How much does decking cost in Gloucester?
Planning new decking or replacing old boards? Post the job for free and it goes to local carpenters and builders who cover your area. Only the one who takes it on gets your contact details.
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Decking
A deck is only as good as the frame under it. The joists need to sit on a firm, level base with posts or pads that won’t sink, and there has to be airflow and drainage underneath so the timber doesn’t stay wet. The boards on top, timber or composite, are the part you see, but the frame decides how long the deck lasts.
The scope depends on the size, the shape and the ground. A low deck on a level lawn is simpler than one on a slope that needs raising at one end. Steps, balustrades, built-in seating, lighting and taking up an old deck all add work.
Height matters for planning. Under permitted development rules, decking can usually go ahead without planning permission if it’s no more than 30cm above the ground, it covers no more than half the garden together with any extensions and outbuildings, and none of it is in front of the main elevation of the house. Those rights don’t apply to flats or maisonettes, and they don’t allow decking in the grounds of a listed building. Conservation areas and other designated land have tighter limits. If your deck does need planning permission, assume building regulations apply too.
If you’re not sure, check with your local council before work starts. The Planning Portal has guidance on decking.
What to include when you post
Photos and a few measurements let a carpenter judge the job before visiting.
- Photos of the area, including the wall of the house if the deck will meet it
- Rough length and width, and the shape you have in mind
- How much the ground slopes and how high the deck would sit at its highest point
- What’s there now: lawn, a patio, gravel or an old deck to remove
- Timber or composite boards, if you know
- Steps, balustrades, seating or lighting you’d like
- Any drain covers or manholes in the area
- How materials get to the garden: side gate, back lane or through the house
- Whether the property is a flat, listed or in a conservation area
Choosing a carpenter and what to ask
Ask how they’ll build the frame: what timber they use for the joists, how far apart they space them, and what the posts or pads sit on. Ask what goes underneath, such as a weed membrane or gravel, and how water drains away.
A written quote should cover ground preparation, the frame, the boards, fixings, steps and any balustrade. Check whether it includes taking up an old deck or turf and taking the waste away, as that is often left out. If you’re having composite boards, ask whether they’ve fitted that make before, because board warranties often depend on the boards being fitted to the maker’s instructions.
If the deck will be raised, ask whether they think it falls within permitted development, and check with your local council if there’s any doubt. Ask what guarantee they give on their own work.
Not quite the right job?
See every job on our Builder page, or post it anyway and describe it in your own words.
Before a tradesperson starts work
Registrations
Some work must be done by a registered professional. Work on a gas boiler, cooker or fire must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which you can check on the Gas Safe Register.
Our business check
Limited companies are checked with Companies House and sole traders upload their insurance certificate. Trade registrations are confirmed by the tradesperson when they sign up.
Get the price in writing
Ask for a written quote that sets out the work and the price before anything starts. Your contract for the work is with the tradesperson.
Questions
What people tend to ask before booking this job. For anything specific to your home, ask the tradesperson who takes it on when they get in touch.
Both work. Timber is the traditional choice and can be sanded and re-treated. Composite needs less upkeep but costs more to start with and some boards get hot in full sun. Ask the carpenter what suits your garden and how much maintenance you're happy with.
If the frame is sound, replacing the worn or rotten boards may be enough. If the joists are soft or the posts have moved, it's usually better to rebuild. A carpenter can check by lifting a board or two.
Usually not, if it's no more than 30cm off the ground, it covers no more than half the garden along with other extensions and outbuildings, and it isn't in front of the main elevation of the house. Different rules apply to flats, listed buildings and conservation areas. Check with your local council if you're unsure.
Often, yes, if the patio is solid and drains properly. The frame sits on pads or bearers rather than being fixed into the ground. Keep an eye on the finished height against the damp-proof course and door thresholds of the house.
Slippery decks are usually down to algae in damp, shady spots. Regular cleaning helps, and some boards have a grooved or textured surface for better grip. Good airflow under the deck and space between the boards also help it dry out.