Garden decking in Tavistock, Devon
Decks, steps and rails built for Devon weather.
Good decking creates a natural extension of your home—a welcoming space to relax, eat outdoors and enjoy your garden. At Colt Carpentry Devon, Kevin builds timber decking to suit your property, making the most of everything from a small courtyard to a sloping garden.
Every project starts with careful planning and a solid, well-supported framework, followed by neatly fitted boards and attention to the finishing details. Whether you need a completely new deck, replacement decking, or steps and handrails for easier access, Kevin brings practical experience and care to every stage.
Working across Devon and Cornwall, Colt Carpentry Devon creates attractive, practical outdoor spaces built for everyday use and enjoyment.
What's involved
First visit and measure
Kevin visits your garden to discuss your ideas, take accurate measurements and offer honest advice on what will suit the space, along with a clear estimate of the likely cost.
A properly written quote
A properly written quote covering the whole job, with an agreed start date and prompt, honest communication if the weather affects the schedule.
Posts, frame and boards
Posts and rails carefully set out, with posts concreted into the ground where required and allowed to cure. The frame is levelled and checked before decking boards are fitted
Rails, steps and handover
Handrails and steps carefully fitted, every detail checked, and the site left clean and tidy. Kevin walks you through the finished work to make sure you’re happy before calling the job complete.
Materials
- Pressure-treated redwood joists, rated for ground contact
- Grooved or smooth boards, chosen for the site
- Concrete post anchors set well below the turf
How long it takes
A straightforward garden deck is four to six days on site. A raised deck on a slope, with steps and rails, runs eight to ten, and the concrete wants two clear days to cure, so most jobs split into two visits.
What it costs
- Ground-level deck, boards and frame
- from £2,200
- Raised deck on a slope
- from £3,800
- Steps with a handrail
- from £650
Every job is different. Call Kevin for a price on yours.
Common questions
How long will a timber deck last in Devon weather?
Built on a proper frame with treated timber and stainless fixings, the structure should see out twenty years. The boards wear first: oiled every year or two they stay good far longer than boards left bare.
Do I need planning permission for decking?
Usually not. A deck close to the ground and under half the garden is normally permitted development. Raised decks and boundaries can need a word with the council, and Kevin will tell you at the first visit if yours is one of them.
Should I choose softwood or hardwood boards?
Treated softwood is the sensible default: it costs less, takes oil well and repairs cheaply. Hardwood costs more and rewards it in wear. Kevin fits both and will say plainly which suits your garden and budget.
Can you build a deck on sloping ground?
Yes, slopes are most of the work around here. The deck stands level on posts of different heights, each one set properly below the surface, with steps and rails where the fall needs them.
Will the decking be slippery in winter?
Any board is slippery under wet leaves. Grooved boards, sensible gaps and a sweep now and then deal with nearly all of it, and a shaded deck under trees can take an anti slip oil.
Can you repair my existing deck instead of replacing it?
Often, yes. If the frame underneath is sound, new boards or a partial repair can save most of the cost. Some problems only show once boards are lifted, so it starts with an honest inspection.
Advice from the workshop
Ready to talk it through?
Kevin covers Devon and East Cornwall. Call for an honest word on what your job needs.