Common questions
Deck building - common questions.
Straight answers to the things homeowners ask us most often. If your question isn't here, call John - he'll give you a straight answer, not a sales line.
How much does a deck cost in Christchurch?
Every deck we build is quoted after a site visit - there's no one-rate-fits-all figure because the variables (material, height, size, access, features, consent) move the number significantly. As a rough guide, a standard low-level pine deck with no extras is our cheapest build. A multi-level Kwila deck with integrated stairs, balustrades and a built-in bar is our highest. See the Pricing section above for the variables, or book a free site visit for a fixed quote on your section.
Kwila vs composite - which should we pick?
Kwila looks and feels like a proper hardwood deck, and ages beautifully with one coat of CD50 oil a year. Composite needs no oiling at all, but it doesn't have the same depth of grain. For most Christchurch homeowners we'll recommend Kwila on the north-facing, visible decks, and composite for pool surrounds, rentals, and decks that won't get regular maintenance.
Do we need a building consent for our deck?
Decks over 1.5m off the ground need a building consent. So do decks attached to certain wall structures. Below 1.5m and freestanding - usually not. We'll tell you on the site visit, and if a consent is needed, we handle the drawings, submission and inspections ourselves rather than leave it with you.
How long does a deck take to build?
Most residential decks run two to four weeks on site once materials arrive. Materials usually land one to two weeks after the deposit. A full outdoor-living build (deck plus pergola or louvre plus fence plus retaining) runs four to eight weeks depending on scale and access.
Do you build decks in our suburb?
We build across the Christchurch urban area and wider Canterbury - Halswell, Fendalton, Merivale, Redwood, Rolleston, Papanui, St Albans, Prestons, Marshlands, Rangiora, Ravenswood, Casebrook, Harewood, Redcliffs, Sumner, Kaiapoi, Ohoka, Cust, Yaldhurst, West Melton, and everywhere in between. We also travel further across Canterbury and the wider South Island for the right build.
What if our section has tight access?
Our 1T Kubota digger goes down to 750mm - narrower than most side gates. We bring it onsite for ground clearance under decks, pile holes on sloped sections, and tight-section landscaping. If we can't get it through, we'll tell you on the site visit and adjust the approach rather than walk away from the job.
What's covered by the ten-year guarantee?
Ten years on the structural work - framing, piles, joists, fixings. That sits on top of the individual manufacturer warranties for composite boards, hardware and louvre systems. $2M public liability covers us and you through the whole build.
Can you do the fence, pergola and retaining too?
Yes - that's most of our work. Same crew, same build, coordinated timeline. Cheaper and faster than hiring separate trades, and the joins between deck, fence and retaining actually align because the same team set both out. See our fence builder, louvre and covered roof and timber retaining wall pages for the rest.
