Patio vs decking cost guide – which works for you?

When it comes to making upgrades to your garden, the cost is a big factor in the decision, so we’re helping you out by comparing the cost of a patio vs a deck.

How much does it cost to lay decking vs patio?

The cost of a patio vs a deck will ultimately depend on a number of factors, including:

• The size of your garden
• The condition of the ground
• The size and shape of the area you wish to cover
• The materials used

Decking costs

As a rough overall cost guide for the decking materials and installation, you could expect to pay anywhere between £2,300 for a non-elevated softwood deck to £22,000 for an elevated composite decking with railing and stairs.

Decking types and costs

There are 3 main types of decking that are most commonly used, so when considering decking vs patio costs it’s worth understanding the price differences of the base materials.

Softwood decking – For softwood decking, you can expect to pay approx. £4 to £6 per metre length boards.

Hardwood decking – For hardwood decking, you can expect to pay approx. £9 to £15 per metre length boards.

Composite decking – For composite decking, you can expect to pay approx. £15 to £25 per metre length boards.

For a more detailed guide on the cost of decking, read our decking cost guide.

How much does it cost to lay a patio?

As with the cost of decking, the cost of laying a patio will depend on various factors. As an overall estimate, the cost of laying a patio per metre squared can range from £55 to £150.

Patio types and costs

The patio cost vs a deck will mainly be determined by the type of material you choose for your patio. The main patio types and costs are:

• Concrete patio – For a concrete patio you can expect to pay between £30 and £40 per m2.
• Flagstone patio – For a flagstone patio you can expect to pay between £15 and £75 per m2.
• Raised patio – For a raised patio, prices typically start from £45 per m2.

For more in-depth cost information about laying a patio, read our patio cost guide.

Decking vs patio cost – pros and cons

When trying to decide between decking or a patio, the initial cost will be a huge factor in your decision, but you also need to consider other costs that you might need to pay. Let’s look at the pros and cons…

Decking pros and cons

Pros

• Typically, it’s quicker and simpler to install than a patio
• The overall cost is usually cheaper than a patio

Cons

• Timber decking requires a lot of ongoing maintenance and aftercare
• Poorly maintained decking will crack, warp and become unusable, so there will be ongoing costs for maintenance and repair.

Patio pros and cons

Pros

• Flagstones are very durable
• Concrete is durable and cost-effective
• In general, patio’s are very low maintenance

Cons

• Flagstones are heavy and take longer to install which may add to the cost
• Concrete is expensive to repair if it cracks
• Raised patios can be more complex to build, take more time and therefore, more expensive

Patio cost vs deck hourly rates

As we’ve covered the overall costs will vary but as a general guide, a landscape gardener will cost between £12.50 and £18.75 per hour, or approximately £100-£150 per day.

A bricklayer will charge between £18.75 to £31.25 per hour or £150 to £250 per day. Patios usually take 3-4 days to lay.

Labour charges for decking are similar but depending on the size and style of your decking, you can expect the job to take 1-2 days.

Decking vs patio cost calculator

You’ll understand by now that the cost will ultimately depend on the size and materials you choose, but to help you with a comparison of the cost of a patio vs a deck we’ll look at average costs.

For an average-sized patio of 25 square metres with an average cost per metre of £102.50 you can expect to pay £2,560. You will need to potentially factor in an additional £40 per square metre if any groundwork or preparation needs to be done before the patio can be laid.

You may also require a skip to dispose of any waste materials from the groundwork which can cost on average £215 per week.

For decking, you can expect to pay £1,200 to £2,000 for the main decking material, plus labour of approximately £200 per person, per day. Additional costs you may need to consider are weed membrane material at £15 for 20 metres and decking treatment at approximately £30. If you require rails, balustrades and spindles these will also come at an additional cost.

As you can see the cost can really vary, so for an accurate cost guide, it is best to speak to a professional and get a quote.

Patio cost vs a deck – Getting a quote

If you’re weighing up the cost of a patio vs a deck, it will help to get a selection of quotes. We always recommend getting at least 3 quotes to make a fair comparison of price and service.

An easy way to get a quote is to request one by posting your job here and we’ll get 3 professional members to respond to you with their quotes. Alternatively, you can create your own shortlist of recommended local tradespeople by using our free search service.

FAQs

Is a deck or patio cheaper?

As you will have gathered from reading this guide, it really depends on a number of different factors. The base materials for a deck are cheaper than for a patio, but the size of your deck will determine the overall final cost.

The best way to find out for sure is to get a quote for both a patio and a deck based on your garden to get an accurate answer.