A new deck is one of the best ways to transform a muddy patch of grass into a usable outdoor living room. But before you start picking out furniture, you need to know if your dream project fits your budget.
At Joe's Fencing, we price decks every week across Bristol. While every garden is unique (especially with Bristol's famous hills!), we can give you a realistic guide to what you should expect to pay in 2025 for a professional installation.
The "Per Square Metre" Rough Guide
In the trade, we usually estimate based on the size of the area and the material chosen. These prices generally include materials, labour, and the all-important sub-frame.
1. Softwood Timber Decking (£140 – £200 per m²)
This is the most popular choice for homeowners looking for a cost-effective solution.
- The Look: Classic, natural wood warmth.
- The Cost Factor: The timber itself is affordable. The variance in price usually comes down to the complexity of the design (steps, handrails, or patterns).
- Maintenance: Remember, this option is cheaper upfront but "costs" you a weekend of oiling every year.
2. Composite Decking (£220 – £350+ per m²)
Composite is the premium option, made from recycled plastics and wood fibres.
- The Look: Sleek, modern, and available in colours like Charcoal, Grey, or Teak.
- The Cost Factor: The boards themselves are expensive (often double the price of wood). You also need special "hidden clips" for installation, which adds to the material cost.
- Value: You pay more now, but you spend £0 on stain for the next 20 years.
The "Bristol Factor": What Changes the Price?
If your garden was a perfectly flat concrete square, the pricing would be simple. But in Bristol, that is rarely the case. Here are the factors that will adjust your quote:
1. The Slope (Raised Decks)
If you live in Totterdown, Brislington, or St George, chances are your garden isn't flat. If we need to build a "raised deck" to level out a slope:
- Extra Timber: We need larger 6x2 or 8x2 posts to support the structure safely.
- Balustrades: If the deck is more than 600mm off the ground, Building Regulations require a safety rail. Glass or steel balustrades look amazing but cost significantly more than simple wooden spindles.
2. Ground Preparation
What is currently underneath the decking area?
- Grass/Mud: We need to dig off the turf, lay weed membrane, and put down gravel to stop weeds growing through the deck. This takes labour and skip space.
- Old Patio: If we can build over an existing solid surface, it saves time and money.
3. The Sub-Frame (Where You Shouldn't Skimp)
A deck is only as good as its skeleton. We often see cheap quotes where installers have used thin timber for the frame touching the mud.
- The Joe's Fencing Way: We use pressure-treated C24 structural timber for our frames and, for composite decks, we tape the joists to waterproof them. This adds a small amount to the cost but ensures the frame lasts as long as the fancy boards on top.
Example Project Costs
To give you a real-world idea, here are two typical projects:
The "Morning Coffee" Corner (12m² - Flat Ground) A simple softwood deck at the bottom of the garden for a table and chairs. Approx: £1,800 – £2,400
The "Entertainer" (25m² - Composite) A large grey composite deck directly off the back doors, with a small step down. Approx: £5,500 – £7,500
Is It a Good Investment?
Absolutely. A professional deck effectively adds a room to your house. Estate agents in Bristol consistently tell us that a usable "outdoor living" space is a top priority for buyers.
Want an exact figure? We can pop round, measure your space, and give you options for both timber and composite so you can compare the difference.
Featured Image Image [A graphic showing a price scale: One side showing a basic timber deck, the other showing a high-end composite deck with glass balustrades.] Image Alt Text [Cost of decking installation in Bristol timber vs composite prices] Tags Select Tags Decking Cost Garden Renovation Outdoor Living Composite Decking Pricing SEO Settings Meta Title Decking Installation Costs in Bristol: 2025 Guide Meta Description Planning a deck? We break down the costs of timber vs composite decking per square metre and explain the hidden costs of ground preparation.