How much does decking cost in Darwin?
A new deck in Darwin costs $180–$350 a square metre in treated pine, $300–$550 in merbau and $280–$700 in composite boards, supplied and built. A medium 25 m² hardwood deck comes to $8,000–$16,000. Composite is the material local searchers ask about most, and it suits a city where the boards face strong sun in every month and heavy wet-season rain. Separate houses make up 63.3% of Greater Darwin dwellings, below 72.3% nationally (ABS 2021 Census), and a courtyard deck behind a townhouse is a very different build from a deck off a high-set house.
Comparing cities, or after the Australia-wide picture? See the national guide: Decking cost in Australia.
Detailed Pricing — Decking Cost in Darwin 2026
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treated pine deck (per sqm) | $180/sqm | $260 | $350 |
| Hardwood deck — merbau (per sqm) | $300/sqm | $420 | $550 |
| Hardwood deck — spotted gum (per sqm) | $350/sqm | $480 | $600 |
| Composite deck (per sqm) | $280/sqm | $550 | $700 |
| Small deck (15 sqm, hardwood) | $5,000total | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Medium deck (25 sqm, hardwood) | $8,000total | $12,000 | $16,000 |
| Large deck (40 sqm, hardwood) | $13,000total | $19,000 | $26,000 |
| Deck steps (per step) | $180/step | $300 | $400 |
| Deck balustrade / railing (per lm) | $150/lm | $280 | $450 |
| Deck sanding + oiling (per sqm) | $25/sqm | $40 | $60 |
| Old deck demolition + removal | $20/sqm | $35 | $55 |
| Pergola over deck (basic timber or aluminium, about 4 x 4 m to 4 x 6 m) | $5,000total | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Deck stairs (per flight, installed) | $1,000installed | $2,000 | $4,500 |
| Elevated / high-set deck surcharge (per sqm) | $50/sqm | $100 | $180 |
| Deck re-oil only (clean + 2 coats, no sanding, per sqm) | $15/sqm | $30 | $45 |
| Hardwood deck — blackbutt (per sqm) | $330/sqm | $450 | $620 |
| Composite deck — premium capped / solid-core, Trex class (per sqm) | $450/sqm | $570 | $900 |
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Get Darwin quotes →Prices include GST. Based on Darwin metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
What Affects Decking Costs in Darwin
Composite boards in tropical sun
Standard composite costs $280–$700 and premium capped or solid-core boards $450–$900. They need no oiling and will not rot through a wet season, but dark boards can get very hot underfoot when October and November average 33.4 °C tops (BOM averages). Ask for a light-coloured sample, leave it in full sun for an afternoon, and check that the warranty covers fading.
Pine, merbau, spotted gum or blackbutt
Treated pine is the cheapest deck in our table, typically $260 a square metre. Among the hardwoods, merbau runs $300–$550, blackbutt $330–$620 and spotted gum $350–$600. Pine needs the right treatment grade for anything near the ground and steady sealing in humid weather; hardwood is denser and steadier, though every timber deck needs regular oiling.
Built for cyclone country
The Top End is naturally prone to tropical cyclones, and NT building codes require cyclone-resistant construction in cyclone-prone areas. For a deck that means engineered footings, bolted connections and tie-downs back to the house or into the ground, which can make the subframe a large share of the price. When you compare quotes, look at the fixings and the frame, not just the boards on top.
High-set homes and stairs
If the deck comes off a raised floor, expect an elevated or high-set surcharge of $50–$180 a square metre for taller posts and bracing. Steps cost $180–$400 each, a full flight $1,000–$4,500, and balustrading $150–$450 a lineal metre. Once the deck floor is more than a metre above the ground the building code expects a balustrade, so price it from the start.
Adding a roof
A pergola over the deck costs $5,000–$15,000. Under the NT Building Regulations, a freestanding pergola of up to 30 m² that stands at least 50 mm clear of the house and is not connected to it falls outside the regulations. A roof that keeps out the wind, such as solid sheeting, means it no longer counts as a pergola, while pergolas and shade structures appear on the NT permit table as needing a building permit, with some exemptions.
Oiling around the weather
Hardwood and pine decks need re-coating to keep sun and rain off the timber. A clean and two coats without sanding is $15–$45; a full sand and oil is $25–$60. Oil needs dry boards and a few days without rain, and June, July and August each average under 5 mm at Darwin Airport (BOM averages), which makes them the easy window.
Replacing a tired deck
Pulling up an old deck and carting it away costs $20–$55 a square metre. By size, a small 15 m² hardwood deck is $5,000–$10,000 and a large 40 m² one $13,000–$26,000. Before reusing any of the old frame, have the bearers and joists checked for rot and termite damage.
How to Save Money on Decking Cost in Darwin
Frequently Asked Questions — Decking Cost in Darwin
Our Methodology
These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no tradesperson can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →