How Much Does a Deck Cost on the Gold Coast? (2026 Pricing Guide)

"What does a deck cost?" is the question we're asked most. Deck pricing comes down to three things: the material, the height, and the extras. Here's how it generally breaks down on the Gold Coast in 2026.

Price per square metre, installed

• Treated pine: roughly $450–$700/m² — the budget-friendly workhorse. Fine structurally, but as a decking surface it needs more maintenance in coastal conditions.
• Merbau: roughly $600–$900/m² — the value hardwood. Durable and termite-resistant.
• Spotted Gum / Ironbark: roughly $750–$1,100/m² — premium Australian hardwoods that handle salt air brilliantly and age beautifully.

We specialise in timber decks, so timber is what this guide covers. Not sure which species suits your site? We compared them head-to-head in our guide to the best decking timber for Gold Coast homes.

What moves the price up

• Elevation. Once a deck leaves the ground it needs engineered footings, stronger framing, stairs and compliant balustrades — elevated decks typically cost 30–50% more than the same deck at ground level.
• Balustrades: roughly $250–$600 per lineal metre depending on material — timber, aluminium or glass.
• Approvals and engineering. Elevated and larger decks often need building approval — as a rough planning allowance, certification and engineering commonly run $1,500–$4,000, though only a private building certifier can confirm what your project needs. Our approvals guide explains how the process works.
• Site access and ground conditions. Sloping blocks, tight access and rock all add labour.

Worked examples

• 20m² ground-level treated pine deck: roughly $9,000–$14,000
• 25m² ground-level Merbau deck: roughly $15,000–$22,500
• 30m² elevated Spotted Gum deck with stairs and balustrade: roughly $30,000–$45,000 including approvals

The cost that matters more: the substructure

Most of the failed decks we're called to repair didn't fail on top — they failed underneath. Undersized joists, wrong fixings and poor drainage kill decks years early on the coast. We build substructures with hot-dipped galvanised or stainless fixings and proper ventilation as standard, because a deck is only as good as its bones. Salt air makes this non-negotiable — it's the same story we see across all coastal home maintenance.

Repair or rebuild?

If you have an existing deck, don't assume it needs replacing. We restore decks — new boards over a sound frame, targeted structural repairs, sanding and oiling — for a fraction of rebuild cost, and we'll tell you honestly which route your deck deserves.

Get a fixed price for your deck

Send us your rough dimensions and a couple of photos of the space, and we'll give you a free, itemised quote for your new deck or deck restoration — materials, labour, approvals and timeline, all in writing.