Planning your decking project

Nail the design and fit of your decking project, and it can completely transform the look and usability of your garden. However, get it wrong, and it can easily become a decking disaster.

To help you get it right the first time, we look at the ten most common decking project mistakes. We also share an essential list of tools for a professional finish.

But first, let’s explore the pros and cons and the types of decking available.

Pros and cons of decking

Garden decking can divide opinion. Some homeowners love it – others loathe it. So, before embarking on a decking project of your own, weighing up the pros and cons is handy.

Pros

• Boosts the value of your home by between 3-4%
• Usually quicker and cheaper to install than a stone patio
• A great option for a sloping garden or an unused corner of a lawn
• Relatively straightforward to lay yourself with some good DIY skills and tools
• Can easily be refreshed with colour treatments or a jet washer
• Great for kids to play on when lawns are soggy and wet

Cons

• Wooden decking is notoriously slippy, so it’s worth investing in anti-slip designs
• To keep the decking looking fresh, you’ll need regular maintenance to remove algae and build-up of muck
• Decking loses its colour quickly, so be prepared to stain the wood regularly
• Can be costly depending on the materials you use and the size of the project

Types of decking materials

With a mind-boggling array of materials available, deciding what type of decking is right for your garden and budget can be confusing. Let’s look at the most popular types of decking and costs.

Softwood

• Most cost-effective option
• Easy to pick up in decent DIY stores
• When laid correctly and properly treated, it can have 15 years of life
• Prices are around £60 - £80 to supply and install a treated softwood decking area of 30 – 45m²

Hardwood

• Often made from iroko, balau, or ipe wood
• More expensive than softwood but has double the lifespan
• Achieves a sleek, quality finish
• Costs are around £100 - £120 to supply and install a hardwood decking area of 30 – 45m²

Man-made composite decking

• Made of wood dust and resin
• Has more grip compared to natural wood decking
• More durable and doesn’t require as much maintenance as natural wood decking
• UV stable, so it won’t warp in the sun or lose colour
• You could pay between £80 - £100 to supply and install a composite decking area of 30 – 45m²

Still unsure what style is right for you? Our cost guide, exploring the costs of composite versus wood decking, is a handy resource.

Top tip – Always check that your wooden decking material is from a sustainable source, especially for hardwoods. Your supplier should be able to provide certification of this. If not, look elsewhere.

Common decking project mistakes

Stories of fitting decking the wrong way up or building decking too small are ten-a-penny. So, before you start, it’s handy to take note of the common pitfalls of a DIY decking project – as chosen by our team of experts!

1. Too small ­

Lay out tables and chairs or other furniture you plan to use in advance to determine the decking size. Remember to give plenty of space to move around the furniture and extra room if you plan to fit lighting. Another top tip is to over-order by ten per cent to account for cutting and wastage.

2. Wrong way up

A trick of the trade is to lay the decking with the smooth side on show. Having the grooves below helps to improve circulation and stops the wood from rotting. 

3. The wrong direction

Most homeowners lay their decking in a uniform horizontal or vertical configuration. Why not go diagonal, zig-zag or circular for a more unique look that draws your eye into the garden? A professional garden landscaper will create a bespoke decking design if you’re not confident enough to take on the project.

4. Forget the walls

Decking isn’t just about the floors. For a streamlined design, consider running the same material vertically on walls or fencing. There’s plenty more design inspiration in our garden decking ideas article, too.

5. Don’t account for variables

The direction of the wood grain and straightness of natural wood decking can sometimes vary. It’s wise to marry up decking planks in advance.

6. Skip pest-proofing

Unfortunately, vermin (think mice and rats) are fond of building nests beneath decking. Don’t forget to close off the decking edges with mesh or chicken wire, then fit a wooden trim for a smart finish. You can also fill in the framework with hardcore or soil as an extra measure.

7. Use poor-quality screws

Always use galvanised or stainless steel screws. Otherwise, after just a few months of rain, you’ll see rust marks on your lovely new decking.

8. Fail to seal the deck ­

Tempting it may be to use the decking the moment the final nail goes in, don’t forget to factor in time to seal the deck. It weather-proofs and increases the durability of the decking.

9. Ignore the sun

If you’ve only recently moved into a home, live with the garden for a few seasons and learn where the garden catches the sun before installing decking. That way, you can position your decking according to whether you’re after a sunny terrace or a shady patio ­retreat.

10. Put safety last

If your decking is raised, you could have a fall or trip hazard on your hands. Raised borders and potted plants alongside the decking create a subtle barrier for small drops. For higher drops, consider decking balustrades or railings to make sure it’s safe.

Tool checklist

Are you all hands on deck and ready to build? Knowing what tools you need in advance is helpful. Your essential tool checklist should include:

• Screws
• Joists
• Carpenters square
• Nail gun saws (hand and circular)
• Framing hammer
• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• Weed membrane
• Power drill
• Chalk or builder’s line
• Concrete blocks
• Pencil sleepers, spacers, and shims if laying over a concrete patio

For more DIY tips, follow our step-by-step guide to laying decking in your garden.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

Cost for professional decking installation

Getting a spirit-level-straight design is harder than it looks. So, if you’re not a confident DIY-er, or don’t have the tools listed above, you might be better off hiring a professional garden landscaper to help.

Landscape gardeners charge between £260 - £340 per day. Depending on the size and style of your decking and how many contractors are laying it, the job can take between 1-2 days.

You can look into all the decking costs in our comprehensive cost guide.

How to hire a professional

Ready to find a landscape gardener to bring your decking project to life? Follow these three simple steps to speed up the process:

• Use a professional directory

Search with a professional directory (like Checkatrade!)

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.

• Read online reviews

Check what other homeowners say about garden landscapers before hiring them.

At Checkatrade, we check all online reviews to ensure they’re from real people and that trades meet our high standard.

• Compare quotes

We always recommend getting at least three quotes from reputable professionals. That way, you can be sure you’re not overpaying for the work.

Ready to find an experienced garden landscaper near you? Simply add your postcode to the box below to get started.

FAQs

Do you need planning permission to install garden decking?

Installing garden decking is considered ‘permitted development’ and you therefore won’t need planning permission as long as it meets certain criteria. These conditions relate to the size, height, and location of the decking. It’s always best to check with your local planning authority before starting work.

How do you maintain garden decking?

Regular brushing with a stiff bristle brush will help to keep your decking free of dirt, algae, and debris. In turn, this will ensure your decking doesn’t become slippery and dangerous.

Depending on what material your deck is made from, it may require a treatment every 2-3 years to stay looking its best. For hardwood decking, treat the timber once a year with a decking oil or stain to protect and enhance it.