Adding a deck to your home can be a fun DIY project, but it can also be quite expensive. It does not have much skill, but you have to be able to do simple calculations, move pieces of wood and operate the saw and drill. If your deck is to be lifted, you will need to mount beams on the floor. Before you begin, determine your budget and estimate how much the project will cost.

Instructions:

1. Plan the size of your terrace. The simplest deck to plan and build is rectangular that is connected directly to your house. However, if you want to be more creative, you can build a cover in almost any way. Keep in mind that the more curved and harder angles of the deck will be to build and the more time and money you will have.
2. Determine the approximate square feet of your deck. If you are building a simple rectangular terrace, multiply the length by width. If you want to add more angles or curves, the edges are extended to make a rectangle. The extra pieces probably end up as scrap, so do not try and calculate those as usable wood.
3. Research the cost of your wood decking. If you are using two by six, for example, know how much these cards cost at your local home improvement store.
4. Determine the number of deck parts you need. Use the length and width of a rectangular cover to make an approximation. Consider the length of the deck and the wood you are buying. For example, if you are making a deck that is 10 by 14 feet and can only get 12 feet of wood, plan on 2 feet of scrap from each board. Multiply this number by the cost determined in step 3. Add in the cost of the wood to determine the base support cost.
5. Determine the extra parts you need. These include steps, built-in seats, handrails or other “extras”. Price each piece and add everything to determine your extra costs.
6. Calculate the total costs by multiplying the cost basis times 1.5 (for hardware and various costs), then add an extra cost. This will give you a good estimate for the cost of the materials. To determine labor costs, double the total cost.

Tips & Warnings

• This is an estimate, so your figures do not need to be accurate.