Timber Decking in East Lothian and Tranent

What our garden decking and outdoor joinery covers

Every garden is different, so each deck is built to suit the space rather than from a standard kit. Sloping ground, awkward corners and changes of level are all part of the job.

Outdoor joinery goes hand in hand with decking, so we can build the parts that finish it off properly.

• Timber decking at ground level or raised for sloping gardens
• Steps, handrails and spindle balustrades
• Raised decks for split-level gardens
• Decks shaped around existing walls, borders and doors
• Repairs and rebuilds of tired or damaged decking

What to expect from the first visit to the finished deck

We start with a visit to your home to look at the site, the ground levels and how you want to use the deck. You will get honest advice and a free estimate, with no pressure.

Once you are happy, we plan the layout, the height and the materials, and we will tell you if anything needs checking with the council before work starts. We then build the frame, lay the boards, add steps and any balustrade, and leave the garden tidy.

One customer put it this way: "George responded quickly to my online enquiry, visited the site and provided an estimate which I considered to be fair and reasonable for the work involved." (James Allan). You can read more on our reviews.

Do you need planning permission or a building warrant for decking?

It depends on the height, the position and the property. Under Scottish householder permitted development rules (Class 3D), decks generally at the rear of the house are allowed where the floor level is no higher than 0.5 m and the total height, including any attached structures, is no more than 2.5 m. On sloping ground, the height is measured from the lowest point next to the deck. The 30 cm figure on many UK websites applies in England and Wales, not Scotland.

If your home is in a conservation area or the grounds of a listed building, the rules are tighter. The permitted footprint is capped at 4 m², and a listed building also needs listed building consent. East Lothian has several conservation areas, including Haddington and North Berwick, so check with East Lothian Council before you rely on national allowances. Tenants and shared owners need the landowner's permission.

A building warrant may also be needed for a deck or raised platform, so confirm this with East Lothian Building Standards. Building without required consent can mean a retrospective application, which carries a surcharge. We will point out anything to check before we start, but the final answer always comes from the council.

Choosing timber decking, finish and safety details

Pressure-treated timber is infused with preservatives to resist rot and insect attack, and it gives a warm honey-brown colour. Other timbers and finishes are available, and we will talk through what suits your garden and how much upkeep you are happy with. If you are weighing timber against other board types, ask us and we will give you a straight answer.

Surface and structure matter in a Scottish winter. A correct sub-base and a firm frame help a deck last, and grooved or textured boards give better grip underfoot. On raised decks, balustrades and handrails need to be the right height and strongly fixed, and we will check the current guidance for barriers with you.

Why use a local decking joiner in East Lothian

We have been trading from Tranent since 1989, and George works alongside his son Ross. We know the local ground, the weather and the council processes, and we are easy to reach if you have a question after the job is done.

We have been an East Lothian Trusted Trader since 2017 and are rated 5.0 from 63 reviews. See some of our recent work, or read about the areas we cover.