How to Build a Simple DIY Deck on a Budget

First off, this is very possible to accomplish on your own! I am not a professional carpenter or contractor, but this project is easy enough to do. (Just don’t underestimate the amount of time it takes to drill 768 screws!) But if you are adventurous enough, and have a few extra hands, building your very own deck is very possible!

Why build your own deck? For me, it came down to learning some new skills and saving lots of money! It is so extremely rewarding to stand on a deck that you have created with your own two hands. The bragging rights are unparalleled! And more importantly, you can save so much money! To pay someone to build a deck my size with typical materials would cost between $6,000 and $8,000! My deck came in under $900, since all I paid for was lumber, cement, and screws. Wow, right?

Let’s build a deck!

I wanted mine as low to the ground as possible, (mostly because I didn’t want stairs) so I dug down the cement deck piers closest to my house several inches, and the piers away from my house didn’t need to be dug at all. You should do one deck pier at a time, and be CONSTANTLY measuring the perfect distances, leveling each deck pier to each other, and being as meticulous as possible that everything is level!

Tips

• Place gravel at the bottom of each footing to minimize sliding.
• Use a long level on top of your joist beams to ensure your deck is perfectly flat.
• Also, don’t re-bury those deck piers until you have them all laid in your backyard, just in case you need to change a few.
• You do NOT want your wood touching the ground, so make sure the wood-slots aren’t too low in the ground that this will happen!

To do so, measure and cut each joist one at a time, in case there are any slight differences between the distances of your cement piers.

If your deck is large like mine, you will likely need to meet two joints onto one deck pier to reach the entire length of your deck. I have to mention the Ryobi miter saw I used was amazing for these large joists. It cut everything so smoothly, and even has a laser line that appears to make it extra easy for you. I love that saw so much!

For me, I decided to use 2 x 4 Douglas Fir wood (simple framing-wood), because it is inexpensive, but still extremely strong.

If you can get your hands on a wood planer, use it! It will make sure all your wood is the same height and also give those rough 2 x 4s a beautiful, smooth finish. Remember you only have to plane one side (the side that will be seen)!

Since this wood is not typical decking-wood, you need this extra step to keep the wood from rotting and decomposing any sooner.

Note that Douglas Fir may not be ideal for other climates, but dry climates (I live in Utah) should be just fine if you will waterproof the bottom of the wood first. You don’t need to waterproof the top, because we are going to stain/seal that side! I used Thompson’s Water Seal and a paint roller; just make sure to follow the instructions on the container!

This part is not rocket science, just takes a little bit of time. Some boards are a little warped, and may need two people holding it in place as you get the first few outdoor deck-screws in each board. Use ¼ in. tile spacers between your boards, and add two screws per joist. I used the Ryobi impact drivers because that wood is tough and you need something strong to put the screws in!

You may also need to use a jig saw like this Ryobi jig saw to cut around drain pipes, or fencing on the edge of your deck like I did.

Tip: Create yourself a simple template out of a see-through material so you know exactly where to place your screws, then they will line up perfectly.

This part is easy, just add 1 x 6 wood to the ends of your deck to give it a finished look.

I used pine because I couldn’t find Douglas Fir in that size.

I used a weatherproofing stain/seal on mine, and I’m already so happy with it! And, if you know me at all, I love the color white so much, so of course I stained my deck opaque white!

I did three thin coats to get that bright, white color.

Make sure you give plenty of time to dry between coats, and also a couple days of drying time before you place anything heavy on your deck so it has time to cure.

Tip: Use a paint edger so you don’t have to tape off the side of your house (tape doesn’t stick well, anyway, since it’s a rough surface!).

This is where all the magic happens, and all the amazing products I decorated with from The Home Depot really made this whole project come together. For more details and tips for creating a cozy and intimate space in your own backyard, see my new deck reveal here on The Home Depot Blog.

I used these Edison bulb outdoor lights, and these rattan lights to add variety, some gorgeous plants in terra cotta pots. The copper Weber grill is gorgeous, and really adds a sophisticated color to the space, as well as these matching white and copper lanterns.

And of course, the two largest staple-pieces to the whole thing is the stunning deck furniture and overhanging umbrella. The umbrella is extremely sturdy, and very functional. It allows you to change the angle, which will be amazing for those long, hot summer afternoons. And, I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the Hampton Bay Mill Valley Collection. It is steel-reinforced, weather-proof, and it’s actually quite comfortable as well! I highly recommend it!

Was it worth it?

Overall, creating my own deck was an incredible experience. One that I am so happy to have accomplished, if nothing else for the amount of money that it saved me! And, I didn’t have to cut any corners— I ended up with a stunning deck that is now ready to enjoy for the entire summer, and it only took a couple of days of work!

Was it a little scary purchasing hundreds of dollars of lumber for a project I’d never attempted before? Absolutely.

Had I ever used a miter saw before? Nope!

Did I screw more screws in a 48-hour period than my entire life combined? YES!

And it was worth every scary moment because now I have the most beautiful deck, for an amazing price, and I also learned so many new skills along the way. And I couldn’t have built this DIY deck without The Home Depot. Thank you to them for giving me the courage to try something new!