Decking in Sydney (2026)
In Sydney the deck itself is often the cheap part, and the sandstone it has to sit on is what moves the quote.
| Decking boards (140mm hardwood) | 35 lengths | $1,663 |
| Joists | 15 | |
| Bearers | 4 | |
| Posts / footings | 10 | |
| Decking screws | ≈840 | |
| Substructure & fixings | $1,482 | |
| Installation labour | $3,840 |
or from $33/week over 5 years , indicative finance
How we estimate this
The number of decking boards depends on your deck area, board width and the gap between boards. This calculator allows ~10% for cutting waste and works out the supporting joists, bearers and posts as well.
Pricing reviewed: June 2026.
What a decking costs in Sydney
A great many Sydney decks are built on sloping bushland and harbour-fringe blocks where a sandstone shelf sits close to the surface, so footings mean rock-boring or engineered posts rather than a simple auger hole, and that is where a flat-looking job gains cost. Tight terrace and inner-west access limits how much can be delivered to the back of a property, and some apartment and terrace decks need strata or neighbour sign-off before a board is cut.
Sydney carries the highest trade labour rates in the country, so the build component of a deck quote runs above every other capital for the same scope. Eastern and northern-beach decks sit in salt air that rewards marine-grade fixings and a durable hardwood or capped composite, and the city's high tip fees make demolition of an old deck dearer than it looks. The spread between a basic ground-level deck and an elevated one over rock is wide here.
Compare against the national picture: Decking in Australia →
Decking in other cities
Frequently asked questions
How many decking boards do I need?
It depends on the deck size, board width and gap. As a guide, 140mm boards with a 4mm gap cover about 7 lineal metres per square metre. The calculator works out the exact count plus waste.
How far apart should deck joists be?
Joists are commonly spaced 450mm apart for residential decks, closer for some composite boards. Always check the board manufacturer’s span requirements and Australian standards.
How much does decking cost per square metre?
Decking typically costs $200–$350 per square metre installed in 2026, depending on material. The calculator separates materials, substructure and labour.