Pick the kind of decking work from the dropdown, then one of three job sizes, and you get a budget range drawn from the indicative prices we publish. Those run from £150–£650 for decking cleaning and restoration up to £4,000–£15,000 for raised decking. Use the result to plan a budget and to sense-check quotes, not as a price for your garden.
Choosing between the three sizes
- Small or simple job: a compact, low timber or composite deck with straight edges; a board-only replacement on a frame that is staying; a few boards or fixings swapped as a repair; or a straightforward clean with nothing to strip.
- Typical size, a few extras: an average garden deck with a border, a step or a shaped edge; a full strip-out and rebuild on the same footprint; a section lifted to repair a joist or step; or a clean followed by a fresh coat of oil.
- Large, elevated or extensive: a big or premium deck, a tall raised structure with long stairs and guarding, a rebuild that changes size, height or material, repairs in several places, or a peeling finish stripped back over more than one visit.
It cannot see under your existing boards. For replacements and repairs especially, the real price often depends on what is found once boards are lifted, which is why many quotes include an allowance for investigation or price more than one outcome.
Turning a range into a realistic budget
Take the middle of the range as your planning figure, then think about what might push your job up. Difficult access, waste carried through the house, sloping or soft ground and a need for design or approvals all tend to move prices upwards. A flat, open garden with a simple rectangle tends to move them down.
Our free quotes page also lists three extras that can be added where they are not already included: old deck removal (£150–£400), a short timber step flight (£150–£500) and basic timber balustrade (£40–£120 per linear metre).
If you have not chosen a material yet, read composite vs timber decking first. If you have an old deck and are not sure whether to repair, restore or rebuild it, the signs your decking needs replacing checklist will point you to the right service. Raised decks vary more than anything else, and the raised decking cost guide explains why.
Once you know roughly what you can spend, send an enquiry so installers can price the real deck. Up to four independent installers may respond, and you do not have to accept any of them.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the decking calculator?
It is a budgeting tool built from the indicative ranges we publish. A real quote depends on measurements, ground conditions, access and the materials you choose, so expect it to differ.
Why is the raised decking range so wide?
Raised decks are priced mainly by height and structure. Footings, posts, bracing, stairs, guarding and sometimes an engineer's design can vary enormously between gardens.
Do the ranges include VAT and disposal?
They are whole-job allowances, but what each contractor includes varies. Ask every quote to state VAT, delivery, waste removal and any design or approval fees.
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