Updated 25 September 2026
Decking cost UK 2026
The going rate for decking in 2026 is £40–£80/m² (labour only). Below: a calculator, what the job involves, materials at three price levels, and the prep that changes the price.
Market band£40–£80/m²
Worked example, 20 m²£2,248
Time on site4.5 days
Decking calculator
Price a real job freeUses your rates, your speed and your receipts.
Market band source: Trade2Base.
What the job involves
| Stage | Task | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| ground | Level ground and weed membrane | 0.3 h per m² |
| ground | Posts, bearers and joists | 0.8 h per m² |
| boards | Boards and fascia | 0.6 h per m² |
Materials at three price levels
| Material | Budget | Trade choice | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated joists, bearers and posts per m² | £12 C16 treated — Ground-level frames | £16 C24 treated, joist tape — Stiffer, longer life | £24 C24 with adjustable pedestals — Uneven ground |
Trade prices ex VAT, estimates checked 2026-09-25. Log your receipts in Grafto and your own prices replace these.
What changes the price
- Boards? softwood · composite big effect
- Height? ground level · raised (under 30 cm) · raised (30 cm+)
Good practice
- Lived-in home: time for dust sheets and moving furniture
- Composite: follow the maker's joist spacing and gaps
Prep to look for
| Condition | Check | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven floor | visible slopes, gaps under skirting | Uneven floor: extra packing and levelling time |
Questions
How much does decking cost in the UK in 2026?
The researched market band is £40–£80/m² (labour only), from Trade2Base. A worked example of 20 m² comes to about £1,996–£3,171 across budget, trade and premium materials.
How long does decking take?
The worked example of 20 m² takes about 4.5 working days.
What changes the price of decking?
Mainly boards, plus any prep found on site: uneven floor.