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You’ve done the right thing. You’ve got three quotes for your new deck. One comes in at $12,000. Another at $19,000. And a third at $28,000.
Same deck, same size, same suburb. What on earth is going on?
This is one of the most common conversations we have with Sydney homeowners. Here’s exactly why quotes vary — and what those price differences really mean.
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## 1. The Subframe Quality Is Different
This is the biggest hidden variable in deck pricing — and most homeowners never ask about it.
The subframe is everything underneath the visible boards: the posts, bearers and joists. It’s what your deck stands on.
A cheap quote often means:
– Undersized joists that will flex and bounce
– Cheaper treated pine framing instead of structural hardwood or steel
– Minimal fasteners
– No allowance for adequate drainage
The boards on top look the same. The deck feels completely different — and in 5 years, the cheap subframe shows.
**Ask every builder:** What size joists are you using? What spacing? What framing species? A good builder will answer this immediately.
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## 2. The Decking Boards Are Different Quality
“Composite decking” isn’t one product. It’s a category ranging from cheap unbranded boards imported from China through to premium American and European products backed by 25-year warranties.
A $12,000 deck quote might be using unbranded composite that fades, warps or loses its cap layer in 5 years. A $22,000 quote might be Trex Transcend with a 25-year warranty.
Similarly with timber — “Merbau decking” spans a huge quality range depending on the grade of timber specified.
**Ask every builder:** What brand and grade of boards are you supplying? Can you see the product specification?
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## 3. Inclusions Are Different
Read the fine print. A low quote might be:
– Boards only (no subframe)
– Supply only (no installation)
– Excluding demolition of your existing deck
– Excluding disposal of waste
– Excluding balustrades (even if you need them for safety compliance)
– Excluding stairs
We’ve seen customers sign a $10,000 quote for a “deck” only to receive a bill for $17,000 once the “extras” were added. Our quotes are fully itemised and include everything discussed — no surprises.
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## 4. The Builder’s Experience and Licensing
Unlicensed or minimally experienced builders can quote much lower because:
– They’re not paying proper insurance premiums
– They’re cutting corners on compliance
– They’re using cheaper labour (sometimes not licensed tradespeople)
In NSW, decks over a certain value must be built by a licensed builder. Our licence number is 331800C — verify any builder’s licence at the NSW Fair Trading website before signing.
An unlicensed deck can cause serious issues when you try to sell your home or make an insurance claim.
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## 5. The Site Conditions Are Factored Differently
This is where honest quoting becomes an art. Two builders might quote the same deck very differently based on how they assess:
– **Slope:** A steep block needs longer posts, more concrete and more engineering
– **Access:** If your backyard access is through a narrow gate, material delivery takes longer
– **Height:** An elevated deck has significantly more structural work
– **Soil type:** Sandy or unstable soil requires deeper footings
A low quote that doesn’t properly account for your site conditions will come back as variations later. A higher quote from a builder who’s done their homework might actually be better value.
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## How to Compare Quotes Properly
1. **Make sure they’re quoting the same thing** — same size, same materials, same inclusions
2. **Ask for a brand name on materials** — “composite decking” isn’t a spec
3. **Check what’s excluded** — demolition, disposal, stairs, balustrades, lighting
4. **Verify the licence** — NSW Fair Trading licence check is free and takes 30 seconds
5. **Read reviews** — 50+ genuine Google reviews tells a story
6. **Ask about warranties** — both on materials AND workmanship
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## Our Promise
At 5 Star Decking, we provide fully itemised, fixed-price quotes. What we quote is what you pay — no variations, no nasty surprises. We specify exact brands, board grades and subframe specifications so you can compare properly.
We’re not always the cheapest quote. We’re consistently the best value — and 5,000+ completed decks and a 4.9/5.0 Google rating says more than we ever could.
**[Get your honest, itemised quote →](https://5stardecking.com/contact/)**
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*5 Star Decking — Licensed deck builders (Lic: 331800C). 4.9/5.0 on Google. Fixed-price quotes across all of Sydney.*
