Decking Construction in South East Queensland

Generally yes for decks over 10m², attached to the house, over 1m above ground, or with a roof. Most residential decks in SE QLD require a building approval. We identify this at the onsite inspection and include the approval coordination in our quote.

The coastal SE QLD climate is tough on timber — UV, humidity, and salt air. Premium hardwoods (spotted gum, blackbutt) perform very well with annual oiling. Premium composite (Trex, Modwood) requires zero maintenance and carries 25-year warranties — ideal for low-maintenance coastal lifestyles.

Installed prices range from ~$150/m² for treated pine through to $500+ for premium elevated composite decks. We provide fixed-price written quotes — no m² rate guessing.

If you love the look and feel of real timber and are happy to oil it annually, hardwood is exceptional. If you want zero maintenance and don't mind slightly higher upfront cost, premium composite delivers a better long-term value proposition. We'll help you compare at the inspection.

A standard residential deck (30–60m²) typically takes 5–10 working days from start to finish, including subfloor framing, decking and balustrading. Larger or more complex decks take longer.

In SE QLD's conditions, annual oiling is our recommendation for hardwood decks. Some hardwoods with natural oil content (merbau) can stretch to 18–24 months between oiling in covered locations.

Yes. Pool surrounds require careful timber selection (species resistant to pool chemicals, slip-resistant profile) or appropriate composite specification. We design pool decks regularly and understand the specific requirements.

Any deck over 1m above the adjacent surface requires balustrading compliant with AS1657. Balustrades must be at least 1m high with no openings larger than 125mm (for child safety). We design and build compliant balustrades as part of every elevated deck.

Yes. We build decks at any height — ground level, split level, elevated off high-set homes. Higher decks require more structural engineering, deeper footings and more extensive subfloor framing — all factored into the quote.

A properly built and maintained hardwood deck should last 25–40 years. The key factors are correct species selection, correct clearance above ground for airflow, and regular oiling. Neglected hardwood decks deteriorate much faster.

Yes. We can replace individual boards, rebuild subfloor framing, replace balustrading, and completely rebuild existing decks. We inspect, advise on what's worth keeping, and quote accordingly.

Yes. Most decks are attached to the house via a ledger board bolted to the house frame. This requires correct flashing and waterproofing detail — critical for preventing moisture ingress. We follow correct structural attachment practices on every job.

Yes — for larger landscaping projects we offer a landscape design consultation where we discuss your goals, style preferences, budget, and maintenance expectations before any work begins. We provide concept plans and staged project options so you know exactly what you're getting. For smaller jobs like turf installation or garden maintenance, detailed design isn't necessary and we'll discuss your preferences on-site.

In Queensland's climate, we most commonly install Sir Walter Buffalo (excellent shade tolerance, soft underfoot), Zoysia (fine leaf, great for high-traffic areas), Kikuyu (fast growing, drought tolerant, suits sunny yards), and Couch (excellent for sports and active families). The best choice depends on your sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and intended use. We'll recommend the right variety during your consultation.

New turf needs to be watered 2–3 times daily for the first 2 weeks to establish roots. After that, reduce to daily watering for week 3, then every 2–3 days from week 4. Your first mow should be around 3–4 weeks after installation when the grass is firmly rooted. We'll give you a full aftercare guide with every turf installation.

Yes — we build timber sleeper and concrete block retaining walls for residential and commercial properties. Properly engineered and installed timber sleeper walls last 20–30 years. Concrete block walls have an even longer lifespan. All our retaining walls over 1m high are engineered and comply with Queensland council requirements. We obtain any necessary permits as part of our service.

Yes — we offer ongoing garden maintenance plans that can be tailored after a landscaping project or for any existing garden. Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly visits covering lawn mowing, edging, weeding, pruning, mulching, and seasonal planting. A well-maintained garden looks dramatically better and the investment in landscaping lasts much longer with regular care.

Yes — poor drainage is a very common Queensland problem, especially after heavy rain. We provide drainage solutions including surface channel drains, agricultural drains, dry creek beds, and reshaping of ground levels to direct water away from homes and structures. Fixing drainage also dramatically improves lawn health and reduces mosquito breeding. We assess drainage as part of any landscaping consultation.

A full garden makeover for a standard residential property typically takes 2–5 days. This includes clearing, soil preparation, edging, planting, mulching, and lawn work. Larger projects with retaining walls, paving, or irrigation can take 1–3 weeks. We always provide a clear timeline before starting.

Yes — we design and install automatic irrigation systems for lawns, garden beds, and vegetable gardens. A properly designed irrigation system saves water (often more than a manual watering routine), ensures consistent coverage, and can dramatically improve lawn and garden health in Queensland's dry seasons. We offer both in-ground pop-up systems and drip irrigation for garden beds.

In Southeast Queensland, the cooler dry months of April–September are ideal for most landscaping work — planting new gardens, laying turf, building structures, and major soil work. Summer (November–March) is fine for maintenance and some planting but the wet season can affect concrete pours and some installations. We work year-round and will advise on timing during your consultation.

We handle smaller tree and shrub removal as part of landscaping projects. For larger tree removal or trees near structures and power lines, we coordinate with licensed arborists. Stump grinding can be arranged as part of any job. We'll be upfront about what we can handle in-house versus what requires a specialist.