Decking and pergolas in the City of Melton
Updated November 2026
A deck or pergola turns a back step into somewhere to sit. On the new estates of the City of Melton it is often the first structure after the turf goes down, and in the older eastern suburbs it is often a timber deck from the early 2000s being replaced. We pass your request to a local landscaper who works your suburb. We are a referral service, not a landscaping business.
Decks
- Hardwood. Looks and feels like timber because it is. Needs oiling to keep its colour. National 2026 guides put hardwood decking at about $275 to $545 per square metre ex GST.
- Composite. Little maintenance and no oiling, at a higher material price. Check the manufacturer's spacing and ventilation rules.
- The frame. Treated pine or steel subframes on footings. The frame decides how long the deck lasts, so ask what it is and how it is fixed.
Pergolas and shade
Open pergolas, roofed patios, louvred systems and shade sails. A roofed structure is a different job from an open pergola, because it collects water and carries more load.
Footings on basalt clay
The basalt clays of Melbourne's west shrink and swell with the seasons, which engineers describe as damaging to light structures. A deck is a light structure. Footing depth, keeping water away from the posts, and ventilation under the deck are the questions to ask.
Permits
The Building and Plumbing Commission's position is that building work needs a building permit unless an exemption applies under the Building Regulations 2018. Pergolas associated with houses are among the possible exemptions it lists, with conditions. A deck's height, size and position, and whether a structure is roofed, can all change the answer. Councils and registered building surveyors apply the rules, so ask the landscaper to say in writing whether your job needs a permit.
Registration and insurance
Decks and pergolas are structural landscaping. Under a domestic building contract worth more than $10,000 the work must be carried out by a practitioner registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission. For contracts from 1 July 2026, Victoria's home warranty insurance generally applies to eligible domestic building work valued at more than $20,000. Ask whether your job needs either.
Bushfire
If your block is in a designated bushfire prone area, the materials and detailing for a deck can be affected. Ask your landscaper or a registered building surveyor to check.
Near a pool
A deck or step beside a pool barrier can become a climbable object. If the work is near the pool, ask for the barrier to be checked against Victoria's barrier rules.
Frequently asked questions
Does a deck need a permit in Victoria?
It can, depending on its height, size and position. The rules are in the Building Regulations 2018. A registered building surveyor or your council can confirm.
Hardwood or composite?
Hardwood costs less up front and needs oiling. Composite costs more and needs little upkeep. Both need a sound frame.
Can I replace the boards on an old deck?
Often, if the frame and footings are sound. Ask the landscaper to check the frame before quoting boards alone.
Does a pergola need a permit?
Pergolas associated with houses are among the exemptions the Building and Plumbing Commission lists, but conditions apply. Roofed structures are more likely to need one. Check before you build.