Common questions
Do I need council approval for a deck?
Usually yes. In Brisbane, anything more than a metre above ground, anything attached to the house, and most roofed structures need building approval. Character, heritage and flood overlays tighten it further. We check your specific property before quoting and include the whole approval process in the price — you don’t lodge anything.
How long from signing to finished?
Roughly six to eleven weeks all up. Engineering and certifier approval takes three to six weeks and is mostly waiting, then the build itself is two to five weeks on site. If you want it for Christmas, sign by about September.
What does a deck cost per square metre?
Built and approved, $450–$740 per m² depending on the timber and how high it sits. A low deck in merbau is at the bottom of that; composite boards on a 2.5m-high frame with glass balustrade is at the top. Height matters more than most people expect — bigger footings, posts, bracing and compliant balustrade.
Timber or composite?
In Brisbane we lean timber for anything in full sun — composite gets genuinely hot underfoot on a February afternoon. Composite is excellent under a roof, around a pool, or for anyone who won’t realistically oil a deck every second year. It costs about 25% more up front and nothing thereafter.
How often does a timber deck need oiling?
Every 18 to 24 months in this climate if you want to hold the colour. You can also let hardwood silver off naturally and just wash it — structurally it’s fine, it’s purely a look. Merbau needs doing annually for the first couple of years because it bleeds tannin.
Can you build over an existing concrete slab?
Yes, and it’s often the cheapest way to get a deck. We fix battens to the slab and deck over the top, provided there’s fall away from the house and we can maintain airflow. If the slab holds water we’ll fix the drainage first — decking over a wet slab just hides the problem.
Will a pergola keep the rain off?
No, and that catches people out. Open battens filter sun and look great, but you’ll still get wet. If you want to use the space in a Brisbane wet season you want an insulated roof or Colorbond. A common compromise we build: cover two thirds, leave one third open.
What warranty do I get?
Seven years on our workmanship, plus QBCC home warranty insurance on anything over $3,300, plus the manufacturer’s warranty on composite boards or roofing products. We also come back at the twelve-month mark to re-tighten fixings after the timber has finished moving — that visit is free.