You’ve seen the threads. Someone gets quoted close to ten grand for supply and fit and asks the obvious question: is that even normal? Hard to know, because half the quotes flying around have no breakdown of what you’re actually paying for. A cheap online board price and a proper all-in installation are two completely different numbers.
So here’s a straight one. What it costs, what the price should cover, and how to tell a fair quote from a thin one.
Call Seamus on 085 168 5170 for a free, itemised quote or message him on WhatsApp.
Decking Cost Per Square Metre
The number to compare quotes on is the per square metre price for supply and fit, including the subframe. Anything quoted “boards only” is hiding the half of the job that actually matters. Rough 2026 ranges in Ireland:
| Decking type | Per m² supply and fit (inc. subframe) |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated softwood | €120 to €160 |
| Hardwood (iroko, ipe) | €180 to €240 |
| Composite, standard capped | €190 to €250 |
| Composite, premium capped | €250 to €325 |
For a typical 20m² deck in a Louth back garden, that’s roughly €2,400 to €3,200 in softwood, or €5,000 to €6,500 for premium capped composite. Those figures assume a straightforward ground-level deck, no steps, no railings, reasonable access. Anything beyond that is costed separately and listed, never buried.
What a Real Price Includes
A proper supply-and-fit price covers the bits that decide how long the deck lasts, the bits cowboys leave off the quote:
- The structural subframe, ground-rated and built to drain
- Decking boards, fixed and finished
- Weed membrane under the deck
- Basic cleanup
Costed on top, and it should be on the quote from the start:
- Steps, which add real labour, roughly €300 to €800 per step run depending on width and material
- Handrails and balustrades
- Integrated lighting
- Skirting or fascia around the perimeter
- Removing and disposing of an old deck, itemised so you see it, not sprung on you at the end
How We Price: No Surprises
We don’t do the vague verbal estimate that quietly grows by the time the job’s done. After Seamus has seen the garden, you get a fixed, written, itemised quote. Boards, frame, steps, removal, all listed, so you can see exactly where your money goes.
If something turns up once we open the ground, a buried slab, a drainage issue, you’ll hear about it before we touch a thing. The price you agree is the price you pay.
Communication was fast, the quotation was clear and well priced, and the work was really tidy and well finished. Book them, you won’t be disappointed.
- Helen, via reviews
Why Composite Costs More But Often Wins
Composite is the dearer deck to put down and frequently the cheaper one to own. There’s no oil, no stain, no scrubbing algae, no replacing boards that failed. Timber costs less today and asks for upkeep every year or two. Cheapest on day one and best value over twenty years are rarely the same deck, especially in a north or east-facing Louth garden that gets little sun and stays damp. See composite decking and timber decking for the full picture.
Decking Cost FAQ
How much does decking cost in Dundalk?
The same drivers apply here as anywhere: board type, size, how level the ground is, and the steps and railings you want. A small ground-level deck is a modest job; a large raised deck on a slope is a bigger one. You get a fixed written quote after we’ve seen it, so you’re never guessing off a figure online.
Are there hidden costs with decking?
There shouldn’t be, and there won’t be with us. Everything’s itemised before we start. If a quote elsewhere looks suspiciously low, ask what’s left out, it’s usually the frame quality, the steps, or taking the old deck away.
Do steps and railings cost extra?
They add to the price because they’re extra labour and materials, but they belong on the quote from the start, not added at the end. Ours always are.
Why was I quoted nearly €10,000 for a deck?
For a large, raised or premium-composite deck, that can be a fair number. It can also be a thin quote with no breakdown. The way to tell is simple: get it itemised. If nobody will break the figure down for you, that’s the red flag, not the number.
Decking cost guides
Dig into the numbers before you commit:
- Decking cost per square metre in Ireland
- Decking cost in Dundalk
- Composite decking cost in Ireland
- Raised decking cost in Ireland
- Hidden decking costs to watch for
Get a Free, Itemised Quote
No vague estimates, no surprises. Call Seamus on 085 168 5170 for a free written quote, or message him on WhatsApp.