How to Quote a Deck Build in Australia
A deck looks like a simple rectangle of timber — until you're pricing footings, stairs and a balustrade. Here's how to quote a deck build so nothing's missed and your margin survives the job.
On paper a deck is a rectangle of timber. In practice it's footings, a substructure, boards, fixings, stairs and — more often than tradies expect — a balustrade and a council form. The quotes that lose money are the ones that priced the rectangle and forgot the rest. This guide walks through what a deck quote should cover, what materials and labour cost in 2026, and the mistakes that quietly eat your margin.
What a good deck quote covers
Before you put a number on anything, list every part of the build. A complete deck quote accounts for all of these:
- Site prep and excavation — clearing, levelling, and getting access for materials and spoil.
- Footings — concrete holes and stirrups, priced per post, not lumped into a rate.
- Substructure — bearers and joists, with the species, size and spacing spelled out.
- Decking boards — species, profile and fixing method (this is where the visible cost lives).
- Stairs and landings — almost always underquoted; give them their own line.
- Balustrade — required once the deck sits more than 1m above ground.
- Hardware — bolts, brackets, joist hangers and screws add up faster than most quotes allow.
Write the quote as line items, not one lump sum. It's easier to defend, easier to adjust when the customer changes the timber, and it stops small things like joist hangers disappearing into a round number.
Deck material costs in 2026
Timber prices move, so quote from current supplier pricing rather than last month's job. As a starting point for boards alone:
| Decking option | Board cost / m² | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Treated pine | $40–$70 | Budget builds and painted or stained finishes |
| Merbau (hardwood) | $80–$130 | The default Aussie deck — durable, rich colour |
| Composite | $100–$200 | Low-maintenance, no oiling, long lifespan |
The substructure — bearers, joists and footings — typically adds $60–$100/m² on top, depending on height and span. All up, a standard Merbau deck lands around $150–$250/m² in materials before labour.
Working out labour
A straightforward ground-level deck runs about 1.5–3 days per 10m² for an experienced carpenter. Price labour at $50–$90/hour, or as a fixed $80–$150/m² — but adjust for anything that isn't flat and simple.
- Multi-level decks, stairs and balustrades take far longer per square metre — don't blend them into the deck rate.
- Tight or sloping site access slows every material run; add hours for it.
- Cutting around trees, pipes or an existing structure eats time you won't get back.
Quote stairs and balustrade as separate line items. They're the most labour-intensive part of a deck and the first thing that gets underquoted when they're hidden inside a per-m² rate.
Council approval and compliance
Compliance is part of the quote, not an afterthought. Check the rules for the site before you send a price, because they change what you build and what you charge.
- Decks more than 1m above ground, or over a certain area, usually need council approval (a DA or CDC) — thresholds vary by state and council.
- A deck attached to the house may need engineer-certified connection details.
- Decks beside a pool must meet pool-fencing rules (AS 1926.1).
- If approval applies, put council application fees in as their own line so the customer sees they're a real cost, not your markup.
Common mistakes that eat your margin
- Forgetting timber waste. Allow 10–15% on decking boards for offcuts and board-length variation. Quote the exact area and you'll be buying the difference.
- Skipping the footings. Post holes and concrete are easy to leave out of a materials list — and expensive to absorb once the job's won.
- Underquoting stairs. They're slow and fiddly. Price them per flight as a separate item, never as part of the deck rate.
- Ignoring the fixing method. Hidden (concealed) fixing costs more in both clips and labour than face-fixing. Specify which you've quoted.
- Missing difficult access. A backyard you can only reach through the house adds hours to every stage. Walk the site before you price it.
Pro tips for a deck quote that wins and holds
- Measure the site yourself — never quote off the customer's numbers.
- Specify species, grade and profile in writing so there's no argument at handover.
- Include the 10–15% waste factor as a visible line, not a hidden buffer.
- Note whether council approval is required, and who's arranging it.
- Pull current timber prices the day you quote — they fluctuate more than most trades.
- Send a clean, itemised PDF the same day you visit; the fastest quote often wins the job.
ServiceYak keeps your decking, substructure and labour rates in a reusable kit, so you can build an itemised deck quote on site and send the PDF before you've left the driveway.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck in Australia?
A standard ground-level Merbau deck runs roughly $200–$350/m² supplied and installed. Composite boards, raised or multi-level decks, and stairs and balustrades push that higher.
Should I quote a deck per square metre or itemised?
Both. A per-m² headline is fine for the customer, but back it with line items for substructure, decking, stairs and balustrade. Itemised quotes are easier to defend and easier to adjust when the customer changes the timber.
Do I need council approval to build a deck?
Often, yes — typically once the deck is more than 1m above ground or over a set area, though thresholds vary by state and council. Check before you quote so approval costs and timeframes are built in.