Wooden Decking in Scottish Borders

Get Wooden Decking Prices in Scottish Borders

Trustpilot 4.5 stars
Home > Gardening & Landscaping Projects > Wooden decking > Scottish Borders

Wooden Decking in Scottish Borders

Wooden decking is an increasingly prevalent option for creating outdoor seating areas in gardens. Due to the natural beauty of wood, they can be very elegant areas which can be used year round by adding outside heating and light. Wooden decking is usually fitted in locations in front of patio or French doors where they can create a smooth transition between inside and outside spaces. Wooden decking is available in any size or shape to complement any area. Curved designs or large areas connected by pathways can create a stunning effect. Wooden decking is reasonably simple to install and causes little disruption, especially in comparison to alternatives like patio or paving. It can even be installed over the top of an existing patio. It is necessary however to make certain that your wooden decking is structurally sound and capable of taking the load of any furniture or plants that you want to use on the decking. There is a choice of species of wood that can be used in wooden decking. Typically decking is made of hardwood, but there are softwoods available that fulfil the durability specifications. As hardwood decking will demand maintenance, which usually requires yearly cleaning and staining for weather proofing, composite woods have become more popular for use in wooden decking because they are more robust and require much less maintenance.

Average Wooden decking cost in Scottish Borders

The typical cost of Wooden decking is £1500. Costs can change based upon the materials and the firm hired. The upper price range can be as high as £1725. The material costs are commonly approximately £375

Average price per Wooden decking job in 2025

Avg. price low

Avg. price low
£613
Avg. price

Avg. price
£1,025
Avg. price high

Avg. price high
£1,363

£1500

£1125

£750

£375

£0

Prices based on actual Wooden decking costs for Scottish Borders, as reported by local LeadsDoWork members.

Wooden decking installation cost in Scottish Borders 2025

Labour cost £1,050
Material cost £375
Waste removal £75
Time frame: 1-4 days

Wooden decking searches in March 2025

Wooden decking Projects in Scottish Borders in February 2025

1,632

Requests for quotations in Scottish Borders in February 2025

0

Requests for Wooden decking quotations in Scottish Borders in February 2025. 0% change from January 2025.

0

Requests for Wooden decking quotations in Scotland in February 2025. 0% change from January 2025.

Source: Numbers calculated based on the search volumes in major search engines

Wooden decking searches in cities and towns near Scottish Borders February 2025

Wooden decking near you

Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders is one among Scotland's thirty two council areas and it's located close to Edinburgh, and also the counties of South Lanarkshire and West Lothian. Having the 6th largest land area in the country and a populace of 112,900, this particular region only has a density of 24 people each km squared. Within the Scottish Borders are the towns of Selkirk, Earlston, Hawick, Kelso and Walkerburn.

Looking for Wooden decking in Scottish Borders?

Get free quotes from local carpenters

Get free quotes

Similar Customer Enquiries for Wooden decking in Scottish Borders

27 Jul

Garden | Decking

Halmyre Mains - EH46

Enquiry from: Karen C

Start Date: Immediate

Decking

Post a similar request >

08 Apr

Garden | Decking

Galashiels - TD1

Enquiry from: Colleen W

Start Date: Immediate

brushes need removed lots of shrubbery been cut down and needs removed. also looking for potentially getting fences fixed and decking done property type: semi detached do you have a: medium size garde...

Post a similar request >

17 Mar

Garden | Decking

Melrose - TD6

Enquiry from: Lisa B

Start Date: 1 to 3 months

Flat decking laid, fence moved and extended Are you the property owner: Owner of the property Property Type: Semi detached What level of service do you require: Supply and deck Time scale: 1-3 months...

Post a similar request >

Local & reliable carpenters near me

Tell us about your wooden decking project

Answer a few quick questions, so we can match you with local carpenters who can help.

Find up to 4 carpenters in Scottish Borders

Get free, no-obligation local wooden decking quotes from 4 verified carpenters working in Scottish Borders.

Hire with confidence

Compare customer reviews, services and prices, and choose the right tradesperson for you.

Our reviews

Average

Would highly recommend

Would highly recommend, they found me a firm which I was happy with a quote they give me and went ahead and had my job done within 2 days of enquiring.

Good easy way to find a selection of…

Good easy way to find a selection of trades you need all in one place.

Love LeadsDoWork it's a big part of my …

Love LeadsDoWork it's a big part of my Business I would recommend to anyone

FAQs

How to build a raised deck?
Building a raised deck will take some time and is trickier than laying standard decking at ground level, but if you want to build decking on a slope or uneven ground it’s the best way to do it. If you do your research and follow instructions, you and a friend or family member can build a raised deck over a few days. Here’s a simplified guide of the steps you’ll need to take. Plan carefully It’s best to plan your raised deck by drawing it to scale on paper before you go and get supplies. This will help avoid wastage and making more cuts to timber than necessary. Prepare the area Prepare the area according to the instructions we give in the FAQ ‘How to lay decking’. However, because you’re building a raised deck, you’ll need to add posts:
  1. Place a post in the corner of the frame you created with the pegs and string. Measure and mark out 100mm from each side.
  2. Dig out this soil to a depth of 700mm (watch out for cables or pipes). You should have a 300 x 300mm hole. Repeat for the other 3 corners.
  3. Using a brick bolster, split a concrete block in two. Put a section of the block in each hole.
  4. Get a length of post longer than you need and place one in each hole. You can cut it down later.
  5. Create props on each post to hold them in place until you’re ready to add a cement mix. Check that they’re level. When you’re happy that they are, secure them in place with a concrete mix, making sure you create a slope in the concrete so that rainwater runs away from each post. When the concrete is set, remove the props.
  6. Create a string line around each corner post and find the centre point between each. Place a timber batten at each point, ensuring that they’re not spaced any more than 1500mm apart.
Make the outer frame
  1. Working from the corner where the deck will be at its highest above ground level, measure and mark on the post where the highest part of the frame will be.
  2. Measure from the far side of one post to the opposite and cut sections of joist to size. Line up a piece of joist with the mark you made and temporarily secure it. Factor in a 2mm fall for every metre of decking so rainwater can run off.
  3. Secure the frame to the other corner post, ensuring it’s at the right level. Do this for every side of the outer frame.
  4. Using 100mm coach screws with washers hanging on the end, secure each end of the four sections of frame.
  5. Mark out where the centre of the support posts will be and secure all of these posts to the frame, except the centre post.
  6. Add your central support joists. These should run in the same direction as the deck boards will run. You’ll need to measure from the inside of the frame on one side to the inside of the frame on the opposite side. Attach the joist in the same way as you did for the other posts. Repeat so the centre post is in between two sections of frame and secure the posts with concrete.
  7. Trim down all the posts to the correct height using a saw.
  8. Add your weed-control fabric and weigh down with gravel across the entire area.
Add your joists
  1. Measure 400mm from the centre of the outer frame and mark a line. This will be where the first joist is positioned. Repeat at 400mm intervals down the length of the frame – if the last one will be more than 400mm, add another joist to create enough support.
  2. Attach a joist hanger to each end of the joist.
  3. Place the joist in position so the centre lines up with the 400mm spacer mark.
  4. Secure using external grade screws once you’re happy that the joist is flush with the frame.
Lay your decking boards Refer to our FAQ on how to lay decking to see how you should attach your decking boards. Remember: Always treat cut ends and pilot holes with decking preservative to keep your decking in good condition for as long as possible. Building a raised deck isn’t a straightforward task. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, get a range of quotes to help you get the best price and a high quality finish.
How to build decking on a slope?
You might think that building decking on a slope is a no-go, but it’s actually a great way to help you make use of your garden when the ground is sloping. It will provide you with a level surface that you can BBQ on as well as dine alfresco without finding that your meal is rolling down the table. But how do you build decking on a slope? Our guide in the FAQ above, ‘How to build a raised deck’, is the perfect solution – but we’ll break it down here if you just want to get an idea of what’s involved. Dig out the area If you’re laying on soil or turf, you’ll need to dig it out. Dig down and remove all the turf from the area and ensure that there are no weeds or stones in the area you’re going to build your decking on. Since you’re building on a slope, it will be hard to get it level, but dig out to a depth of 50mm and lay weed-control fabric with gravel over the top. Add posts and set with concrete Make holes for posts and add them in, ensuring they’re longer than you need. Make sure they’re level, then fill the holes with a concrete mix to set them in place. Build the outer frame Make sure you always work at the top of the slope when you’re building your decking, and measure where the highest point of the decking will be. Secure the 4 sides of the outer frame and factor in a 2mm fall for every metre of decking so rainwater can run off. Add joists Secure joists along your frame at 400mm intervals. If you get to the last joist and there will be more than a 400mm gap left at the end, add in an extra one for support. Lay your deck boards Screw your deck boards to the joists, ensuring that the deck boards are running in the opposite direction to the joists. For timber boards, you need to make sure you leave an expansion gap of 5-8mm. These steps should give you an idea of whether you want to have a go at building decking on a slope, or whether you want to leave it to the pros.
How much decking do I need?
How much decking you need will – of course – depend on how big you plan your deck to be. There is an equation to help you work out how many deck boards you need. It’s a little complicated until you’ve been shown how it works, but once you know how to do it it’s easy to work out how much decking you need for any project. The equation takes into account the recommended 10% wastage and includes the expansion gaps that are required, which is between 5-8mm along the length of the deck boards (EGL, or expansion gap length) and 3mm along the ends of the deck boards (EGW, or expansion gap width) for timber. It also assumes you’re laying your decking horizontally, as if you’re looking for a diagonal or chevron design you’ll need more deck boards. Let’s go through an example, assuming you have a 10m x 6m area that you want to cover with decking made from timber boards that are 2.4m long and 144mm wide. We’ll use the EGL of 5mm and EGW of 3mm.
  1. Calculate the surface area for your decking Multiply the length (L) of your decking area by the width (W): L x W = Decking Surface Area (DSA) in m2 10 x 6 = 60m2
  2. Work out the coverage of your deck boards Add your deck board width (DBW) to the expansion gap length (EGL), then add the deck board length (DBL) to the expansion gap width (EGW). Then multiply these numbers. (DBW + EGL) x (DBL + EGW) = Single Board Coverage (SBC) 0.144m + 0.005m = 0.149m 2.4m + 0.003m = 2.403m 0.149 x 2.403 = 0.358m2
  3. Calculate the number of deck boards you need Multiply the SBC by 1.1 to allow for 10% wastage. Then, divide the DSA by the SBC. DSA / SCB x 1.1 = Total number of boards required 60m2 / 0.358m2 x 1.1 = 184.36 boards – so round up to 185 so you’re not left short.
If that all seems a bit complicated for you, let a professional do the maths – they will be able to give you an idea of how much decking you’ll need in no time.
How to fit composite decking?
Fitting composite decking is similar to installing timber decking, but there are some small differences in terms of the gaps you need to leave between boards and the screws you use. We’ll go through a quick guide to show you the process involved in fitting composite decking so you can decide whether it’s something you want to do yourself. Prepare the area Prepare the area according to our instructions in the previous FAQs – or you can use an existing patio or concrete base if you have one. Measure and mark out the area using chalk (if using an existing base). Assemble the decking frame Build the outer frame as we show in our FAQs above; if the area you have planned is longer than your joists, you’ll need to join them together. When you’ve built the frame and it’s secure, ensure that it’s at the right level for water runoff and add risers, slabs or treated off-cuts of timber at 500mm intervals if you need to. Add joists The spacing of your joists will depend on the type of design you have chosen for your composite decking. If you’re laying arched boards horizontally, you’ll need to space the joists 300mm apart. Lay your composite decking boards
  1. If you’ve not got an overhang or it’s a fixed deck, fit starter clips along the outside edge of the frame and secure with screws provided with the composite decking. If you are working with an overhang, put the first board into position not exceeding 25mm. If you’re adding a fascia, put an off-cut of board under the overhang so you know it’ll be flush with the fascia.
  2. Pre-drill all fixing points, measuring in 30mm from the edge of the board. Secure the board to the joist below with composite decking screws.
  3. Slide a hidden fastener clip in so it sits within the groove of the deck board. It needs to be in the centre of the joist to keep the boards secure and ensure an expansion gap of 6mm. Tighten the clips until just tight, and repeat so there’s a clip at every joist.
  4. Add the next board, ensuring that the fastener clips sit within the groove – make sure you don’t force it. Repeat step 3.
  5. Continue steps 3 and 4 until you’re at the final board, which you should secure in the same way as you did the first.
Add a fascia board If you’re adding a fascia, measure in 40mm from each end and add two guide marks: one at 40mm from the top and the other at 40mm from the bottom. Connect the marks, then mark at 300mm intervals down the board. Drill pilot holes, then put the fascia board into position. You need to make sure that there’s a 40mm ventilation gap between the bottom of the fascia and the ground. Ask someone to hold the board level until you’ve finished securing it with composite decking screws; you can get colour-matched ones so they don’t look unsightly at the end of your decking. Not so sure you want to carry out such a big project yourself? Get quotes from decking pros who will be able to fit composite decking much more quickly and easily.
Placholder Image

Other Top Projects in Scottish Borders

Related Projects

Customer Reviews

Overall rating:


Scottish Borders Wooden decking installers are rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 5 reviews of 63 pros.
The LeadsDoWork rating and review is an overall rating based on verified reviews and feedback from the customers with Wooden decking projects that have been connected with Wooden decking pros to help them. All Wooden decking contractors All Scottish Borders Wooden decking contractors

Useful Wooden decking Links

Are you a carpenter in Scottish Borders?

We can help you get more wooden decking work with our qualified job leads and boost your business.

Join today