Summer is looming and the DIY kings among you will be champing at the bit to get at those jobs you’ve been unable to do in the rain.  And for many that will mean finally sorting out  that longed for deck.

If you want to build a simple deck from a pre-designed deck plan and you have basic carpentry skills, it’s a plausible DIY project.

Don’t take the building lightly, though, or get overconfident – you want to spend summer on the deck – not in the hospital.

Free-Standing Decks

Free-standing decks are probably the easiest kind of decks to build. Deck building of this sort has one huge advantage. It doesn’t require the removal of siding and properly attaching the deck to your home.

This can be an unwarranted challenge for someone who has only basic carpentry skills.

Even with a small, free-standing deck you’ll need to check with the council  to make sure your deck building falls within the confines of the building code and doesn’t need special permits.  

Free-standing decks have the disadvantage of needing structural support on each side of the deck. A deck affixed to the side of your home can use your home for support on that side.

Materials and Tools

Most DIYers have a decent repertoire of tools at their disposal, but you should make sure you have the right tools and materials specifically for deck building.

It’s hard to make a comprehensive list without a specific deck plan, so make sure you check your plan and  figure out exactly what you need before you get started.

And if in doubt – get a professional.  The only thing worse than a deck that has never been started is one that is only half finished.  If the job looks to complicated, difficult or just plain scary, get a couple of quotes from your local builders and get it built.  Most decks are a major home improvement project that you’ll want to last for a long time.

Building a basically sound deck is great, but only superior craftsmanship is going to enable that deck to stay in usable condition 10, 20, even 30 years after the installation.

The straighter the angles, the tighter the screws, the deeper the posts — it all affects the longevity of your deck.

Remember when calculating the true cost of a major home improvement project that you should take into account the time you’ll save by hiring a contractor and the added value to your home of a project that’s under warranty.