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What goes under the boards
This is our standard build. It does not change because the budget does — the timber on top might, the structure underneath does not.
• 140 × 45 H3.2 SG8 joists and 190 × 45 H3.2 SG8 bearers.
• 125 × 125 H5 anchor piles encased in 20 MPa concrete.
• 290 × 45 SG8 stair stringers.
• Stainless plates, brackets and 65 mm 10G torx screws throughout.
Stainless is not negotiable on our jobs — galvanised fixings fail within a decade near the coast.
Choosing the timber
There is no single best decking timber, only the right one for the site and budget.
Vitex — pale gold, very stable, takes a curve beautifully. Our first choice where a deck has shaped edges or sits against a pool. The Meadowbank deck is Vitex.
Kwila — dense and hard-wearing, bleeds tannin the first season. Good for strong shapes.
Macrocarpa — warm, good for sleepers and planters.
Treated pine — sensible on budget.
Decks that work around something
Most of the decks we are asked for are not rectangles on flat ground.
Around a pool, the deck edge has to follow the shell exactly and the barrier has to be designed in, not bolted on. We build the framing before the pool arrives so install day is a lift.
Across a level change, that means engineered retaining and a substructure carrying the load.
Over an existing deck, Silca System tile gives a hard-wearing surface.
Finishing and maintenance
Hardwood can be oiled to hold its colour or left to silver. Both are legitimate, worth deciding before the deck is built — the fixings and grade are the same either way, but the look is not.
Pine and fencing we finish in premium paint, applied by spray gun for an even coat across the grain.
We also come back. Re-staining and replacing failed boards costs a fraction of a full rebuild.
Consents and compliance
We manage the engineering and the council consents end to end.
Whether a deck needs a building consent comes down to its height above ground, what it attaches to, and whether a barrier is required. We work that out before quoting, and if a consent is needed we handle the process.
Where a deck meets a pool, the barrier has to satisfy the Building Code. That part goes to a barrier specialist we appoint and coordinate, and they certify their own work.
Where we work
Auckland-wide. Recent decks in Meadowbank, One Tree Hill, Torbay and Titirangi, with wider landscape work across Herne Bay, Point Chevalier and Browns Bay.
Common questions
How long does a deck take?
A straightforward deck is usually one to two weeks on site. Larger projects with retaining, stairs or a pool run four to eight weeks.
Do I need a building consent for a deck?
It depends on the height above ground and what it attaches to. We work it out before quoting and manage the consent if one is needed.
Hardwood or pine?
Pine if budget is the deciding factor, hardwood if the deck is a feature or has shaped edges. Both get the same substructure from us.
Will you repair an existing deck rather than replace it?
Often, yes. If the substructure is sound, replacing boards and re-staining is far cheaper than a rebuild — we will tell you honestly which one your deck needs.