How much does hardwood decking cost?

In short: an Ipe decking board of 21 x 140 mm costs about £14.60 for 120 cm, £18.10 for 150 cm and £21.70 for 180 cm, with hidden clips and screws included. That works out at about £82 per m² for the boards. Add 5% for offcuts and you are at roughly £86 per m². Joists, posts and weed membrane come on top; the decking calculator works out the full list. Delivery is free from £4,300, otherwise £250, and takes 7 to 14 working days. Prices November 2026; UK prices move slightly with the exchange rate.

How to work out the price per m²

A board is 140 mm wide with an 8 mm gap between boards, so you need about 6.8 boards across every metre of deck. Per square metre that gives:

So the board length hardly changes the price per m². Choose the length that suits your design. Short boards are straight, easy to carry and click together at the ends with a tongue and groove joint.

Worked examples

What else to budget for

• Joists: one every 40 to 45 cm, ideally Ipe joists, so two timbers that move differently are not working against each other.
• Foundations: on soil or lawn you need posts under the frame; on a balcony or roof terrace the joists sit on rubber pads, see balcony decking.
• Weed membrane under the deck.
• Oil is not needed for Ipe to last 25+ years, but keeps the colour and the wood more stable. See decking oil.

Why Ipe looks dear but is cheap per year

Softwood and most composite boards cost less per m² than Ipe. But Ipe is durability class 1 and lasts 25+ years, even without maintenance. Spread £86 per m² over 25 years and you pay about £3.50 per m² a year. A deck that starts to rot or splinter after a few seasons usually costs more per year.

Fit it yourself or hire a contractor?

With the hidden clip system most people lay their own deck: slide the clip into the groove, screw it down, click the next board in at the end. That saves the labour cost. If you hire a landscaper, ask for a quote based on the material list from the calculator. Our guides on hidden deck fixings, the gap between decking boards and how to calculate decking take you through it.

See every size and wood species in our hardwood decking range.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Ipe decking cost per m²?

About £82 per m² for 21 x 140 mm boards with clips and screws, or about £86 with 5% for offcuts. Joists, posts and membrane are extra.

How much does a 20 m² hardwood deck cost?

About £1,720 for the Ipe boards with clips and screws, plus joists, foundations and £250 delivery.

Is Ipe decking more expensive than composite?

Per m² usually yes, per year usually not. Ipe lasts 25+ years without maintenance, about £3.50 per m² a year.

How much is delivery?

Free from £4,300, otherwise £250. Delivery to the UK takes 7 to 14 working days.