If you have been pricing up a new deck, you will have noticed composite decking quotes vary wildly, sometimes by double for what looks like the same job. This guide breaks down what you should actually expect to pay per square metre in 2026, what drives the price up or down, and where it makes sense to spend or save.
For the boards alone, most composite decking in the UK sits between £40 and £90 per square metre. Budget hollow boards start around £30 to £45, mid-range solid or capped boards run £50 to £75, and premium co-extruded boards with woodgrain embossing can reach £90 to £120 per square metre.
For a fully installed deck, including the subframe, fixings and labour, a realistic range is £160 to £280 per square metre in the North West, with most straightforward ground-level jobs landing somewhere in the middle. A typical 20 square metre deck therefore tends to come in between £3,500 and £5,500, though every garden is different and access, levels and groundworks all move the number.
A proper quote covers far more than boards. The subframe usually accounts for a third or more of the total cost, whether that is treated timber joists, or aluminium framing which costs more upfront but will not rot. You should also see ground preparation, a weed membrane, fixings and hidden clip systems, fascia and trim boards, and waste removal itemised or at least accounted for.
This is where cheap quotes often unravel. A low headline price that skips proper ground preparation or uses undersized joist spacing will lead to bouncy, sagging boards within a few years. Composite boards need closer joist centres than timber, typically 300 to 400mm, so the subframe genuinely costs more to do correctly.
Site conditions matter more than most people expect. A flat, accessible garden with good drainage is the cheapest scenario. Sloping ground, raised decks needing structural posts and balustrades, poor access through a terraced house, or old concrete and tree roots to break out can each add meaningful cost. In older Bolton terraces with rear yards, access alone can add a day of labour.
Design choices also move the price. Picture-frame borders, contrasting colours, steps, integrated lighting and curved edges all add cutting time and waste. A simple rectangle laid parallel to the house will always be the most economical shape per square metre.
Softwood timber decking is cheaper to install, often £100 to £150 per square metre fitted, so the upfront saving is real. The difference shows over time. Timber needs sanding, staining or oiling every year or two, and even well-maintained boards in the damp North West climate typically last 10 to 15 years. Composite needs an occasional wash and most reputable boards carry 20 to 25 year residential warranties.
If you plan to stay in your home for more than five or six years, composite usually works out comparable or cheaper over its lifetime once you factor in maintenance materials and your own time. If you need the lowest possible cost today, or you are decking a rental you may sell soon, timber still has a case.
Measure your intended area, note any slopes or access issues, and ask for an itemised written quote that separates boards, subframe, groundworks and labour. Ask what joist material and spacing will be used, how the perimeter will be finished, and whether waste removal is included. Two or three like-for-like quotes will quickly show you what a fair local price looks like.
Be wary of any price given without a site visit. Photographs help with an initial estimate, but ground conditions, levels and drainage can only be judged properly in person, and they are exactly the things that cause quotes to change later.
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