Decking is one of the most popular additions to Irish gardens, and the price range is wide enough that it is worth understanding what you are actually comparing before you start collecting quotes. A cheap-looking online figure and a professional all-in installation price are very different things. This guide gives you a realistic breakdown of what decking costs in Ireland in 2025, what the price includes, and how to compare quotes properly.
Decking Cost Per Square Metre
Decking is priced per square metre for supply and install, including the subframe. This is the number to use when comparing quotes. Prices in Ireland in 2025:
| Decking type | Price per m² (supply and install, inc. subframe) |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated softwood timber | €80-€120 |
| Hardwood timber (iroko, ipe) | €120-€180 |
| Composite (standard range) | €150-€200 |
| Composite (premium capped boards) | €200-€275+ |
For a typical 20m² deck in a County Louth back garden:
- Pressure-treated timber: €1,600 to €2,400
- Composite (standard): €3,000 to €4,000
- Composite (premium): €4,000 to €5,500
These figures assume a straightforward ground-level or low-level deck with no steps, no handrails, and reasonable access. Additional features are costed separately.
What Is Included in the Price?
A proper supply-and-install price should include:
- Subframe (the structural timber frame that the boards sit on)
- Decking boards, fastened and finished
- Any weed membrane under the deck
- Basic cleanup
What is typically extra:
- Steps (each step adds significant cost due to the labour involved)
- Handrails and balustrades
- Integrated lighting
- Skirting or fascia boards around the perimeter
- Removal and disposal of existing decking
Steps in particular can add €300 to €800 per step run depending on the width and material. Always ask whether steps and railings are included when comparing quotes.
Timber vs. Composite: The Real Cost Comparison
This is the question most homeowners in County Louth ask when planning a deck.
Timber decking costs less upfront. Pressure-treated softwood is the most common choice in Ireland and, installed correctly on a good subframe, will last 10 to 15 years. The downside is maintenance. Timber needs cleaning and treating with decking oil or stain every one to two years to stay looking good and to prevent the surface from going grey and eventually cracking. In Ireland’s damp climate, algae growth on timber is common and the surface can become slippery if not maintained.
Composite decking costs more upfront but significantly less over time. A good composite deck requires little beyond an annual clean with soapy water. It does not need oiling, staining, or treating. It will not warp or splinter. The better boards have good slip resistance when wet, which matters in Ireland’s climate. Most quality composite boards carry a 25-year structural warranty. Over a 20-year period, the total cost of ownership is often lower than timber once maintenance is factored in.
Our honest recommendation for most customers in County Louth: if budget allows, composite is the better long-term choice, particularly for north or east-facing gardens that get less sun and dry out more slowly.
What Affects the Final Price?
Size and shape. A simple rectangle is the most cost-effective deck to build. Curved edges, angled boards, notching around posts or structures, and multi-level designs all take more time and add to the cost per square metre.
Height. A ground-level deck on level ground is straightforward. A raised deck on a sloped garden requires more extensive framing, longer posts, and potentially bracing or foundations, all of which push the cost up.
Access. As with any outdoor project, limited access (through the house, narrow passages, difficult parking for a van) adds time and cost.
Ground preparation. Some sites need levelling, drainage work, or excavation before the frame can go in. If the ground is uneven, damp, or previously had a concrete slab, preparation costs may apply.
Existing decking removal. Removing and disposing of old decking and posts takes time and requires skip hire. Get this included in the quote or ask for a separate figure.
Raising the Deck Off the Ground
Any deck more than 600mm above ground level in Ireland should have edge protection and may require planning permission in some cases. If you are planning a raised deck that significantly changes the profile of your garden or could overlook a neighbouring property, it is worth checking with Louth County Council before starting.
For low-level decks up to 600mm high with no overlooking issues, planning permission is generally not required.
Maintenance Costs to Factor In
If you choose timber decking, budget for:
- Annual cleaning: €0 to €100 DIY, or €150 to €300 professionally done
- Decking treatment oil or stain every 1 to 2 years: €50 to €150 in materials
If you choose composite decking, the ongoing cost is minimal: an annual scrub down and occasional hosing off.
Getting a Quote
Before contacting contractors, it helps to have:
- Approximate dimensions of the deck you want
- A sense of what material you are considering
- Clarity on whether steps or handrails are needed
- Knowledge of any access constraints on your property
At Gardening Services Dundalk, Seamus and Pete have been building decks across County Louth for over 35 years. We give all-in quotes that include the subframe, boards, and any steps, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Contact us here for a free quote on decking in Dundalk, Blackrock, Carlingford, Ardee, or anywhere across the county.
For more on decking, see our composite decking guide, how to clean decking, and our decking service page.
