THE ESTIMATING ANSWER
Estimate new timber deck installation by measuring the defined one low-level rectangular deck, separating product allowances from labour and setting out the work sequence and exclusions. This fictional Southampton example uses 8 itemised lines totalling £7,843.00; its exact quantities and rates appear in the paired app PDF.
The worked job is one low-level rectangular deck in Southampton. The written scope is: Build a new low-level timber deck on a prepared garden area, with a defined frame, boards, edge trim and one short step. Its matching itemised example shows how that description becomes quantities, allowances and a PDF. These figures are fictional inputs for learning the method, so check the real site, specification and supplier or subcontractor costs before quoting.
1. Define the measured job
Build a new low-level timber deck on a prepared garden area, with a defined frame, boards, edge trim and one short step. Measure deck footprint, finished height, board direction, post locations and site access. Record the measurements and existing condition in the estimate before turning quantities into line items. The scope should make clear why this is a separate project from a broader renovation or maintenance quote.
Measure for this job: Measure deck footprint, finished height, board direction, post locations and site access. Record the measured basis next to the relevant cost lines, since a room count, fitted length and purchased product quantity may each use a different unit.
2. Build a product and labour schedule
Price framing timber, deck boards and fixings as separate material allowances. This example has 8 distinct lines, including site layout and protection, ground preparation, support and footing allowance. Use actual supplier prices and labour inputs for a customer job; the displayed amounts are fictional document inputs.
Choose before pricing: Price framing timber, deck boards and fixings as separate material allowances. Keep a named allowance when the selection is open, and replace it once the actual product and delivery terms are known.
3. Sequence the work and handoffs
Confirm ground and support design before ordering; build frame and check level before boarding. Show which task depends on access, a selected product or another trade. If that dependency is still open, label the price preliminary and identify the information needed before a firm quote.
Plan the handoffs: Confirm ground and support design before ordering; build frame and check level before boarding. State which stage needs access or inspection before the next can begin, especially if a concealed condition might stop the work.
4. Set a change boundary
Poor ground, drainage conflict or a higher deck level can change the support design. The example excludes roof, balustrade, structural engineering or hidden utility relocation. Record the discovery, agree the revised work and update the estimate before adding it to the job.
Change trigger: Poor ground, drainage conflict or a higher deck level can change the support design. If this happens, write down the revised quantity and responsibility before adding an item to the customer estimate.
Worked project calculation
The paired PDF has 8 cost lines. For example, Ground preparation is 22.3 sq m × £34.40 = £767.12; Support and footing allowance is 8 each × £76.00 = £608.00. Each amount is the stated quantity multiplied by its unit rate. Recheck whether a line describes installed work, a material purchase allowance or a distinct visit before changing its quantity.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site layout and protection | 1 lump sum | £192.00 | £192.00 |
| Ground preparation | 22.3 sq m | £34.40 | £767.12 |
| Support and footing allowance | 8 each | £76.00 | £608.00 |
| Frame timber allowance | 1 lump sum | £1,000.00 | £1,000.00 |
| Frame construction | 22.3 sq m | £77.50 | £1,728.25 |
| Deck board allowance | 24.6 sq m | £60.30 | £1,483.38 |
| Board fitting and edge trim | 22.3 sq m | £77.50 | £1,728.25 |
| Step and clean-up | 1 lump sum | £336.00 | £336.00 |
| Illustrative total | £7,843.00 | ||
Adding the 8 exact line amounts gives £7,843.00. The PDF uses a 0% tax input and no markup solely to display this arithmetic. Decide the appropriate tax, overhead and profit treatment for an actual job; the fictional rates are not local averages or price recommendations.
Scope and price boundaries
Build a new low-level timber deck on a prepared garden area, with a defined frame, boards, edge trim and one short step.
Outside this example: No roof, balustrade, structural engineering or hidden utility relocation.
The role in this brief is general contractor. Confirm who supplies the selected products, makes the site safe, removes waste and signs off the work. Where opening up reveals a different condition, document it and issue a revised scope and price rather than silently extending the base estimate. Also check access, drying or curing time, and the client handoff described in the work sequence.
Before you send
- Measure deck footprint, finished height, board direction, post locations and site access.
- Price framing timber, deck boards and fixings as separate material allowances.
- Confirm ground and support design before ordering; build frame and check level before boarding.
- Poor ground, drainage conflict or a higher deck level can change the support design.
Compare the written scope with every line in the new timber deck installation PDF example. The preview below is the first page of the actual app export; open the PDF to inspect its full scope, notes and amounts.
Questions about this job
Which quantity controls this new timber deck installation estimate?
Measure deck footprint, finished height, board direction, post locations and site access.
When should this new timber deck installation quote be revised?
Poor ground, drainage conflict or a higher deck level can change the support design. No roof, balustrade, structural engineering or hidden utility relocation.
FROM SITE NOTES TO AN ITEMISED PDF
Build your own new timber deck installation estimate
Enter the project boundary and your measured lines in Estimates on iPhone or Android. Edit the fictional quantities and rates, add the actual business and client details, then inspect the PDF before sharing it.
