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4.9 4.9 Star Rating
3,621 reviews

Deck Builders Melbourne

A deck earns its keep fast: somewhere to eat outside on a weeknight, host a crowd on the weekend, or just to get the kids off their screens for an hour.

O’Shea Trades has been building in Melbourne backyards since 1978, and our experienced residential carpenters bring that same fixed-price, licensed-trade approach to every job. We’re one of the deck builders Melbourne locals turn to, handling everything from a small ground-level refresh to a full pool surround. With nearly 50 years in Melbourne homes, we manage design, permits and the build under one roof.

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4.9 4.9 Star Rating
3,621 reviews
We have helped over 50,500 Melbourne homeowners over 48 years.
Restored merbau front verandah deck on white weatherboard Victorian home

Restored merbau front verandah deck on white weatherboard Victorian home

Restored merbau front verandah deck on white weatherboard Victorian home
New hardwood backyard deck with timber steps on brick house

New hardwood backyard deck with timber steps on brick house

Freshly oiled verandah deck with white turned posts and decorative lacework

Freshly oiled verandah deck with white turned posts and decorative lacework

Charcoal steel pergola over timber deck beside bifold doors

Charcoal steel pergola over timber deck beside bifold doors

Charcoal steel pergola over timber deck beside bifold doors

Deck Types

Not every backyard suits the same style of deck. The right one comes down to your block, your budget and how you actually want to use the space.

Ground Level

Sits low, close to the existing ground line. Fewer engineering demands than an elevated build, and usually the quickest, most cost-effective way to add outdoor living space.

Elevated

Suits a sloping block, or a deck built at floor height for indoor-outdoor flow. Needs heavier framing, deeper footings and, in most cases, a balustrade.

Pool Surround

Wraps around an existing or new pool, planned alongside your pool’s safety barrier rather than as an afterthought. As pool deck builders, we design the two together for a result that’s both safe and easy to move through.

Wrap-Around

Runs along two or more sides of the house, tying an entertaining zone to a side path or garden. Takes more thought around drainage, fall and how each face of the house gets used.

Materials

The material you choose shapes the look, the upkeep and how long your deck lasts.

  • Merbau: A popular Australian hardwood with a deep red-brown tone. Durable and reasonably priced for a hardwood, though it can bleed tannin in the first heavy rains.
  • Spotted gum: A native hardwood valued for its strength and standout grain, ranging from pale honey to grey. A common pick for homeowners after a premium, long-lasting finish.
  • Treated pine: The most budget-friendly starting point, and a fair choice for a first deck, though it asks for more frequent upkeep than a hardwood.
  • Composite: A blend of timber fibre and recycled plastics. Resists fading and splintering and never needs oiling, making it a favourite low-maintenance decking builder recommendation for busy households.

We’ll walk you through what suits your project during your quote, weighing budget, sun exposure and how much upkeep you’re up for.

Maintenance and Oiling

Regular care is what keeps a deck looking sharp and holding up structurally, year after year.

Hardwood decking such as merbau or spotted gum wants an oil coat once or twice a year, more often on faces that cop heavy sun or foot traffic. Oiling tops up the natural oils Melbourne weather strips out, keeping greying and splitting at bay. Treated pine follows a similar rhythm, usually with a protective stain rather than a straight oil.

Composite skips oiling altogether; a wash with warm soapy water is generally all it needs, part of its appeal for anyone after decking Melbourne conditions won’t punish if you fall behind on maintenance.

Whichever material you land on, clearing debris from the gaps and giving fixings a once-a-year check goes a long way toward heading off bigger repairs.

Our Build Process

Every deck project runs through the same stages, from a simple ground-level build to a full pool surround.

  1. Connect

    Reach out and tell us roughly what you’re picturing, even if it’s not fully formed yet.

  2. Consult

    We come out to walk the site, check fall and access, and talk materials and layout with you in person.

  3. Quote

    You get a fixed number covering labour, materials and any permit costs, in writing, before anything is locked in.

  4. Permits

    Where a permit applies, we prepare and lodge it on your behalf.

  5. Build

    Our carpenters get to work on the agreed dates, bringing in other trades if the deck needs lighting, power or drainage work.

  6. Handover

    We walk the finished deck with you and sort out any final tweaks before calling it done.

Indicative Cost Bands

Every deck is priced individually based on footprint, material and site conditions. Here’s a ballpark to work from while you’re still weighing up options.

$15,000 – $25,000

Basic ground-level deck

Treated pine, simple footprint.

$25,000 – $35,000

Mid-range elevated or hardwood deck

Merbau or spotted gum, standard balustrade.

$35,000 – $45,000+

Large or pool surround deck

Composite or hardwood, barrier work included.

Figures are a guide only. Your fixed quote is confirmed in writing after we walk the site.

Service Area

Our decking team covers the same footprint as the rest of O’Shea Trades, from the inner east through to the eastern, south-eastern, northern and western suburbs.

Shade often comes up in the same conversation as decking. If your project could use both, our pergolas Melbourne team can scope the whole job together.

Why Choose O’Shea for Your Decking Services

Picking the right builder matters when it’s your backyard and a structure that needs to stand up to Melbourne weather for years. Our decking services give you:

  • Full builder registration sitting alongside our plumbing and electrical licences, so structural work never has to leave the business
  • Any wiring or plumbing your deck needs handled by our own tradespeople, not a subcontractor we’ve just met
  • One number for the whole job, permits included, settled before the first post goes in
  • A single point of contact from the first sketch through to the last board
  • A genuine guarantee on the finished work, not just a handshake

Decking FAQs

Do I need a permit to build a deck in Victoria?

Most decking work needs a building permit, attached or freestanding. Height, footprint and council zoning can all affect exactly what’s required.

What’s the best decking material for Melbourne weather?

Hardwoods like merbau and spotted gum give a premium look with some seasonal care. Composite asks for the least upkeep. Treated pine is the most affordable if you don’t mind more frequent maintenance.

Do I need a permit for a deck around my pool?

Yes, and it also has to work with your pool’s safety barrier rather than get in its way. We plan both together so the result is properly signed off.

How often should I oil my deck?

Hardwood decking generally wants an oil coat once or twice a year, more in spots with heavy sun or foot traffic. Composite doesn’t need oiling at all.

How long does a deck build take?

Timeframes vary with scope. A basic ground-level deck is often wrapped up within a few weeks, whereas elevated builds, pool surrounds, and bigger projects need more time for footings, permits and material lead times.

Can I spread the cost of my deck over time?

Yes. We offer flexible payment plans for your new deck through our humm finance partner, subject to approval.

Let’s Get Your Deck Sorted

From a simple ground-level deck to a full pool surround, our deck building team manages the permit and stands behind the finished work with a genuine guarantee.

Planning something bigger than just the deck? Have a look through home renovations in Melbourne we’ve completed, or browse all our trade services to see what else could run alongside it.

Give us a call on 03 9937 0404 or send through a quote request online, and we’ll book in a time to walk the site for your deck in Melbourne.

LET’S GET YOUR
JOB SORTED

Contact O'Shea Trades today for a fixed quote on whatever the job calls for, whether it's a routine maintenance booking, a planned renovation, or an emergency call-out. The Melbourne tradies you can rely on, seven days a week.

Call us now on 03 9937 0404 to book a quote or request a free site inspection.

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