your deck, which may better suit different budgets and styles. 

These include but aren’t limited to: 

• Concrete (plain or coloured)
• Timber (e.g. pine, hardwood, composite)

How much does a concrete deck or patio cost?

A patio or deck of concrete can have a number of advantages, such as long-lasting durability compared to timber, with no risk of termites or rot. A concrete deck can give your home a unique aesthetic, with options such as tiles, coloured or patterned surfaces all letting you put your mark on your outdoor space.

That said, a concrete patio may not suit every home, and there are different construction challenges to consider compared to a timber deck, such as excavation and drainage.

According to Hipages, a plain concrete patio can cost anywhere between $60 per sqm and $85 per sqm on average. This cost rises if you opt for coloured, stencilled or stamped concrete, or for exposed aggregate.

How much is a timber deck?

Timber decking is one of the more popular options when it comes to deck construction in Australia, offering a quality finish.

However, it’s important to also consider the potential risks involved with a timber deck. Even treated timber may be vulnerable to damage from rain, storms and flooding, and if you live in the bush, fires can be a real concern. Also, there’s a chance that termites or other pests could infest the timber.

The type of timber you choose could give our deck a greatly different finish, and your project a different price tag. Some common options include:

• Treated pine
• Merbau
• Ironbark
• Blackbutt
• Jarrah
• Spotted Gum
• Stringybark

Generally, hardwoods tend to be more resistant to fire and termites, and in turn cost more than softer woods.

You could also choose a composite deck that’s made from a combination of timber fibres and recycled plastic.

The best timber choice for your deck may depend on the location and layout of the deck in your home, as well as the size of your budget. For example, if you live in a bushfire prone area, you may get more value out of fire-resistant native Australian hardwoods, even if they cost a little more.

According to Service Seeking, the price of timber decking will depend on your construction material and the scope of the project:

• $200 per square metre for treated pine decking
• $320+ per square metre for hardwood timber decking
• $350+ per square metre for composite decking
• $800+ per square metre for decking with roofing and/or stairs
• $1,000+ for elevated cyclone rated decking

What does it cost to add a rooftop deck or terrace?

If you have the rooftop space available in your property, a rooftop deck or terrace space could provide incredible views of the surrounding area, making it an amazing place to relax or entertain year-round. 

Installing a deck on your rooftop may be a more challenging and expensive prospect than adding a garden deck in some cases, as you’ll need to account for your building’s roof design, safety, waterproofing, accessibility and more.

These costs can all add up – according to Houzz, a finished roof deck could cost around 40 to 50 per cent more than building a trussed roof with roof sheeting in the same area.

What questions do you need to ask before building a deck?

Do you need council approval? 

Depending on where you live, the type of property you own, and the type of deck you plan to build, you may need to submit the plans for your project to your local council for approval before construction can commence.

Is your area prone to natural disasters?

If you live in an area where fires, floods or cyclones are a real concern, then your deck’s design and construction may need to meet stricter and more specific safety requirements.

How will you finance your deck project?

If your savings won’t be enough to cover the cost of adding a deck to your property, you may be able to apply for finance for home improvements. This could involve refinancing your mortgage to access your equity, or redrawing extra repayments, or dipping into your offset account.

Alternatively, you could set a renovation budget by applying for a separate personal loan for home improvement. This could be a typical personal loan where you borrow a lump sum to be repaid in regular instalments over a predetermined length of time, or a line of credit, where you can borrow up to a maximum limit and only pay interest on what you currently owe.

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