Building a deck....

[printman]

We also had those little "builder special" decks.  They are barely big enought to be call a deck but not big enough to do anyhting on.  So we decided to build it out 2 summers ago.  We extended it out by 16 feet (the lenght of 2 deck planks) and put in a 8 feet wide stairs.  Below are some pictures taken during "construction". 

This has to be one of the most enjoyable and fulfiling project I've done.  The Wife and I did it by ourselves and we both had a great time doing it.  My main source of guidance was the deck building book from Home Depot.  Very information and take you thru the entire process, from laying out your plans, foundation, to different type of stairs/railing/fencing.  I am not a carpenter or builder by profession (I am just a finance guy with a miter saw and a hammer) and I was totally up for it.  You can do it, too!

My best friend


Before


After


Of course, the last picture doesn't show the completed deck but you get the idea.  What you don't see is the railing going all the way around and down the stairs.  I also installed LED deck lights on the railing and stairs. 

Building Time:
Deck - 1 weekend
Stairs - 1 afternoon (all the measuring and calculation of rising vs run sucks)
Railing - 10 evenings (my fault.  the particular railing I set up was time consuming...)
Deck light - 1 afternoon (most time spent on the electrical)

Cost:
Deck building material - ~$1000
Deck lights - $80
Deck building book - $12
Miter saw - already have
Hammers - already have (wish I had a compressor and nail gun  )

Those deck blocks are a life saver, no holes.   Built mine as a low level floating deck built 1/4" from house so it was not attached. If it was I would need building permits and it could add to my home taxes.

[Goat_Herder]

I just read the oringial post again.  Yah, if your deck is 12 feet off the ground, it would be a different story than mine since structural and safety would be a bigger priority and shouldn't be taken lightly.  But I don't think it's undoable for you.  Although mine deck is only 3 feet off the ground, I did make sure that the deck is not cheaply built and is structurally sound. 

[Charlief]

$1500 is awefully cheap for a deck build including materials. Hell mine was 2300 just for materials  (14x16 1 story up) and I did all the work with a buddy.  I also have every tool available so the job went super easy.

If this was a ground level install I would say do it yourself.....but with the height involved I say hire a pro.

[TAftonomos]

$1500 is awefully cheap for a deck build including materials. Hell mine was 2300 just for materials  (14x16 1 story up) and I did all the work with a buddy.  I also have every tool available so the job went super easy.

If this was a ground level install I would say do it yourself.....but with the height involved I say hire a pro.

That quote is for the framing/materials only, not the decking and rails.  I don't think you could put decking and a railing down on a 20x20 deck for less than 2k in materials.

I plan on either buying the black aluminum ballisters, or buying a bunch of stainless tube (surplus) and making the ballasters (polished) myself.