Deck Building Cost on the Gold Coast and Logan (2026)

Quick answer: on the Gold Coast and Logan in 2026, a timber deck costs $350-$550 per square metre supplied and installed and a composite deck $450-$700 per square metre. These are general guides; elevated or complex structures may exceed them. GST treatment and all inclusions are confirmed in the quote. A 30 sqm deck therefore lands roughly between $10,500 and $21,000, before stairs, balustrades or a roof.

What is included in a deck price

A deck quote should describe both the boards and the supporting structure. Confirm footings, framing, connections and fixings, then check whether stairs, balustrades, removal, engineering and approval fees are included. The general square-metre guide is not an all-inclusive promise.

• Footings designed for the site, loads and relevant engineering requirements
• Framing materials and treatment selected for the design and exposure
• Joists at correct centres for the board type - composite usually needs closer centres than timber
• Connections and tie-downs specified for the actual wind classification
• Board fixing - top-fixed and countersunk, or a concealed clip system
• Balustrade to code where the deck exceeds 1 metre above ground
• Stairs with compliant going, rise and handrail

Cost by decking material

• Treated pine - quoted per job. Cheapest boards, needs regular coating, shorter life in coastal conditions
• Timber decking - general supplied-and-installed guide of $350-$550/m²; species, finish and structure confirmed in the quote
• Composite decking - general supplied-and-installed guide of $450-$700/m². Product, exposure and maintenance requirements matter
• Aluminium substructure upgrades - quoted separately for the site and design

What pushes a deck budget up

1. Height, area and design - these affect framing, barriers and approval requirements; do not assume a low deck is exempt
2. Sloping sites - very common through Mudgeeraba, Currumbin Valley and the Logan hinterland, where each footing is a different depth
3. Stairs - individually quoted for rise, width, materials and compliant details
4. Roofing the deck - priced separately, with approval requirements checked
5. Poolside compliance - pool barrier requirements, non-slip surfaces and the 1,100 mm non-climbable zone
6. Coastal exposure - stainless fixings and marine-grade hardware add cost but are non-negotiable near the beach or canals
7. Removing an old deck - demolition and disposal itemised separately

Timber or composite: the honest cost comparison

Compare initial construction costs and the care required for the selected product. Maintenance frequency depends on exposure and manufacturer guidance; we do not publish an unsupported lifetime saving. Timber offers a natural grain, while composite avoids regular timber coating but still needs cleaning and inspection.

Our full side-by-side is in the timber versus composite decking comparison, and the composite decking service page covers the systems we install.

Approvals for decks in Queensland

Approval is assessed from the complete design: height, area, roof, attachment, boundaries, site cover, overlays and any pool-barrier effects. Lowering a deck below one metre does not automatically make it exempt. Check the current City of Gold Coast building-approval guidance and have a private building certifier confirm the requirements before construction.

How to get a deck quote you can rely on

1. Confirm the board species or composite brand and profile by name, not 'hardwood'
2. Ask what joist centres are specified and whether they suit the board type
3. Confirm footing sizes and soil classification
4. Ask whether balustrade, stairs and handrails are included or excluded
5. Confirm fixing type - stainless in coastal zones
6. Confirm who obtains approval and whether the fee is in the price
7. Ask what finishing coat is applied and what maintenance is recommended