If building a deck is on your home improvement wish list, consider using recycled building material instead of lumber. These composites can be made of recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood—anything material reclamation engineers discover. The material is used by home and commercial builders, as well as what do-it-yourselfers can find at home centers and lumber yards. The material is splinter-free and won’t rot or crack; no stain or treatment is needed, so it requires little or no maintenance except a good power washing at the beginning and end of the season.
Create a make-believe deck to decide the size of a new deck using lines of rope or some garden hoses to make an outline of the space. Use pretend furniture like a table and chairs and any other things you envision on the deck. Push out the chairs to see how much room is needed, and wheel out a grill, planter box, or children’s wading pool to see how much space is required.
A deck builder charges $9,000, which includes labor and material, to build a one-level, 12-by-16-foot deck using composite decking material. A savvy homeowner with skills and tools can build the deck for $5,200, the cost of the material, and save 42 percent. The materials include composite decking, pressure-treated lumber (for the foundation) and screws. You'll need a circular saw and router, both with carbide-tipped blades, and basic measuring and carpentry tools.
Before making final decisions about the size and location of the deck, contact your local building department to find out what codes exist and what requirements are needed. Also, make sure you know the boundary of your property and any easement requirements, because you do not want to build a deck on part of your neighbor’s property.
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Pro Cost — DIY Cost — Pro time — DIY Time — DIY Savings — Percent Saved
$9,000 — $5,200 — 80 — 100 — $3,800 — 42 Percent
