Overview
Decking quotes are sold by the square metre, but the substructure is what makes it last
Decking is one of the trades where the customer comparison is fierce because the materials are visible and pre-priced. The customer can walk into the merchant and see the deck boards: pressure-treated softwood, Brazilian hardwood, or composite. What they can't see is the substructure: pressure-treated joists at the right centres, posts on concrete pads, joist hangers, decking screws rated for the climate, ventilation underneath. A flat 'deck, $200/m²' quote that doesn't show the substructure gives the customer no way to spot the contractor whose price is cheap because the joists are at 600mm centres instead of 400mm, and the deck flexes in year two.
QuoteGenio gives decking contractors a quoting shape that surfaces the build, not just the boards. Survey and design as the first line, substructure by linear metre of joist with the spacing named, post foundations by piece, deck boards by square metre with the species and grade noted, fixings appropriate to the board type, balustrade or railing if applicable, steps and edge trim, and a finishing treatment (stain, oil, or sealer) with the warranty period. Send via WhatsApp from the customer's garden, take a deposit on the timber order, raise a progress invoice once the substructure is signed off, and the final invoice closes with the warranty document and a maintenance reminder for year three.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of decking install and repair business.
The problem
The quoting headaches every decking installer knows
Decks price on m², decking grade, sub-structure and finish. Quote one number and you lose to the timber importer who undercuts you on grade.
Quotes after every site visit
You measure, photograph, then sit on the quote for two days while you check timber pricing. By then the client has been sold a cheaper composite deck by someone else.
Per m² hides the sub-structure
If your quote is just 'deck 30 m² at R15,701', the client thinks the sub-structure is included or free. Then framing arrives on the variation and it is a fight.
Beaten by timber-grade games
A bidder using ungraded pine quotes 30 percent lower than your balau or composite. If your quote does not name the timber, you lose every comparison.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A workflow built around how decks are scoped, with line items for sub-structure, decking, fixings, and finish.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for decking
Line items for sub-structure (joists, posts, footings), decking (per m² by grade), fixings, balustrades, and finish. Everything a deck quote needs, nothing it does not.
Works from your phone
Quote at the deck site with measurements and grade decisions still fresh. No driving back to the office to write it up.
Quote in under 2 minutes
Save decking grades and sub-structure packages as templates. Pick the grade, type the m², send. Done before the client opens the next quote email.
Track deposits and balances
Take 50 percent on acceptance, balance on completion. See which deck jobs are deposit-paid and which are still pending without a spreadsheet.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how decking installers actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Decking Installers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Decking Installers build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Decking Installers job pricing
A rough guide to what decking installers charge. Pricing varies hugely with timber grade, deck height, sub-structure (ground level vs raised), and finish. Use these as a sanity check when building your own per m² rates, not as fixed numbers.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Pine pressure-treated decking (per m², supply only) | R529 - R1,074 |
| Balau or hardwood decking (per m², supply only) | R1,570 - R3,057 |
| Composite decking (per m², supply only) | R1,818 - R3,966 |
| Sub-structure (joists, bearers, per m² of deck) | R744 - R1,818 |
| Concrete footings (per footing, 400 mm) | R1,570 - R3,636 |
| Install labour (per m², standard deck) | R4,628 - R9,586 |
| Full turnkey small deck (15 m² ground level, balau) | R140,480 - R297,486 |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
A site measure fee of R1,570 to R3,636 covers your time to measure, level-check, and assess access. Most decking installers waive it on jobs over R82,635. List it on the quote so tyre-kicker enquiries respect your time, especially on far suburbs.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use per m² pricing for decking supply, sub-structure, and install labour. Use fixed pricing for footings, balustrades, and stairs. On raised or rooftop decks, add a 'site condition adjustment' line so the client sees why your m² rate is higher than a ground-level brochure.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here is what a clean balau pool deck quote looks like. Notice how sub-structure, footings, decking, fixings and install labour all show as their own lines. Clients accept this kind of quote faster because they can see why your price beats the timber-only brochure from the importer.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Ground-level balau pool deck, 28 m²
Site measure and level check
Treated pine sub-structure (joists, bearers, per m²)
Concrete footings (400 mm, qty 12)
Balau decking 21 mm (per m², supply)
Stainless fixings, joist tape, end seal
Install labour (per m², ground level)
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site measure and level check | 1 | R2,975 | R2,975 |
| Treated pine sub-structure (joists, bearers, per m²) | 28 | R1,240 | R34,707 |
| Concrete footings (400 mm, qty 12) | 12 | R2,396 | R28,757 |
| Balau decking 21 mm (per m², supply) | 28 | R2,396 | R67,100 |
| Stainless fixings, joist tape, end seal | 1 | R7,933 | R7,933 |
| Install labour (per m², ground level) | 28 | R6,280 | R175,847 |
| Subtotal | R317,318 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R31,732 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R349,050 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Concrete footings, joist tape, stainless fixings, end seal on hardwood cuts, balustrade and step nosings, the first oil application, and the second oil at month 6. Add these as standard lines on your decking template so you stop absorbing them out of your margin.
Peer snapshot
How Decking Installers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Decking Installers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
17
Quotes sent per month
49%
Average quote acceptance
5 min
Median time to send quote
R349,050
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Decking Installer jobs like this, free
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Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of decking installers. The same scoping and pricing mistakes come up again and again. Fixing these will protect your margin and stop you losing jobs to bidders quoting cheaper grades.
Mistake: Quoting decking per m² without naming the grade
Better: Always state timber grade on the quote (e.g. 'Balau 21 mm dressed FSC' not 'hardwood'). Otherwise the client compares you to ungraded pine and you lose every time.
Mistake: Forgetting the sub-structure line
Better: List sub-structure (joists, bearers, footings) as a separate line per m² of deck. Bundling it into 'install' makes the client think the deck is the only cost. You absorb the framing.
Mistake: No fixings line
Better: Stainless decking screws, joist tape, and end seal cost real money on big decks. Add a 'fixings, joist tape, end seal' line of R231 to R413 per m². It adds up fast on hardwood decks.
Mistake: Cheap pine without lifespan warning
Better: If you offer pine, state expected lifespan (8 to 15 years with annual oil). Offer balau or composite as upgrade lines. Otherwise the client blames you when the pine cups in year 5.
Mistake: No first-oil included on hardwood
Better: List the first oil application as a line item. Hardwood needs sealing within 30 days of install. Skipping it shortens the deck's life and the client blames the installer.
Mistake: Underquoting raised decks
Better: Raised decks (over 600 mm) need extra footings, bracing, and balustrade compliance. Add a 'raised deck adjustment' line of 25 to 50 percent on labour. Ground-level rates do not apply.
Mistake: No annual maintenance offered
Better: Offer an annual oil and inspection contract on the same quote (R4,628 to R12,395 per year). Keeps the deck looking new, keeps you in front of the client for repeat work and referrals.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote decking jobs
Measure the deck area in square metres and check level with a long straight edge or laser. Count the number of concrete footings needed (one per 1.5 m of bearer, 400 mm deep minimum, deeper in clay or frost), note deck height above ground, and check whether the deck is free-standing or ties to the house. Photograph the ground condition (solid soil, soft ground, paved), access for timber delivery, and proximity to pool or pond. Decide on timber grade with the client at site: pine pressure-treated (8 to 15 year life with annual oil), balau or hardwood (25 to 40 years with sealing), or composite (25 year warranty). These decisions drive your per m squared rate from $ 600 to $ 2,400 turnkey.
Name the grade on every quote. Line items for site measure and level check, concrete footings per footing at 400 mm depth, treated pine sub-structure (joists and bearers) per m squared at $ 45 to $ 110, decking per m squared by named grade (Balau 21 mm dressed FSC, not 'hardwood'), stainless decking screws and joist tape and end seal at $ 14 to $ 25 per m squared, install labour per m squared, balustrades and step nosings where relevant, and 2 coats of penetrating oil as the first finish. Add a 'raised deck adjustment' line of 25 to 50 percent on labour when the deck is over 600 mm off the ground. Offer pine, balau, and composite as upgrade options on the same quote so the client chooses at acceptance.
Set 14 day validity on hardwood and composite quotes because timber and import prices move fast; 30 days on pine. Take 50 percent deposit on acceptance to cover timber order and footing pour, balance on completion. State on the quote that the timber warranty is conditional on annual oiling for hardwood decks and offer an annual oil and inspection contract at $ 280 to $ 750 per year. Include a second oil application at month 6 on the install quote so the client budgets for it. On rooftop and pool decks, add a waterproofing sign-off line and membrane allowance where relevant.
Send the itemised quote on WhatsApp from site before you pack the tape measure. Decking quotes lose to bidders quoting ungraded pine because the client cannot see the grade difference in one-number quotes. When timber grade, sub-structure, fixings and finish all show as separate lines, your price becomes defensible. Follow up after 3 days with a short message linking to the same quote. When a client asks for a bigger deck, balustrade upgrade, or pool surround extension, send a variation quote covering just the added lines so the deposit schedule does not reset.
FAQ
Common questions from decking installers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Set quantity to your deck m² and rate to your per m² price. Add separate lines for sub-structure, footings, decking, fixings, and install so the client sees the full build-up.
Yes. Once your quote is ready, share it as a link directly via WhatsApp. Your client gets a professional branded document instantly, before you drive home from the measure.
Each line item has its own description, quantity, and price. Add a line for sub-structure (per m²), a line for footings (per footing), a line for decking (per m² with grade), and a line for install labour (per m²). The client sees exactly what each part costs.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. Your client can open it on their phone and accept it online. No signup required.
Yes. Convert the accepted quote into a deposit invoice for 50 percent, then invoice the balance on completion. Both invoices link back to the original quote so there is no double entry.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes, invoices, statements, and reports.
Build the m² price from four components: timber cost, sub-structure (joists, bearers, footings), fixings (stainless screws, joist tape, end seal), and install labour. A standard ground-level pine deck lands at R9,916 to R18,180 per m² turnkey, balau at R19,832 to R29,749 per m², and composite at R23,138 to R39,665 per m². Always show the components on the quote so the client sees why your number is not the importer-only number.
Offer all three on the quote as upgrade options. Pine is cheapest but needs annual oil and lasts 8 to 15 years. Balau lasts 25 to 40 years with proper sealing and looks premium. Composite is highest cost upfront but needs almost no maintenance and carries a 25-year warranty. Letting the client choose at the quote stage avoids the variation conversation later.
Yes for any permanent deck. Concrete footings (400 mm deep minimum, more in clay or frost zones) prevent the deck moving, cupping, and rotting at the bearers. Quote one footing per 1.5 m of bearer at R1,570 to R3,636 each. Skipping footings is the number one reason ground-level decks fail in year 3 to 5.
Annual oil application is essential on balau and other hardwoods to prevent UV greying and surface cracking. Quote an annual oil and inspection contract at R4,628 to R12,395 per year depending on deck size. State on the quote that the deck warranty is conditional on annual oiling. Keeps the deck looking new and keeps you in front of the client for referrals.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
Pricing benchmark
What do decking installers charge in 2026?
Hourly rates by region, common job prices, a worked sample quote, and the FAQs customers actually ask. The complete pricing reference for decking installers.
Typical hourly
$55-$120/hr
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Guides for Decking Installers
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