06/09/2026
ADMIN delete if not allowed - just sharing some local trade insights! 🛠️
Ever wonder if saving a few thousand dollars upfront on a new deck actually saves you money in the long run?
In my 10 years of building decks here in QLD, this is the #1 question I get. I want to share a real story about a client from 11 months ago that perfectly answers this.
But first, let’s look at the upfront costs for a standard 12 square meter deck (based on current Bunnings retail prices for the boards only):
-Pine decking (The Budget Option): Around $4.50/lm. Total board cost: ~$600
-Hardwood/ Merbau (The Middle Road): Around $5.72/lm. Total board cost: ~$755
-Composite/WPC or ekodeck (The Premium Option): Around $18.19/lm. Because you need specific spacing and factor in wastage, total board cost: ~$2,259
At those numbers, Pine seems like the obvious value winner, right?
Here is where the "Boomerang Effect" comes in…
🌲 Pine: Cheap and fast to build, but highly porous. In the harsh QLD sun, it opens up, warps faster, and drinks paint or oil. You realistically need to oil it every 6 months.
🪵 Hardwood: Looks stunning when laid. Needs oiling every 6–12 months. If you neglect it, restoring it to a pristine condition costs a fortune. Plus, hardwood takes longer to lay (bending timber back into shape), which can mean higher labor costs on larger decks.
🪵 Composite: Much higher upfront cost. It requires a stricter frame underneath, specialized fastening systems, and clever planning for expansion and contraction. But... it looks exactly the same 10 to 20 years down the track with zero oiling.
Back to my client from 11 months ago...He commissioned me to build a massive outdoor makeover, a huge pine deck, gazebos, retaining walls, the lot. By choosing pine over composite, he saved about $3,300 upfront.
Last week, I went back to his place to replace a warped board under warranty (the first 2 pics- but hey! wood is a natural product, it happens!).While I was there, he told me he just paid a painter $6,000 to oil the pine deck and gazebo. Because it’s pine in the QLD sun, he will have to repeat a version of this maintenance routine constantly to keep it alive. 😔That upfront $3,300 saving evaporated on his very first maintenance bill.
The Takeaway?There is no "wrong" choice, but "value" isn't just the price tag you pay on day one. It's the time and money you spend over the next 10 years.
👇 What would you choose for your backyard? Upfront savings or zero maintenance? Let me know in the comments!
👍 If you found this breakdown helpful, give our page a Like and Follow! We regularly share honest advice, building tips, and photos of our local projects.(Note: Prices stand for the retail cost of planks only, not structural timber or fasteners).
Let me know what your interest in lifestyle choices outside. This will help me with my next informative post to help you save money
