Deck Building & Repair in New South Wales

Timber is cheaper to install but needs sanding, staining or oiling every 1-3 years. Composite costs 50-100% more upfront but only needs washing. Over 10-15 years the totals often converge, so the decision usually comes down to upfront budget and how much maintenance you will actually do.

Every 12-24 months for oil finishes and 2-4 years for film-forming stains, depending on sun exposure. Re-coating on schedule is the single biggest factor in how long the boards last.

Deck cost is driven by area, height off the ground, and material. Ground-level softwood decks are the cheapest; elevated decks need engineered footings and balustrades, and composite or hardwood boards can double the board cost. Most quotes are priced per square metre or square foot, with stairs, balustrades and lighting as line items.

If the frame (joists, bearers, posts) is sound, boards and balustrades can be replaced individually and the structure re-stained for a fraction of a rebuild. If posts are rotting at the base or the ledger connection to the house is corroded, replacement is usually safer and not much more expensive than piecemeal repair.

The most common residential decks fall between 12-25 m² (130-270 sq ft) — enough for a table, chairs and a grill. Costs do not scale perfectly with area: small decks carry fixed costs (access, footings, delivery), so price per square metre drops as size grows.

A simple ground-level deck takes 2-4 days. An elevated deck with footings, stairs and balustrades typically takes 1-2 weeks, plus any permit or inspection lead time before work can start.

It remains the most-quoted hardwood because of durability and price, but sustainability concerns push many builders toward Spotted Gum, Blackbutt or composite. Expect treated pine to be cheapest, Merbau mid-range, and Australian hardwoods or premium composite 40-80% above Merbau.