How it's done
How Long Does It Take to Build a Deck?
A small, low garden deck on level ground is usually a matter of days rather than weeks. Raised decks, sloping ground, awkward access, steps and balustrades all add time, and the exact timing for your garden goes on the written quote.
Before booking a deck most people want to know how long the garden will be out of action. The honest answer is that the build time depends far more on what is under the deck and how materials reach the garden than on the boards you pick.
This guide breaks a decking job into its stages and explains what makes each one quicker or slower. It reflects how we build decks across London and Hertfordshire with our own team.
The stages of a deck build
Almost every deck goes through the same stages. The order does not change much; the time each stage takes does.
- Clearing and preparing the ground, including weed membrane and drainage
- Setting the supports: concrete set posts or post anchors
- Building the frame: bearers and joists, levelled and spaced for the board
- Laying the boards with the correct gaps and fixings
- Fascias, steps, balustrades and edging
- Clearing the site and taking waste away
What makes a deck quicker
A low deck on firm, level ground next to the house, with side access for materials, is the quickest kind of build. The frame sits close to the ground, there are few supports to set and there is nothing to cut around. Simple rectangular shapes are faster than decks with angles, curves or built in features.
What makes a deck take longer
Raised decks need more supports, deeper bases and more careful levelling, and they usually need steps and a balustrade. Sloping gardens mean the frame changes height as it goes. Poor ground, buried rubble or old concrete add preparation time. Where there is no side access, every board, bag of concrete and length of timber has to come through the house, which is slow however careful everyone is.
Built in benches, planters, lighting cut outs and picture frame borders all add time too, although they are often what makes a deck feel finished.
Does the board type change the time?
A little. Softwood and composite are both quick to lay once the frame is right. Composite usually needs closer joists and specific fixings, so the frame takes slightly longer. Dense hardwoods such as Balau and Ipe are harder to cut and are usually pre drilled, which makes laying slower than softwood.
Weather and curing
Concrete around posts needs time to go off before a frame is loaded onto it, and heavy rain can stop work on the ground for a day. Frost affects concrete work in winter. Decks can be built at most times of year, but a wet spell may push the finish date back a little, and we would rather do that than rush a frame.
How we set the timing
On the free site visit we look at the ground, the height, the access and the design, and the written quote sets out what will be built. That is the point to talk about dates and how long the job will run, and anything that could affect it, such as clearing an old deck or patio first.
Frequently asked
How long does a small deck take to build?
A small, low deck on level ground with good access is usually days rather than weeks. We confirm timing after the site visit.
Does a raised deck take longer?
Yes. Raised decks need more supports, deeper bases, steps and often a balustrade, all of which add time.
Can you build a deck in winter?
Often, yes. Frost and heavy rain can pause concrete work, so winter builds may run a little longer.
Do I need to be home while the deck is built?
Not all the time, but we need access to the garden and, if there is no side access, through the house.
Does removing an old deck add time?
Yes. Taking up and clearing an old deck or patio is an extra stage and is set out in the quote.
Want this priced properly for your garden?
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification, and a fixed price. No obligation.