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Cost guide · Updated July 2026

Deck building cost in NZ

Published guides put basic timber decks at roughly $300 to $600 per square metre and hardwood or composite decks at $600 to $1,000+ per square metre, with labour typically 30 to 50% of the total.

Written by The Contractor Hub.

Indicative ranges

Basic timber (pine) deck$300 to $600 / m²
Hardwood (kwila) or composite$600 to $1,000+ / m²
Builder's labour$80 to $120 / hr

Indicative only, compiled July 2026 from the published New Zealand guides listed below. Treat these as a sanity check, then get written quotes.

What moves the price

  • Height matters: decks over 1.5 m generally need a building consent, plus balustrades. Budget for both.
  • Ground conditions and piles are the invisible cost. A sloping site can double the substructure.
  • Composite costs more up front and less every year after; hardwood needs oiling to keep its colour.

Common questions

Do I need consent for a deck?

Generally not below 1.5 m high (check your council's rules); above that, yes, and the balustrade rules apply either way once there's a fall risk.

Pine, kwila or composite?

Pine is the budget workhorse, kwila the classic look with maintenance, composite the low-maintenance premium. Price the ten-year cost, not just the build.

Sources

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