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Hi Josh
you can work a formula for anything to get a rough estimate however i don't think the main forum is best placed to ask for detail etc,
the thing you need to factor in when trying to work out formulas is that some materials don't like to play ball with the lenghts you purchase them in etc so a set SQM price could still be out.
back in the day i would refuse an on the spot estimate because the customer would take that at value, this could then win / lose you the job on an off the head figure that could be over or under the actual cost of the job.
best off being able to go home and sit down to write up your quotes / estimates without pressure and can then send on with your T&C's laid out explaining the cost's as best you can.
Thats what ive been doing today, sat at my desk with a pad, calculator and a laptop. this is my first deck so im just trying to get my head around quantities and costing etc
do not forget to add 10% for materials as there will be some waste like offcuts and timber that you cannot use either bent or knotts
There are a couple of uk material / supplier based deck configuration web sites that will give a costed bill of quantities (retail, inc vat) that can be used for a sanity check but obviously this is just for materials inc steps, ironmongery, bullstrades, steps etc and really only works for standard construction decks.