Deck Builders Surfers Paradise

Residential and commercial decking around Surfers Paradise

Alongside home decks, we take on decking for managed and commercial properties: outdoor customer areas for cafes and retail, office break-out decks, body corporate common areas, and replacement decks on investment properties for landlords and property managers. Commercial work can be timber or composite, and is scoped and quoted the same way: measure, assess what is there, then a fixed written price.

Decking over a slab or membrane

A lot of outdoor areas in this part of the coast are concrete: a courtyard slab, a podium over a car park, or a tiled balcony. You can put decking over these, but you cannot fix a frame straight through a waterproof membrane without creating a leak. The usual answer is a low frame sitting on adjustable pedestals or packers, so the deck floats above the surface and water still runs to the drain underneath.

Before we quote this kind of job we want to know three things: where the floor waste is, how much height you have before the door sill, and whether the slab falls the right way. If the finished deck ends up level with or above the door threshold, water can track inside during heavy rain. On some balconies that leaves very little room for a frame, and a pedestal system with boards fixed directly is the only option that works.

Access to the drain

Whatever goes down, the drain needs to stay reachable. We normally leave a removable panel over the floor waste so you or the building manager can clear leaves without pulling up the deck.

Composite or timber for a small space

On a courtyard or balcony, composite tends to win. You are not oiling it every year, it does not grey off, and it does not leave tannin stains on the concrete or the neighbour's balcony below. The brands we mainly install are Ekodeck and Ezy Decking. Both come in a range of colours, and the darker ones get hot in full afternoon sun, so we usually suggest a mid tone for a west-facing space.

Hardwood still suits some jobs. If you want a natural timber look and you are happy to oil it, spotted gum or blackbutt on a small area is not a big maintenance commitment. You can read more on the composite decking and timber decking pages.

Body corporate and building rules

If you live in a unit or townhouse complex, check your by-laws before you get quotes. Many schemes need approval for changes to the appearance of a balcony or common property, and some have rules about the colour or type of flooring. It is much easier to sort this out first than to have a deck installed and then be asked to remove it.

We can provide a written scope, product data sheets and a drawing of the frame layout for your body corporate application. We do not apply on your behalf, but we will answer the committee's questions.

Getting materials up there

Access matters more than people expect. Composite boards come in lengths up to around 5.4 metres, and they do not fit in most residential lifts. On a high balcony we either order shorter lengths, which means more joins, or carry boards up the stairs. Both add time, and we price that in rather than surprise you later. If your building has a goods lift or a loading dock booking system, let us know when you ask for a quote.

Supply and install, or install only

Most clients have us supply everything, because we know what quantities to order and which clips suit which board. If you have already bought boards, or the building has a set product, we can install only. We will check the product, the fixings and the frame spec before we commit to a price.

What changes the price

• The board: treated pine is cheapest, hardwood and composite cost more. As a general guide, timber decking runs roughly $350 to $550 per m² and composite $450 to $700 per m² supplied and installed, depending on height, access, framing and finishes.
• The frame: pedestals over a slab cost differently to a timber subframe on stumps.
• Access: stairs, lift bookings and carrying distance all add labour.
• Edges and trims: a picture-frame border or fascia boards add material and cutting time.

Small areas often cost more per square metre because setting up, cutting and finishing edges takes about the same time no matter the size. The decking cost guide explains this in more detail.