How to Plan an Outdoor Deck
- 1). Survey the space that you wish to build a deck on. Decide exactly how big you want the deck to be and measure the available space. Take into account any obstacles that may have to be moved or built around, this includes the outdoor air conditioner.
- 2). Find a local business that rents equipment. You will need to dig holes for the deck's posts to go into. Depending on the size of your deck, these holes may have to be dug very deep. You can either use a manual post-hole digger, which can be very difficult to use, or you can rent an auger to dig the holes quicker and more efficiently.
- 3). Locate any cement that may be in the way of any of the post-holes. The post-holes have to be spaced out evenly at least every sixteen feet along the length and width of the deck. The cement may have to be dug into to make the post-hole. If this is the case, you can either cut the necessary space out of the cement by using a saw blade made to cut cement or you can drill five holes into the area you would like removed and then break up the cement using a sledge hammer.
- 4). Contact your local town before beginning to build your deck. Depending on where you live, you may need a permit to build your deck. Also, it is a good idea to have someone come out and mark where certain lines, cables or pipes may be running so you do not break into them when digging the post-holes.
- 5). Create the design and buy the necessary amount of wood and tools you will need. Most hardware stores offer deck design blueprints that will have all of this laid out for you. It will list the types and amount of wood you will need and will give easy to follow instructions. You will also need, a miter saw, nail gun or hammers and nails, drills, deck screws, levels, pencils and tape measures.
Source...