NZ TIMBER EDITORIAL GUIDE
Decking Timber Prices NZ
Decking is commonly priced per linear metre, while a project is measured in square metres. The bridge between them is installed cover. A board-only rate still excludes the subframe, fixings, freight, waste and finishing.
Convert linear metres to square metres
| Board face | Example gap | Installed cover | LM per m² before waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 mm | 5 mm | 0.095 m | 10.53 LM |
| 140 mm | 5 mm | 0.145 m | 6.90 LM |
The gap is an example, not installation guidance. Use the board supplier’s current spacing instructions, moisture condition and profile. A 90 mm board with a 5 mm gap covers 0.095 m² per lineal metre, not 0.09 m². This distinction becomes material across a large deck.
Current Timber Dealers reference basket
On 13 August 2026, structured reference data included: 90 × 19 H3.2 radiata pine at $2.52/LM, 140 × 19 pine at $4.06/LM, 90 × 32 pine at $4.12/LM, 140 × 32 pine at $5.16/LM, 90 × 19 Kwila at $7.77/LM, and 140 × 19 Kwila at $12.86/LM. Vitex 90 × 19 and Garapa 90 × 19 remain supplier-quote products in the catalogue.
| Catalogue board | Reference unit | Approx. board cost/m² at 5 mm example gap |
|---|---|---|
| Pine 90 × 19 | $2.52/LM | $26.53 |
| Pine 140 × 19 | $4.06/LM | $28.00 |
| Pine 90 × 32 | $4.12/LM | $43.37 |
| Pine 140 × 32 | $5.16/LM | $35.59 |
| Kwila 90 × 19 | $7.77/LM | $81.79 |
| Kwila 140 × 19 | $12.86/LM | $88.72 |
A 20 m² board-only model
Using 90 mm boards and the example 95 mm installed cover, 20 m² requires about 210.6 LM before waste. At 10% planning waste, round to about 232 LM. Pine 90 × 19 at the recorded reference gives $584.64 for boards; Kwila 90 × 19 gives $1,802.64. Neither number is a deck price.
| Line | Pine 90 × 19 | Kwila 90 × 19 |
|---|---|---|
| Net board length | 210.6 LM | 210.6 LM |
| Planning length with 10% | 232 LM | 232 LM |
| Board reference | $584.64 | $1,802.64 |
| Joists/bearers/piles | quote separately | quote separately |
| Fixings/finish/freight | quote separately | quote separately |
Random lengths affect waste and butt-joint placement. A lower LM rate may produce a worse project yield if the supplied length distribution does not suit the deck geometry. Ask the merchant to quote the expected length mix, not only a headline rate.
What board-only comparisons leave out
- H3.2 joists and bearers, piles or posts, blocking and connectors.
- Screws or a proprietary hidden-fixing system compatible with timber and exposure.
- Site access, long-length delivery, mechanical unload and dry storage.
- Cleaning, oiling or coating products and maintenance expectations.
- Additional waste for borders, stairs, diagonal laying, appearance selection and random lengths.
- Design, consent, excavation and labour.
Compare complete material schedules at the same deck area and geometry. If one option uses a different board thickness, joist layout or fixing system, the board rate alone is not a like-for-like comparison.
Compare quotes on one worksheet
| Field | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| species/profile/grade | explicit | explicit |
| board size and moisture state | confirm | confirm |
| rate unit and tax basis | $/LM or each | $/LM or each |
| length distribution | list | list |
| waste assumption | same geometry | same geometry |
| fixings and finish | itemised | itemised |
| freight/unload | delivered total | delivered total |
Do not average rates across mixed board widths. Convert each product to installed coverage using its own declared gap and profile, then price the actual layout. Keep stairs, fascia, borders and privacy screens out of the deck-area denominator unless their quantities are separately measured.
A quote-validity date matters where hardwood and freight costs move. Record the reference date and avoid presenting an old merchant rate as a current national price.
Maintenance is a cash-flow item
If colour retention matters, ask for the producer's cleaning and coating system, coverage rate and recoat interval, then model product quantity and labour over the intended ownership period. If the deck may weather grey, budget cleaning and inspections rather than assuming zero maintenance.