A wooden deck turns a bare patch of garden into a place for family meals and Sunday braais, but timber outdoors needs good building and regular care. HandymanService.co.za is a free quote-request service for South Africa. Tell us whether you want a new deck, a repair or a sand and seal, and we pass the request to independent carpenters and handymen who quote you directly. We do not do the work and we never give prices. There is no fee and no obligation to accept a quote.
Timber or composite decking
The material sets the look, the upkeep and how long the deck lasts.
- Treated pine: affordable and widely available. Needs regular sealing in strong sun.
- Hardwoods such as balau: dense, durable and attractive, but heavy to work and costly to source.
- Composite boards: a mix of wood fibre and plastic that resists rot and borer, with less upkeep. They can run hot in direct sun.
Ask where the timber comes from and whether it is treated for outdoor use. Cheap untreated boards rot and attract borer in a few seasons.
Building a deck that lasts
A deck is only as good as its frame. Posts need solid footings, usually concrete, and the joists must be treated and set level with a small fall so rainwater runs off. Stainless steel or coated screws resist rust, which matters near the coast and around pools. Leave small gaps between boards for drainage and expansion.
Raised decks and those attached to the house may need approved plans under the National Building Regulations, and balustrades must meet safety rules. Sectional title owners and estate residents should check with the body corporate or HOA first.
Plan access for steps, a gate for pets and space for furniture before the work begins.
Sanding, sealing and rotten boards
Sun, rain and foot traffic turn bare timber grey and rough. Sanding takes off the weathered layer, and a decking oil or sealer then protects the grain. Plan to re-coat every year or two, depending on how much sun the deck gets.
Check for soft, spongy boards, which signal rot, and for fine holes and powder, which signal borer. A carpenter can replace damaged boards and treat the frame. Termites also attack timber near the ground, so check the base of posts.
Fixing rot early costs far less than rebuilding the whole deck. Keep leaves and pot plants off the boards, since trapped moisture speeds decay.
What affects the quote
We do not show prices. The main cost drivers are the deck size, the material, the height above the ground, the number of steps and balustrades, and the state of the site. Sloping ground, old decks to remove and difficult access add to the work.
Tell us the size you have in mind, whether you prefer timber or composite and what the deck connects to. Add photographs, and state whether it is a new build, a repair or a sand and seal. With the same details, builders can quote the same job and you can compare their replies clearly.
Comparing quotes for wooden decks
The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:
- Scope: exactly what is included, from preparation and materials to rubble removal and clean-up.
- Materials: the brand, grade or quantity allowed for, and who buys and delivers them.
- Timing: when the work can start, how long it takes and what happens if it rains.
- Guarantee and terms: any workmanship guarantee, deposit, payment stages and how long the price holds.
What to include in your request
- Give the approximate size and height of the deck.
- State your preferred material, such as pine, balau or composite.
- Describe how the deck connects to the house or pool.
- Attach photographs of the site or the existing deck.
- Say if you need steps, balustrades or a built-in bench.
Frequently asked questions
Do you build wooden decks?
Is timber or composite better for a deck?
How often must a wooden deck be sealed?
What affects a deck quote?
Wooden Decks by province
- Wooden Decks Gauteng
- Wooden Decks Mpumalanga
- Wooden Decks North West
- Wooden Decks Limpopo
- Wooden Decks Northern Cape
- Wooden Decks Free State
- Wooden Decks KwaZulu-Natal
- Wooden Decks Eastern Cape
- Wooden Decks Western Cape
Wooden Decks by city and town
- Wooden Decks in Johannesburg
- Wooden Decks in Pretoria
- Wooden Decks in Centurion
- Wooden Decks in Midrand
- Wooden Decks in Sandton
- Wooden Decks in Randburg
- Wooden Decks in Roodepoort
- Wooden Decks in Krugersdorp
- Wooden Decks in Randfontein
- Wooden Decks in Germiston
- Wooden Decks in Boksburg
- Wooden Decks in Benoni
- Wooden Decks in Kempton Park
- Wooden Decks in Alberton
- Wooden Decks in Vanderbijlpark
- Wooden Decks in Vereeniging
- Wooden Decks in eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Wooden Decks in Middelburg
- Wooden Decks in Secunda
- Wooden Decks in Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Wooden Decks in Rustenburg
- Wooden Decks in Brits
- Wooden Decks in Klerksdorp
- Wooden Decks in Potchefstroom
- Wooden Decks in Polokwane
- Wooden Decks in Tzaneen
- Wooden Decks in Lephalale
- Wooden Decks in Kimberley
- Wooden Decks in Kathu
- Wooden Decks in Upington
- Wooden Decks in Bloemfontein
- Wooden Decks in Welkom
- Wooden Decks in Sasolburg
- Wooden Decks in Durban
- Wooden Decks in Pinetown
- Wooden Decks in Pietermaritzburg
- Wooden Decks in Richards Bay
- Wooden Decks in Newcastle
- Wooden Decks in Ladysmith
- Wooden Decks in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Wooden Decks in East London
- Wooden Decks in Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Wooden Decks in Cape Town
- Wooden Decks in Bellville
- Wooden Decks in Paarl
- Wooden Decks in Stellenbosch
- Wooden Decks in George
- Wooden Decks in Worcester
