To DIY your deck or hire a professional
Carpentry Quotes
from local carpenters
A deck is a relatively easy and cost effective way to add value to your home and at the same time increase your space and comfort while you live there. In my view, having a deck is the Australian dream. There's nothing quite like beers and a BBQ on a beautiful deck.
To DIY your deck or hire a professional
Building your own deck does require some skill and experience. There are different types of decks and the difficulty level goes up if you choose a more aesthetic pattern than simple straight lines, and even further if you need to build around corners or your house itself is skew. Some companies will be happy to start the job off, give you some advice, and leave you to complete it and ask questions if you need more help. There are also loads of guides online and help from your local hardware store.
So really, the answer here is to work within your limitations, get help if you need it, and hand it over to a professional if you're all thumbs.
Check your deck
Before you start, ask about regulations and planning permission requirements at your local council office. Often deck structures, particularly those at the front of a house, do need permission from the council but it's a simple process to follow. To get this permission you'll need a drawing plan of the deck including dimensions, height above the ground, gradient of the ground beneath it and where the footings will go.
Here are some top tips to building your own deck, if you do decide to DIY
- Buy pressure treated wood or high quality wood - otherwise you'll be building it again in 5 years time
- Ask about regulations on post sizes, bearers and joist spans before you start - especially if there's going to be an inspector coming round. Check on both size and materials to use.
- Don't believe the measurements at the place you buy the lumbar - they're not always right. Usually a lumbar shop will be able to cut lumbar to size for you but if you take it home only to find it's slightly longer, you'll have to do it yourself or take it back to the shop.
- Because you're working outside, you'll need the right weather conditions too. Remember that untreated wood left outside can rot in the rain and if your project takes too long your materials can spoil.
- Wait until after a batch of rain to dig your post holes, as the ground will be softer and digging them will be less hard work.
- Don't work alone - there's lots of screwing to be done and a lot of it doesn't need a lot of skill, only direction.Perfect for the older kids. Also, an automatic screwdriver is a useful time and blister saver.
- Place your wood bark side up (you can see this at the ends of the boards and make sure that the rings curve upwards). This is a good way to get better drainage.
- Always finish your deck with a varnish or a water repellant preservative. There are loads available on the market and it's worth investing in a good one.
Carpentry Quotes
from local carpenters
