Adding a deck to your home is a challenging project, and one not to take on lightly. If you do it wrong, chances are it will collapse.
Literally thousands of DIY decks collapse every year due to faulty installation.
However, if you can follow directions, are reasonably competent with a circular saw, tape measure, drill and jigsaw; this project is not out of reach.
Several years ago now, I owned a home improvement business. I've built many decks of varying sizes and complexity over the years, and I'll tell you things that many contractors won't, along with some things many don't do. When you are finished, you'll have a problem free, safe deck to be proud of.
The first thing you need to decide is the size you want. Costs average around six to seven dollars per square foot. So an 8x10 deck will cost anywhere from $500-$600 in materials, plus equipment rental. This is a general estimate; lumber costs vary greatly in different regions.
Freestanding decks have a different foundation layout than back porch styles, and are a lot more complicated to build. I strongly recommend using a contractor for this job, even if it is a simple square or rectangular deck. If you feel you can handle that, or something a little more complicated such as an octagon or hexagon, more power to you.
However, if you plan on going around a pool, or are considering a multilevel, please use a contractor. Otherwise, a freestanding deck amounts to adding another foundation in place of the wall, with some cross bracing involved and creative use of joists and bracing for those. Again, I strongly recommend hiring a contractor for this job.
Your city inspector will tell you whether you need a building permit and give you a small handout on what safety considerations need to be incorporated as well as how deep your foundations need to be placed.
Home Depot, in most areas, has a computer system that will give you a materials list, foundation placement guide, and some instructions on how your deck should go together.
Along with tips for the more complicated deck styles you may be thinking about. This can be a great help in deciding what will work best for you.
Once decided, you will need to stake out the area the deck will cover. This is a simple operation if you're adding a back porch style deck. You will need a string line level, and eight stakes for a deck smaller than10x15. Sixteen if you are over that size. These can be cut out of any scrap lumber that will be easy to push or hammer in the ground. Here's how you do it.
- Measure out two or three inches from your house and plant one stake in the center of your doorway; measure out from each side of your stake alongside the house to cover the distance you want. Plant a stake on each end; make sure your distance away from the house is the same.
- Next, measure out away from the house the distance you want from each stake you put in previously, and plant another stake. Use a square placed up against the house and a length of string tied tightly for the first corner, to get them as accurately placed as you can.
- Next, measure out for the next corner stake and run a string out to it, measure out from the house and plant your stake. Again, tie your string tight and secure.
- Next, plant your center stake along your string line, and measure to each outside corner for accuracy in its placement
- Next, run your string diagonally inside corners to outside corners, and the rest of the perimeter
- Next, and this is very important, take your string line level and make sure all your lines are level and the same height
From here on out you will use the string lines to take your measurements.
- Next, you check for square; measure from one corner stake diagonally to the opposite stake, and record your number. Then measure from the other corner stake to the opposite corner and compare your numbers. If they match, you're doing better than I do. Measurements do not need to match exactly. If you're ¼” off or maybe even 3/8” it's not going to be noticeable, unless you're building a porch or something of similar size.
- If they don't match you take the stake that is away from the house with the longest diagonal length and move it towards the other outside corner stake, making sure to keep your distance from the house the same. Keep moving it until your numbers match. If all you need is a minor adjustment, you can simply shove the stake over to get your match.
- Next, measure the outside corners to center and compare numbers, then measure inside corners to center and compare. If they agree, great you're done with this job. If not, check your distance away from the house for all your stakes, check your level line and measure diagonal corners again and compare. Adjust, and check centers again. The problem may be in the shorter line as well.
