Looking to Build? Reach out to us today!
Looking to Build? Reach out to us today!
Having a deck built is a great way to improve your home. It’ll expand your functional living space and give you plenty of reasons to spend more time outside.
It’ll also increase your home’s value and may even make it more likely to sell in the future. That said, if you’re like most homeowners, the cost of home improvement projects is a major consideration regardless of the ROI they may bring.
In truth, decks come in a broad range of prices. If you want to build a deck in Canberra, several variables will factor into the overall cost. Read on to learn more about some of the main considerations and how they can affect your final price.
Materials are one of the most significant expenses for decking Canberra. Several options are available, including basic timber, hardwood, composite, and aluminium. Each one has its own price points, benefits, and downsides.
Aluminium decking in Canberra has been gaining popularity lately. It’s a long-lasting material that’s resistant to damage and corrosion. It’s usually coated in special materials that help prevent colour fading, scratches, and other problems as well. Aluminium decks also require little maintenance.
On the downside, aluminium is one of the more expensive materials for decks. It can cost upwards of $200 per square meter, which is far more than basic timber and a bit more than low-end composites.
Still, it comes with few ongoing maintenance costs, which could help offset the upfront price over the long term. Aluminium also tends to retain heat, so your bare feet may not enjoy it after several hours of direct summer sunlight.
Standard timber, which is usually pressure-treated pine for decks, is one of the least expensive alternatives. It costs about $160 per square meter. Hardwoods fall on the higher end of the price spectrum at about $280 per square meter though that price can vary depending on the wood you choose. Some are certainly more costly than others.
Timber decks are beautiful, and they can fit in with many styles of homes. They can also be finished in a variety of colours for even more variation.
On the other hand, they require a great deal of ongoing maintenance. UV radiation, dry weather, extreme temperatures, and seasonal temperature fluctuations tend to take a toll on them. With that being the case, their long-term costs are higher.
Composite decks can be costly. Depending on the brand you choose, you may pay anywhere from just over $150 per square meter to well over $350. These decks are incredibly hardy, though, and they require virtually no maintenance.
Although you’ll pay more upfront for them, you won’t have any ongoing costs to worry about moving forward.
Composites come in a variety of styles and colors, so you’ll have a great deal of design flexibility if you choose these materials. Today’s versions don’t warp, crack, or fade the way those of the past did.
They don’t hold heat, and in contrast to timber, they’re not vulnerable to termites and other pests.
Additionally, the size of your deck will affect its price. After all, the bigger your deck is, the more materials it’ll take, and the more labour it’ll require.
Deck builders charge less for small, simple decks than they do for large, elaborate ones. Don’t base your deck on this factor alone, though. You don’t necessarily want to sacrifice square footage and functionality for a lower price.
Having extra features added to your deck can drive up its cost as well. Stairs, a roof, a firepit, or a pergola are a few examples in this arena. Of course, if you want to add an entire outdoor kitchen or a hot tub to your deck, those features will cost even more.
On the other side of that argument, the more features you include when you build a deck in Canberra, the more use you’re likely to get out of the space. As a result, they could be well worth the added investment.
If you’re looking for more functionality without a great deal of added expense, you could choose a few high-priority features in the beginning and add others later on.
In addition to those other factors, exactly where you choose to have a deck built can influence the cost. If your deck builders in Canberra don’t have a lot of room to work with while constructing the deck, they may have to charge more for labor.
That’s also the case if you have hardscapes, a garden, or other features they have to work around.
Several factors can affect the cost of having a new deck installed. Materials are among the most significant costs, but you shouldn’t necessarily choose the cheapest material to help save money.
That could ultimately cost you more in the long run. The size and complexity of your deck and the features you include will affect its price as well. Still, that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice the features and square footage you want to lower your costs. If you want to learn more, check out our guide for Canberra decking.
Where you have the deck built will also enter the mix. You could potentially compromise on the exact position of the deck to reduce labour costs.
When you work with a professional deck builder in Canberra, you can get the most value for your money and make the most of your new deck.
If you're looking to build a new deck in your Canberra home, reach out to our team at Elevated Concepts today.