A well-designed decking area is a popular way to upgrade the garden and extend your living space outside. If you’re looking to find decking installers near you, we can help.
How to find decking installers near you
An outdoor decking area can transform any size of garden. Raised decks are versatile, can blend in with your garden and create the perfect spot for an alfresco tipple or two!
In most cases, it’s also quicker and cheaper to install than a patio.
Finding decking installers in your area is quick and easy with Checkatrade. Only trades who pass our quality checks and meet our high standards are on Checkatrade.
Short on time? Request a quote and we’ll get some of our approved members to contact you directly.
Your questions answered about decking installers near you
There’s quite a lot to consider when thinking about decking including design, material, location, and maintenance. An experienced decking fitter can help you create a decking zone you’ll enjoy for many years.
How much does it cost per square meter to install decking?
The cost of decking per m² ranges from around £80 - £100 per m² for softwood decking up to 15m². Hardwood decking is more costly with prices per m² around £120 - £140 for an area up to 15m².
At the other end of the scale, you could pay up to £100 - £120 per m² for composite decking for a job measuring up to 15m².
These figures include both supply and installation.
As a general rule, the bigger the area you want decked, the cheaper the costs per m².
So a space measuring (30 – 45m²) costs around £60 - £80 per m² for softwood decking, £100 - £120 per m² for hardwood decking and £80 - £100 per m² for composite.
Other factors affecting the cost of your garden decking:
- The size of the decking
- The design of the decking
- The complexity of the installation
- The decking material
- Your location
- Ease of access
If you’ve already bought the materials, what is the typical labour cost to lay decking in the UK? Well, most landscape gardeners charge somewhere between £260 - £340 per day.
If your landscaper works with a team, you’ll likely need to pay a similar day rate for each person.
But don’t worry, the more workers, the quicker your job will be completed. Depending on the size and style of your decking, as well as how many contractors are laying it, you can expect the job to take between 1-2 days.
The best way to get an accurate garden decking cost for your needs is to get a quote from deck builders near you. See the tradespeople we’ve checked and recommended for your job.
What timber is best for decking?
The number of outdoor decking products has grown considerably in recent years. However, most homeowners choose between softwood decking, hardwood decking and composite decking.
All have their merits, but your choice will depend on your available budget. As well as how much maintenance you are prepared to put in to keep the decking looking tip-top.
Softwood decking
- The cheapest option, mostly made of softwood timber such as pine or spruce
- Widely available and in stock at most suppliers
- Pressure-treating the timber helps to protect it from decay
- However, you’ll need to regularly maintain softwood decking to keep it looking good and safe to use
Hardwood decking
- Perfect for a high-end decking solution but will cost more.
- Can look naturally darker or more classic, and is available in smooth boards
- Hardwoods are usually dense, which makes them more dimensionally stable
- That said, you’ll still need to protect your decking with regular maintenance
- Remember to check that the timber is sustainably sourced as most hardwoods are imported
Composite decking
- Boards are typically made from a mix of (often recycled) plastics, sawdust and timber with a timber-effect grain on top
- This innovative material is practical and durable but will cost you more
- Composite is highly resistant to moisture, decay, rot and warping and often comes with a 25-year guarantee
- The result is a real statement with a long lifespan
What wood lasts the longest for decking?
Hardwoods such as oak, teak and iroko create beautiful and durable garden decks that will last longer than softwood decking.
However, hardwoods will cost you more because they come from slow-growing trees.
For all decking materials, the golden rule is: the more you care for your deck the longer it will last.
Wood decking materials should last 10-20 years but will depend on:
- Species of wood used
- Quality of wood
- Level of maintenance and care
- How often the deck is used
Oak is a popular decking material and probably one of the most affordable hardwoods. Teak is super durable and with a naturally high oil content that offers good protection from rot and insect infestation.
Ipe is another popular hardwood for decking because of its superior strength, durability and resistance to fire, moisture, insects and scratches. It is an endangered species though which makes it expensive.
How thick should timber be for decking?
Decking boards come in various thicknesses depending on what timber you want, the look you want to achieve and the size of your budget.
Typically timber deck boards are supplied in long lengths from 1.8m to 6.0m and range from 19-45mm in thickness.
Does decking add value to your home UK?
Yes, decking could add around 4.3% to the value of your home in the UK. However, exactly how much it will add will depend on the specifics of your decking and the property itself.
Things like the style of your home, the quality of your decking and the size of your garden will all play a part.
Can you install decking yourself?
If you’re a skilled DIYer who’s got a lot of handy experience, you may be able to install basic decking yourself.
However, most homeowners will be best served by using an experienced landscaping contractor.
The ground surface, materials and supporting frame must all be properly prepared to ensure the stability and longevity of your decking.
With that in mind, hiring an experienced deck builder near you is the best way to ensure that you don’t have to fork out for repair or replacement costs in the near future.
How do I find quality decking installers near me?
Your new decking area can become a statement focal point for the garden – and the perfect place to sit outdoors.
Here’s how to find the best local decking fitters near you and get the job right.
1. Use a professional directory/website
A great place to start your search is on Checkatrade.
We check and approve all our members, which makes it quicker and easier for you to hire high-quality tradespeople.
- You’ll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass our quality checks on Checkatrade. On average our trades score 9 out of 10 on everything from workmanship and reliability to tidiness
- We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.
2. Read online reviews
Reading a few online reviews is a great way to get further peace of mind before you hire.
Here at Checkatrade, we check and verify every review our members receive, giving you authentic testimonials you can rely on.
3. Ask for recommendations
Have friends or family enlisted the services of decking installers in the past? Ask around locally to see if anyone can recommend reliable decking fitters near you.
Don’t forget to look those recommendations up on Checkatrade!
Ready to get started? Enter your postcode to find professional deck builders near you: