Nail It Construction NSW
Project Cost Estimator · Northern Beaches & North Shore
Step 1
Let's get started
What are you building?
Select your primary project. We'll ask about adding the other at the end.
Deck
Timber or composite outdoor platform — new build, rebuild, or board replacement
Pergola
Freestanding or attached overhead structure — open, louvred, or roofed
Step 2 · Scope
What's the scope of work?
Helps us understand the preparation and demolition involved.
New build — nothing there now
Building on bare ground or a slab with no existing deck
Demo old deck + build new
Remove the existing structure completely and start fresh — includes demolition and disposal
Replace boards only
Existing subframe is sound — just replacing the decking boards on top, no subframe work needed
Step 2 · Pergola type
What style of pergola?
The structure type affects materials, engineering, and cost.
Painted Timber (Pine)
Budget-friendly option
Treated pine, painted finish. Classic look, most affordable. Needs repainting every few years.
Most affordable
Hardwood Timber
Mid–premium range
Merbau, spotted gum or blackbutt. Natural grain, rich look. Oiled every 2–3 years.
Popular choice
Steel / Aluminium
Premium option
Powder-coated steel or aluminium. Sleek modern look, zero maintenance, 30+ year lifespan.
Low maintenance
Louvred Roof System
Top of range
Adjustable motorised louvres — full weather protection, year-round use. Premium finish.
Premium
Step 3 · Size
How big is the project?
Give us a rough area in m². Not sure? Pick a common size — we'll measure up on site.
30m²
5 m²150 m²
Small ~10 m²
Medium ~20 m²
Large ~35 m²
XL ~55 m²
XXL ~80 m²
Early indicative range
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Step 4 · Material type
What type of decking material?
Each category has different looks, lifespans, and price points. We'll show specific options next.
Timber
Natural hardwood or treated pine — classic look, periodic maintenance required
Composite
Low maintenance, 25+ yr lifespan — the popular modern choice
Fibre Cement
Non-combustible — ideal for BAL-rated bushfire zones
Step 5 · Timber
Which timber species?
Each has a different grain, hardness rating, and cost. All require periodic oiling to maintain their look.
Merbau 90mm
~$120/lm supply
Rich red-brown. Australia's most popular hardwood deck. Janka 8.5.
Most popular
Spotted Gum
~$114–138/lm supply
Australian native. Interlocked wavy grain, grey-brown tones. Janka 11.
Premium hardwood
Blackbutt
~$102–126/lm supply
Pale straw to golden. Clean contemporary look. Janka 9.1. BAL rated.
Premium hardwood
Treated Pine (H3/H4)
~$54–66/lm supply
Budget softwood. Stain every 2–3 years. Good for low or temporary decks.
Budget option
Step 5 · Composite
Which composite board?
All composites are low maintenance. The difference is in finish quality, warranty length, and aesthetics.
Trex Transcend
$360/m² supply
Premium composite. 25-yr fade & stain warranty. Realistic timber grain.
Best seller
Millboard
$420/m² supply
Hand-moulded luxury composite. Ultra-realistic, 30-yr lifespan. Zero maintenance.
Luxury
Trex Select
$300/m² supply
Mid-range composite. Solid colour, low maintenance, excellent value.
Good value
Wood Evo
$288/m² supply
Timber-look composite with hidden clip system. Solid mid-range pick.
Good value
Eko Design
$204/m² supply
Entry composite. Clean finish, reliable performance.
Entry level
Everdeck
$264/m² supply
Lightweight composite. Easy install, neutral clean finish.
Entry level
Trex Lineage
$330/m² supply
Top-of-range Trex. Advanced capping, fade & stain warranty. Premium timber aesthetics.
Premium
Trex Tropical
$300/m² supply
Exotic tropical hardwood look in composite. Rich deep tones, 25-yr warranty.
Popular
Step 5 · Fibre Cement
Fibre cement decking
Non-combustible and required in BAL-rated bushfire attack zones. Heavier than timber or composite — requires a robust subframe.
Standard fibre cement board
~$180–220/m² supply — Non-combustible, weather resistant, paintable surface
Premium fibre cement (embossed timber-look)
~$240–280/m² supply — Better finish with embossed grain texture on surface
Step 6 · Deck height
How high off the ground?
This determines your subframe system and whether handrails are legally required.
Low — under 300mm
Close to ground. Low deck or near-ground patio level.
Mid — 300mm to 1m
Most common backyard deck height
High — over 1m
Elevated deck on sloped block. Engineer footings required.
Step 7 · Subframe
Subframe recommendation
Based on your deck height, here's what we'd use — plus an upgrade option to consider.
Included in your estimate
H3 Treated Pine
Standard above-ground subframe.
Optional upgrade
Upgrade to Aluminium subframe
Never rots. Ideal near the coast.
Pros
Cons
Step 8 · Stairs
Do you need stairs?
If your deck is raised off the ground, you'll need at least one set of stairs to access the yard.
No stairs
Ground level or existing access already in place
1 set of stairs
One staircase from deck to ground
2 sets of stairs
Access from two different sides
Step 9 · Handrails
Do you need handrails or balustrade?
Any deck over 1m high requires balustrade by law. Select what applies to your project.
No handrails needed
Low deck — not required by code
Or select a balustrade type
Timber handrail
~$90/lm installed
Treated pine or hardwood. Classic look, some maintenance required.
Stainless wire
~$90/lm installed
Tensioned wire with timber or aluminium posts. Open feel, very low maintenance.
Most popular
Glass balustrade
~$750/lm installed
Frameless or semi-frameless toughened glass. Maximum view, premium finish.
Premium
Aluminium balustrade
~$120/lm installed
Powder-coated aluminium slats or panels. Durable, zero maintenance.
Step 3 · Coverage area
How big is the pergola area?
The covered footprint in square metres. Not sure? Pick a common size — we'll confirm on site.
20m²
5 m²100 m²
Small ~10 m²
Medium ~20 m²
Large ~35 m²
XL ~50 m²
Pergola estimate range
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One more thing
Want to add a pergola?
Many clients pair a deck with a pergola to create a fully covered entertaining area. Want to factor in a rough allowance?
Add a pergola over your deck
A basic attached painted timber pergola over ~20 m² typically adds $8,000–$18,000 depending on size and finish. We can include an allowance in your estimate.
Almost done
Where do we send your estimate?
Enter your details and we'll show the full breakdown — plus follow up to book a free site visit.
Your ballpark estimate
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Based on your selections. A firm written quote is provided after a free site visit — usually within 48 hours.
What's included in this range
Typical project timeline
1
Free site visit
& measure
& measure
48hrs
Written quote
returned
returned
5–8
Business days
to complete
to complete
Ready for a firm price?
Book a free, no-obligation site visit. We'll measure up, walk through your options, and have a detailed written quote back to you fast.
Servicing Freshwater, Manly, Dee Why, Mona Vale, Palm Beach and the wider Northern Beaches & North Shore.
This estimate is a guide only and does not constitute a formal quote. Final pricing is subject to a full site inspection, design scope, council requirements, and current material costs. All prices are GST inclusive.