Example: garden deck

Materials list · v1

Raised timber deck 4.0m x 3.0m, 45cm high, balustrade on two sides

Raised timber deck attached to house (ledger fixed) 4.0 × 3.0 m, deck level ≈ 450 mm above lawn, balustrade (900 mm high) on outer 4.0 m edge and one 3.0 m short side.

Checked against your spec — 6 checks passed.

What it was asked to show

Rectangular deck 4.0 m long (along the house) × 3.0 m deep (out from the house).
Deck level approximately 450 mm above the lawn (knee/head relationship visible).
Ledger fixed to the house along the full 4.0 m side; the remaining two short sides and the outer edge are open to the lawn except where balustrade is fitted.
Balustrade (900 mm high above the finished deck) runs along the outer 4.0 m edge and along the short 3.0 m side on the right-hand side (when facing the house) — the opposite short side is open.
Structure is supported on eight vertical 100 × 100 mm posts rooted in ground-mounted adjustable metal post-base brackets spaced under the deck perimeter and internal bearer positions.
Decking boards run along the 4.0 m length (boards butted to give a 3.0 m deck width); joists run across the 4.0 m span at 400 mm centres beneath the decking (visible gaps between joists at underside).
Not: No people, tools, ladders or construction equipment in the scene (finished installation only).
Not: Do not show extra steps or a ramp — the deck sits at one level ~450 mm above the lawn with no steps visible.
Not: No furniture, planters, potted plants or lighting fixtures on or around the deck.
Not: Do not show railings on the house side or on the short side opposite the specified 3.0 m balustrade — that short side must be open.
Not: No text, logos, or measurement overlays on the image.

An impression generated from your materials list, not a drawing to build from — proportions and details will differ from the real thing.

Materials

47 items

Groundworks & footings · 2

1
Postcrete rapid-setting concrete8 x 20 kg bags
20 kg bagFix and set 8 ground-mounted post bases in holes under the deck posts
3 options — you only need one
2
Gravel for post pads0.05 m³ (approx 50 L)
Coarse drainage layer under each post base / hole
3 options — you only need one

Sub-frame timber · 4

3
100 x 100 mm tanalised timber posts8 (1.2 m lengths)
100 x 100 mm x 1.2 mVertical posts supporting bearers (cut to ~1.0 m finished height to set deck ≈450 mm above lawn)
3 options — you only need one
4
47 x 150 mm C16 tanalised timber (bearers & ledger)3 lengths of 4.8 m
47 x 150 mm x 4.8 m (trade size)Ledger fixed to house (4.0 m) and two main bearers under joists (cut to length)
2 options — you only need one
5
47 x 100 mm C16 tanalised joists12 lengths of 3.0 m
47 x 100 mm x 3.0 mJoists across 4.0 m span at 400 mm centres (11 runs required + 1 spare)
2 options — you only need one
9
End-grain preservative250 mL bottle
250 mLProtect cut ends of pressure-treated timber (posts/joists/bearers) after cutting
2 options — you only need one

Balustrade · 2

6
47 x 75 mm tanalised rails (balustrade rails)6 lengths of 2.4 m
47 x 75 mm x 2.4 mTop and bottom rails for balustrade on 4.0 m and 3.0 m edges (total ≈14 m needed; lengths cut and joined)
2 options — you only need one
7
Stainless steel balusters, 900 mm56
900 mm lengthVertical spindles for balustrade to meet 100-125 mm spacing (outer 4.0 m + 3.0 m sides)
2 options — you only need one

Decking · 1

8
Decking boards, pressure-treated softwood, 140 x 20 mm25 boards of 4.8 m
140 x 20 mm x 4.8 mDecking boards run along 4.0 m length; quantity allows for ~10% waste and cutting to 4.0 m runs to cover 3.0 m width
2 options — you only need one

Fixings & brackets · 10

10
Galvanised/steel post base brackets (adjustable)8
suitable for 100x100 postsMetal base to bolt post to concrete footing or pad and raise timber clear of ground
3 options — you only need one
11
Galvanised joist hangers12
suit 47x100 joistsSupport joist ends where they meet bearers/ledger
3 options — you only need one
12
Galvanised coach screws (for ledger)8
10 x 120 mm coach screwFix ledger to house masonry (use with wall plugs or chemical anchors as required)
2 options — you only need one
13
Masonry wall plugs / chemical anchors8
suitable for 10 mm coach screwFix ledger into masonry. Choose standard expansion plugs for solid wall or chemical resin for hollow/weak walls
3 options — you only need one
14
Structural timber screws for joists to bearers1 box (200) 8 x 160 mm
8 x 160 mmFix joists to bearers where hangers not used and for general structural connections
No close match in the catalogue for this one.
15
Stainless steel decking screws (self-drilling, anti-corrosion)3 boxes (300) 4.8 x 50 mm
4.8 x 50 mmFix decking boards to joists (approx 25 boards × ~11 joists locations = ~275 fixings; boxes allow waste/spares)
2 options — you only need one
16
Stainless steel screws for balustrade1 box (100) 4 x 40 mm
4 x 40 mmFix baluster connectors and rails to posts
3 options — you only need one
17
Adjustable post caps / handrail newel connectors6
suitable for 100x100 posts and 47x75 railsSecure handrail rails to posts and provide tidy top fixings
3 options — you only need one
26
Decking hidden-fix clip system (optional for clean finish)1 pack (approx 200 clips)
clip to suit 140 mm deckingOptional concealed fixings to fix board edges where preferred (else use decking screws)
3 options — you only need one
30
Exterior grade stainless steel washers & nuts (for coach screws)Pack of 20
suit 10 mm coach screwsSecure ledger/structural coach screws with corrosion resistant washers and nuts
3 options — you only need one

Waterproofing & DPM · 1

18
Damp-proof membrane / plastic groundsheet (DPM) under decking edge1 roll 2 m x 10 m
2.0 m x 10 m rollProtect timber elements that sit near soil/lawn and provide weed barrier under area where required
3 options — you only need one

Finishes & coatings · 5

19
Exterior wood primer (for cut ends and bare timber prior to oil)2.5 L
2.5 L tinPrime deck boards and rails before first coat of decking oil if required by oil manufacturer
3 options — you only need one
20
Decking oil / exterior wood protector5 L
5 LFinish and protect decking boards and balustrade. Coverage ≈ 8–12 m²/L (allow 2 coats).
3 options — you only need one
21
Exterior grade wood filler1 tube or 250 g tub
250 gFill small defects in decking boards and rails before finishing
3 options — you only need one
29
Wood-cleaning solution (deck cleaner)1 L
1 LClean new decking surface before first oil coat if required
3 options — you only need one
32
Touch-up timber stain pens / small brush set1 small set
Repair small marks and touch up cut edges after installation
2 options — you only need one

Consumables · 9

22
Exterior silicone sealant (neutral cure)2 tubes 300 mL
300 mL cartridgeSeal junctions at house ledger and between timber and masonry where needed
2 options — you only need one
23
Exterior wood glue / polyurethane adhesive1 cartridge 310 mL
310 mL cartridgeAdhesive where required for balustrade joints and trims
3 options — you only need one
24
Sandpaper assortment (coarse, medium, fine)Pack of 10 (various grits: 40/80/120/240)
Preparation of timber surfaces and smoothing cut edges before finishing
3 options — you only need one
25
Exterior wood preservative / fungicide (for bare timber if needed)1 L
1 LTreat any bare or cut timber prior to finishing where specified
3 options — you only need one
27
Masking tape1 roll 50 mm x 50 m
50 mm x 50 mMask edges before finishing and protect adjacent brickwork during staining/oiling
3 options — you only need one
28
Mixed abrasive discs / blades (for cutting timber on circular/mitre saw)2 saw blades (80-tooth fine finish timber blade)
184–216 mm blade (match saw)Clean cuts to decking and rails; fine-tooth blades for reduced splintering
3 options — you only need one
31
Cable clips (for exterior lighting / future electrics)1 pack 50
Secure any low-voltage lighting cable; small allowance for future wiring clips
2 options — you only need one
33
Disposable dust sheets / ground protection2 (approx 2m x 3m each)
2m x 3mProtect lawn/paths during construction and catching cuttings
3 options — you only need one
34
Screwed timber packers (plastic or treated wood) for levellingPack of 20 assorted
assorted thicknessesShims to level bearers and joists during installation
3 options — you only need one

Tools · 8Reusable — you may already have these

35
Concrete mixing shovel1
Mix postcrete/gravel for post holes
3 options — you only need one
36
Mitre saw (or high-quality drop saw) for accurate repetitive cuts1
Cut decking boards, rails and posts to length and accurate angles
3 options — you only need one
37
Cordless impact driver / drill (18V) with bits1
18V classDrive screws (decking screws, structural screws) quickly and accurately
3 options — you only need one
38
Circular saw (track or freehand) for long ripping where needed1
Cut long runs of decking and boards where mitre saw not usable
3 options — you only need one
39
Spirit level 1.2 m1
1.2 mSet levels for ledger, bearer and finished deck surface
3 options — you only need one
40
Socket set / wrench set (for coach screws & post bases)1 set
Tighten coach screws, nuts and bolts on post bases and brackets
2 options — you only need one
41
Tape measure 8 m (tool)1
8 mAccurate measuring while installing framing and decking
3 options — you only need one
42
SDS drill + masonry bit set (only if using chemical anchors)1
Drill masonry holes for ledger anchors if required
3 options — you only need one

Safety & PPE · 5Reusable — you may already have these

43
Work gloves heavy-duty (PPE)2 pairs
size LHand protection for cutting, fixing and mixing concrete
3 options — you only need one
44
Safety glasses (PPE)2
Eye protection when cutting timber and drilling
2 options — you only need one
45
Ear defenders (PPE)1 pair
Hearing protection when using saws and drills
3 options — you only need one
46
Dust mask / respirator FFP2 (PPE)2
FFP2Protection during cutting/sanding timber
3 options — you only need one
47
Hi-vis work vest (PPE)1
size LGeneral site safety during construction
3 options — you only need one

Assumptions

builderG inferred these. If any are wrong, say so in the conversation and regenerate.

Deck attaches to a sound masonry house wall at the 4.0 m side via a ledger fixed with coach screws. If the wall is timber-frame or has a cavity, chemical anchors or different fixings will be required.
Deck boards run along the 4.0 m length (boards cut to 4.0 m from 4.8 m stock); board width chosen 140 mm x 20 mm. 10% waste allowance applied to decking and timber lengths.
Joists are spaced at 400 mm centres across the 4.0 m width giving 11 joist runs; 12 joist lengths supplied (1 spare). Joist lengths are 3.0 m (stock 3.0 m).
Bearers and ledger specified as 47 x 150 mm C16 treated timber in 4.8 m stock lengths (cut back to 4.0 m); three lengths are supplied to allow for cutting and overlaps.
Posts: 8 x 100x100 posts in 1.2 m length then cut to provide finished deck height ≈450 mm above lawn after accounting for bearer depth and post-base. This gives posts long enough to cut and seat into post bases with some upstand for connectors.
Post footing: 8 postcrete 20 kg bags (one per hole) assumed adequate for shallow domestic post holes of ~300 mm diameter x ~300 mm depth in firm ground. If ground is soft or frost-prone a deeper concrete footing will be required and quantity increases.
Balustrade on two sides = outer 4.0 m long side + one adjacent 3.0 m short side. Balustrade height 900 mm above finished deck. Baluster spacing assumed ≈125 mm centres giving 56 balusters; change spacing if local regulations require different spacing.
Stainless-finish fixings specified for deck surface corrosion resistance. Quantities for screws/clips include ~10% overage for waste and replacement.
Hidden-fix clip pack supplied as optional. If the user prefers face-fix only, reduce hidden-fix quantity and increase decking screw count.
A 10% material waste allowance applied to timber and sheet items (decking, joists, rails). A 5% allowance applied to aggregates (gravel).
No allowances included for external lighting, electrical supply, or gas connections — only cable clips for future low-voltage runs. If electrical work is required, use a qualified electrician and add suitable conduit, cables and switches.
No structural engineer sign-off assumed. For elevated decks >600 mm, larger spans, glazed walls or where load-bearing concerns exist, seek structural engineering advice. This deck is ~450 mm high and designed with conservative joist sizing at 400 mm centres for domestic loads.
Stock lengths used are standard UK sizes: 3.0 m joists, 4.8 m decking/long timbers, 2.4 m rails. Quantities rounded to whole pieces purchasable at merchant.
Primer and first oil coat assumed; two coats of decking oil planned for protection (coverage of oil assumed per manufacturer).

Please note that while builderG provides recommendations based on the input provided, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure the suitability and safety of the materials for your specific project. We recommend consulting a qualified professional or conducting additional research before making any purchasing decisions.

Like this? Describe your build and builderG will do the same for it — itinerary, products and costs, in about a minute.Create a free account