Decking Cost Ireland
A typical deck in Ireland costs between €80 and €220 per square metre, supply and fit, depending on whether you choose timber or composite. That range is wide enough to be almost meaningless on its own, and that’s exactly the problem. Quote two contractors for the same garden and you can end up with figures €1,500 apart, both claiming to be reasonable. The gap rarely comes down to the boards themselves. It comes down to what’s underneath them, and what’s included in the number you’re being handed.
Before you start collecting quotes, it helps to know what you’re actually comparing.
What Affects the Price of a Deck in Ireland?
The cost to lay decking moves on a handful of factors per square metre, and most homeowners only ever hear about one of them: the board.
Size cuts the other way to what people expect: decks under 10 square metres often run close to double the per-metre rate of a larger job, since delivery and subframe costs get spread across less area. Material adds its own gap, treated softwood at the lower end, composite higher, sometimes double.
Access and ground matter more than either. Narrow side access means carrying boards by hand instead of delivering straight to the deck, which alone can push two quotes on the same footprint €1,000 to €2,000 apart. Rock changes everything too. Sloped or heavy ground, common enough across Clare and Galway that we price it in from the start, pushes the job toward ground preparation costs (covered below). A raised deck needs a stronger subframe and, often, a handrail.
The climate adds one more layer: damp, freeze-thaw winters and moisture that never clears a shaded garden affect which material holds up, not just what it costs to install.
How Much Does Timber Decking Cost in Ireland?
Treated softwood is the standard choice for Irish gardens, and for good reason: it’s the lowest-cost option and, installed properly on a solid subframe, gives you a durable deck without a large upfront spend.
Supply and fit for treated timber typically runs €80 to €130 per square metre. For a common 20m² deck, that puts the realistic project cost at roughly €1,600 to €2,600, before steps, handrails or ground preparation are added.
The trade-off is maintenance. Timber needs oiling or staining every year or two to keep its colour and stop it turning grey, and in a damp Irish garden, an unmaintained deck is prone to moss, rot and a slippery surface within a few years. That upkeep is the real cost of choosing timber, not the price on day one.
How Much Does Composite Decking Cost in Ireland?
Most homeowners who choose composite are paying to never oil, stain or sand a deck again. That’s the whole trade. Composite boards are made from a mix of wood fibre and plastic, which gives them strong resistance to rot, no need for staining, and far better stability in wet ground than solid timber.
Supply and fit for composite decking typically runs €150 to €220 per square metre. A 20m² composite deck installation usually lands between €3,000 and €4,400, again before extras.
The price premium buys you decades rather than years. Most composite decking projects carry a manufacturer warranty, and the finish holds its colour and grip through Irish winters in a way treated timber can’t match without constant upkeep. Over a 15 to 20 year period, composite usually wins on total cost, not just on convenience.
What Do Steps, Handrails and Extras Add to the Price?
The €/m² figures above assume a straightforward, flat deck with no extras. Most real gardens need at least one of these, and each one moves the quote:
| Add-on | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Steps | €300 to €800 per step run, depending on width and material |
| Handrails or railing | Priced separately from the deck area, cost varies with material and length |
| Removal of old decking | Flat fee on top if replacing an existing deck rather than building on bare ground |
| Ground preparation | An additional €50 to €100 per m² on sites with poor drainage, uneven ground, or a slope, common enough across the West of Ireland that it shouldn’t come as a surprise on your quote |
Fascia boards, finishing details and any aluminium or composite subframe upgrade will also affect the final number, though these tend to be smaller line items compared to the ones above.
Supply Only vs Supply and Fit Decking Costs
This is the distinction that causes the most confusion when comparing quotes. Supply-only pricing covers the boards and subframe materials alone, with installation charged separately or left to a tradesperson you source yourself. Supply and fit is the all-in figure: materials, subframe, labour and finish.
When you’re comparing two quotes, check which one you’re looking at. A supply-only price that looks cheap next to a supply and fit quote isn’t actually cheaper, it’s incomplete. Supply and fit is the real deck installation cost, the number to use for a fair, like-for-like comparison, and it’s the figure most homeowners actually need to budget accurately.
VAT on decking installation in Ireland is not straightforward, and the rate your contractor applies depends on the job. Supply and fit decking on a private dwelling generally falls under construction services on private dwellings, which qualifies for the reduced 13.5% VAT rate under Revenue guidelines. However, Revenue applies a two-thirds rule: if materials make up more than two-thirds of the VAT-exclusive job value, the entire job reverts to the standard 23% rate. Composite decking in particular is material-heavy, and depending on board specification and labour involved, a real project can tip either way.
The practical point is this: always ask your contractor which VAT rate applies to your specific job and confirm whether the quoted figure is VAT inclusive or exclusive before you compare two prices side by side. Do not assume 23% and do not assume 13.5%. The rate depends on your project’s materials-to-labour ratio, and your contractor should be able to tell you which applies.
What Should a Fair Decking Quote Include?
A vague total tells you nothing about what happens if the ground turns out worse than expected, or if the steps you assumed were included weren’t. Look for:
| Check for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Board type and brand | So you can judge quality rather than guessing |
| Subframe specification | Affects both stability and lifespan |
| Ground preparation, included or costed separately | Avoids a surprise add-on later |
| Steps, handrails and accessories itemised | Stops costs being folded into a vague lump sum |
| VAT inclusion stated clearly | Already explained above, but easy to miss on a quote |
| Project timeline, including groundwork days | Shows whether the schedule is realistic |
A quote missing most of these leaves too much to chance once the crew is on site.
Book a Decking Consultation
The best way to get an accurate price for your new deck is to have an experienced team assess your garden, ground conditions and the type of outdoor space you want to create.
At Elm Landscaping, we’ve been designing and building high-quality decking, patios and gardens across Clare, Limerick and Galway since 2008. Every project is different, and factors such as site access, levels, drainage and material choices all influence the final cost. That’s why we provide clear, itemised quotations based on your specific requirements rather than rough estimates.
Book a Decking Consultation with our team to discuss your project, find out what your deck will actually cost, or book a visit to our Ennis showroom to explore materials and design options before any work begins.
