Have you started pricing up a garden project recently? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve grasped that numbers can move quickly. The cost of timber varies heavily on a few factors, namely species, treatment, and grade; there’s a big contrast between a quote that holds and one that rises once you’ve got started.
Keen to get an accurate and realistic overall cost for products like decking timber, fence panels, posts, and subframe materials in Manchester and the surrounding areas? This helpful guide from the team at Joseph Parr Alco can give you that.
What You’re Paying Per Metre With Decking Timber
Treated softwood decking boards that sit in the 90 to 120mm range typically cost between £2.50 and £4.50 per linear metre. You will find that hardwood is a bit more expensive, at around £6 to £12 per metre.
Consider board thickness; a 28mm board is much more rigid than a 22mm one over the same joist spacing, and it’s definitely worth getting this right straight away.
Price Ranges Explained For Fence Panels and Posts
Lapped panels run from around £25 at the economy end to £45 for a solid option in the mid range. Heavier featheredge panels in a 1.8m x 1.8m format push closer toward the £55 to £60 mark. Treated 75x75mm posts are at £8 to £18 depending on length. Don't overlook gravel boards; at £4 to £9 each, they protect panel bases from ground moisture and add years of lifespan to the fence.
Using Subframe Materials to Get the Foundation Right
Treated C16 joists at 47x100mm run around £1.80 to £3.20 per linear metre. Hardware, joist hangers, coach screws, and post supports usually add £60 to £120 on a 20m² deck. Tighter joist spacing costs more upfront but makes a measurable difference on a north facing Manchester garden where there is a high presence of moisture and shade.
Timber Pricing Breakdown
The Alco team have laid out a table covering the garden timber products that are often specified, with price ranges, lifespans, and where each thrives:
| Material | Estimated Cost Range | Lifespan | Suitable For |
| Treated Softwood Decking Boards (90mm to 120mm) | £2.50 to £4.50/m | 15 to 25 years | Main deck surface |
| Untreated Softwood Decking Boards | £1.50 to £2.80/m | 3 to 7 years | Short-term/budget builds |
| Hardwood Decking | £6.00 to £12.00/m | 25 to 40 years | Premium or long-life decks |
| Deck Subframe Timber (47x100mm C16) | £1.80 to £3.20/m | 15 to 20 years (treated) | Joists and bearers |
| Fence Posts (75mmx75mm treated) | £8.00 to £18.00 each | 15 to 20 years | Post and panel fencing |
| Featheredge Fence Board | £1.00 to £2.20 each | 10 to 15 years (treated) | Closeboard fencing |
| Fence Panels (1.8m x 1.8m) | £25.00 to £60.00 each | 10 to 15 years | Residential boundaries |
| Gravel Boards (100x22mm) | £4.00 to £9.00 each | 10 to 15 years (treated) | Fence base protection |
Why Cheaper Untreated Timber Costs More Long Term
Untreated softwood looks like half the price at the point of purchase. In practice, it shows serious deterioration within three to five years in exposed conditions. A treated deck built in 2026 should still be standing in 2041. The untreated equivalent will likely need replacing around 2031, at which point you're paying for materials and labour again. The maths flips once you account for the second build.
Typical Total Timber Cost for a 20m² Deck
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
| Treated softwood decking boards | £200 to £360 | 80 linear metres at £2.50 to £4.50/m |
| Subframe timber (joists & bearers) | £130 to £230 | 65 linear metres of 47x100mm C16 |
| Posts/fixings/hardware | £60 to £120 | Coach screws, joist hangers, post supports |
| Wastage allowance (10 to 15%) | £40 to £80 | Always factor in cutting losses |
| Total Estimate | £430 to £790 | Timber only; excludes labour and groundworks |
Garden Timber in Manchester at Joseph Parr Alco
Here at Joseph Parr Alco, we stock a whole host of options for gardens, including treated decking timber, fence panels, posts, and C16 subframe materials at our Oldham and Salford branches. All structural timber is graded to C16 or C24, treated stock is held on the shelf rather than ordered in, and pricing is competitive for trade accounts and one-off projects alike.
Get in touch or visit a branch to talk through your requirements.