Decks built from the frame up
A licensed carpentry contractor in Sydney for new decks, re-decks, repairs and oiling. We check what's under the boards before we price what goes on top.
Same courtyard, new deck
The old boards and the rotten frame under them came out. A new treated pine frame and deck went in.
After
Before
After
BeforeNot sure if it's the boards or the frame?
Tell us how big the deck is and what's wrong with it. We'll come and look underneath and tell you whether it's a repair, a re-deck or a rebuild.
New, re-deck, repair or restore
Most decks we see need one of four things. The first visit works out which.
New decks
Treated pine, hardwood or composite, framed to suit the span and the site. Where the block allows, we set the height so the deck doesn't need approval.
Re-decks and subframe replacement
When the bearers and joists have gone soft, new boards on the old frame won't last. We strip back, replace the frame with timber treated for its exposure, and re-board.
Deck repairs
Split or cupped boards, lifting nails, loose steps and soft spots, fixed with the frame checked at the same visit.
Restoration and oiling
A grey deck cleaned, sanded and oiled back to timber colour, with a re-coat schedule that suits how much sun it gets.
Why old decks fail from underneath
Most of the decks we replace didn't fail at the surface. The boards went grey, but the real damage was in the bearers and joists, out of sight and out of the sun.
Three things cause it. Posts set in the ground without in-ground (H4) treatment rot at the soil line. Frames built too close to the ground stay damp because air can't move underneath. And leaves packed between the boards hold water against the timber for months at a time.
The courtyard deck in the photos above is a typical case. The old frame came out, new treated pine bearers and joists went in, and the deck was re-boarded on a frame that will outlast the boards.
So we look under the deck before we quote. If the frame is sound, a repair or a sand-and-oil is the honest answer. If it isn't, re-boarding it means paying twice. Fencing, gates and the smaller outdoor jobs are covered under repairs and maintenance.
Most decks need no approval. Some need a lot.
NSW sets clear limits on what can be built without approval. Sydney Property Works Pty Ltd holds NSW Contractor Licence 492200C.
When no approval is needed
Under the NSW exempt development rules, a deck can go ahead without approval if it's 25 m² or less, its floor is no more than 1 m above existing ground, it sits at least 900 mm from the boundary and it's behind the building line. Across all decks and patios, the total is capped at 25 m² on lots up to 300 m², or 15% of the house's ground floor area on larger lots.
When it needs a CDC or DA
A deck that's bigger or closer to the boundary than those limits needs complying development through a private certifier or a DA through council. Heritage items, flood-affected land and bushfire-prone sites add conditions. We work out which applies before we quote.
Built low-set, under 1 m
We build ground-level and low-set decks with the floor under 1 m. That keeps most jobs inside the no-approval limits and below the height where the building code calls for a balustrade.
Licensed and insured
In NSW, deck work over $5,000 needs a licensed contractor. Over $20,000, Home Building Compensation cover is in place before work starts or a deposit is taken.
Inspect, quote, build
We price what's under the boards, not just the square metres on top.
Inspection
We check the boards, the frame and the clearance underneath, and whether the deck needs approval.
Written scope and quote
Timber, fixings, finish and any frame replacement set out in writing, so you can compare quotes like for like.
Approval, if needed
Most decks don't need it. Where one does, we arrange the certifier or lodge with council.
Build
Strip-out, subframe, boards, steps and edges, with the frame checked for level before the first board goes down.
Finish and handover
Oil or coating applied where it's in the scope, plus a re-coat schedule for your deck.
From the frame up
The courtyard re-deck from strip-out to boards, plus an oiled hardwood deck we built beside a pool.
Beyond the deck
Outdoor work rarely stops at the deck.
What does a new deck cost in Sydney?
Three things set the price: the timber, the size and the frame. Treated pine costs least, while hardwood and composite cost more. Size, access and steps add to it. For a re-deck, the deciding question is whether the existing frame can be kept. We quote each job after seeing it, with any frame work itemised separately.
Do I need council approval for a deck?
Often not. In NSW a deck can be built as exempt development if it's 25 m² or less, no more than 1 m above existing ground, at least 900 mm from the boundary and behind the building line, within the site-wide limits. We build low-set decks under 1 m, so the usual questions are size and boundary distance. Where a deck needs complying development or a DA, we check that at the inspection and arrange it.
Treated pine, hardwood or composite?
Treated pine is the lowest-cost option and needs regular oiling to stay stable in the sun. Hardwoods like spotted gum and blackbutt are denser and handle Sydney weather well for longer. Composite needs no oiling but gets noticeably hotter underfoot in summer, so lighter colours suit sunny decks. Merbau is popular for its colour but bleeds tannin onto nearby paving for the first few months.
Can you just replace the boards?
Sometimes. If the bearers and joists are sound, level and clear of the ground, new boards on the existing frame is the cheapest fix. If the frame is soft at the soil line or sitting in damp ground, new boards won't last, and we'll tell you that before you pay for them.
How often should a deck be oiled?
Most exposed timber decks in Sydney need re-oiling about once a year, and more often in full afternoon sun. To test it, sprinkle water on the boards. If it beads, the oil is still working. If it soaks in and darkens the timber, it's due.
How long does a deck take?
Approval is the variable. An exempt deck can start once the quote is accepted and materials are in. Complying development usually takes weeks and a DA takes months. The build time for your deck is set out in the quote.
Are you licensed and insured for deck work?
Yes. Sydney Property Works Pty Ltd holds NSW Contractor Licence 492200C. Jobs over $20,000 are covered by the Home Building Compensation Fund, arranged before any deposit is taken.
Tell us about your deck
Roughly how big it is, how high it sits and what's wrong with it. We'll come and look underneath before we put a price on it.
- Visit usUnit 5/49 Carrington Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
- Call us0404 767 374
- Email usinfo@sydneypropertyworks.com.au
- Opening hoursMon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sat: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Sun: Closed
Find out what's under your deck
We'll check the frame, tell you whether it's a repair, a re-deck or a new build, and put the price in writing.