Building a New Deck Without Breaking the Bank

Does seeing photos of happy families relaxing on their backyard deck make you green with envy? If so, you’ll be glad to know that building a DIY deck is easier and less expensive than you think.

Not only does adding a deck expand your usable space, but it also adds measurable value to your home. While you can easily drop tens of thousands of dollars on a professional build-out, it’s not a requirement! With a little elbow grease, you can create a beautiful backyard deck that’s sure to make an impression. Follow these simple tips to build the deck of your dreams without breaking the bank.

DIY Outdoor Deck: Project Overview

How much does it cost to build a deck? Like most things, the answer to this question varies widely. Generally, to have a deck professionally installed, you can expect to pay $20 to $40 per square foot. This means that for a standard 300-square-foot deck, you’re looking at a cost of about $6,000 to $12,000. However, by doing your own labor and using some creative design tips, you can often build a deck for just a few thousand dollars.

The design and materials you choose will impact both the cost and the amount of time it will take you to build a deck. Generally, you can build a beautiful platform deck in a single weekend – especially if you can recruit a few friends to help.

How to build a deck without breaking the bankHow
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