Brett Field
A new ground-level deck on the Gold Coast costs about $175 to $590 per square metre installed in 2026, depending on the timber. That puts a typical 20 m2 hardwood deck at roughly $6,000 to $12,000 before stairs and balustrades. Raised decks cost more.
Below are the per square metre prices for each material, what stairs, balustrades and approvals add, and how long a deck takes to build. These are market prices from cost guides, checked on 4 October 2026. They are not a quote from us.
How much does a deck cost per square metre?
These are What's The Damage's 2026 estimates for the Gold Coast. They include supply, installation and the frame (bearers and joists), but not stairs or balustrades.
| Decking | Range per m2 | Typical per m2 |
|---|---|---|
| Treated pine | $175-$345 | $255 |
| Composite | $275-$540 | $440 |
| Merbau | $295-$540 | $410 |
| Spotted gum | $345-$590 | $470 |
National guides quote lower. Canstar and Yellow Pages start treated pine at about $200 per m2, hardwood at about $320 and composite at $350 or more. Going Rate (June 2026) says most Australian decks cost $200 to $350 per m2.
Brisbane prices run higher. Sparky's September 2026 guide puts an installed Brisbane deck at $250 to $700 per m2, all in.
How much does a 20 or 30 m2 deck cost?
Using the typical Gold Coast rates above, here is roughly what the deck itself costs. Stairs, balustrades and approvals come on top.
| Decking | 20 m2 | 30 m2 |
|---|---|---|
| Treated pine | About $5,100 | About $7,650 |
| Composite | About $8,800 | About $13,200 |
| Merbau | About $8,200 | About $12,300 |
| Spotted gum | About $9,400 | About $14,100 |
A 20 m2 deck is about 4 by 5 metres, enough for an outdoor table and a barbecue. Not sure which timber to choose? Our decking timber guide compares them for Gold Coast conditions.
How much more does a raised deck cost?
According to What's The Damage, decks more than 1 metre off the ground need more substructure, more posts and often engineering. Its Gold Coast table adds $49-$175 per m2 for a deck built high off the ground, typically $98. Raised decks also need building approval (see below), and a balustrade.
Footings are a big part of it. Sparky's Brisbane guide puts concrete footings at $200-$400 each, and screw piles at $150-$300 each. A sloping block or poor soil means more of them.
What do stairs and balustrades add?
Most per square metre prices leave out stairs and balustrades, so add them on.
| Item | Gold Coast (What's The Damage) | Brisbane (Sparky) |
|---|---|---|
| Deck steps | $175-$390 per step, typically $295 | - |
| Timber balustrade | $145-$180 per metre | $200-$450 per metre |
| Stainless wire balustrade | $200-$300 per metre | $350-$700 per metre |
| Glass balustrade | Often above $440 per metre | $280-$425 per metre (frameless) |
The two guides are far apart on wire balustrades, so get it priced for your deck. What's The Damage's example: a 24 m2 deck with three steps and eight metres of balustrade adds roughly $3,100 at typical rates.
What else pushes the price of a deck up?
- Pulling out the old deck. $20-$54 per m2 on the Gold Coast, typically $34 (What's The Damage).
- Approval and certification. About $700-$1,500, depending on the certifier and the job (What's The Damage).
- Height and slope. More posts, deeper footings and engineering.
- Timber choice. Spotted gum costs more than merbau or pine.
- Being near the beach. Within five kilometres of the surf, fixings should be 316 stainless steel, which costs more than galvanised.
- Extras. A roof, built-in seating, lighting or a pool fence that needs changing.
You can see decks we have built, from pool decks to timber stairs with wire balustrades, in our recent work.
Do I need council approval for a deck on the Gold Coast?
Usually, yes. The City of Gold Coast says a deck needs building approval unless it is smaller than 10 m2, less than 1 metre high and meets all building requirements. Our guide to council approval on the Gold Coast covers decks, pergolas and patios, and who gives the approval.
Does my deck need a balustrade?
Yes, if someone could fall 1 metre or more from it. Under the National Construction Code, the balustrade must be at least 1 metre high above the deck floor, and the gaps must stop a 125 mm ball from passing through. Our guide to balustrade height rules in Queensland covers stairs, wire and glass too.
How long does it take to build a deck?
One Gold Coast cost guide (What's The Damage) puts a typical deck at five to ten working days, spread over two to three weeks once weather and concrete curing are allowed for. If the deck needs building approval, add the time that takes before work can start.
With us, you get a timeline with your proposal, before any work starts. More on what we build is on our deck building page.
Where do these prices come from?
Checked on 4 October 2026: What's The Damage (2026 Gold Coast estimates), Canstar, Yellow Pages (2026), Going Rate (June 2026) and Sparky (September 2026, Brisbane). Rules from the City of Gold Coast, the Queensland Building Regulation 2021, the QBCC and the National Construction Code 2022. The 20 and 30 m2 totals are our sums from the typical rates. We will check the prices again every three months.
See our decks and patios work, or check what your job will cost.
