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Planning a Deck

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You have decided that you’re ready for a backyard deck so now it’s time to start the planning process. Planning your new deck doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated. Whether you are hiring a contractor or building the deck yourself, your planning process will help you decide exactly what you want as well as the design that will be most useful. All you need are a few basic drawing tools and ideas of how you want to use your new deck.

A deck is one of the simplest projects in home construction, and most do-it-yourselfers can build one but the key is in the plan. Planning a deck doesn't have to involve an architect or a drafting professional. A hand-drawn sketch will be enough to purchasing materials, get a permit and guide construction if it's been properly sized and drawn for existing codes and lumber tolerance.

There are many concerns in building a deck, problems can crop up and a first-time deck builder should probably get professional or at least experienced help with the design. There's no substitute for a good plan and the more inexperienced the builder, the better the plan should be.

Here are a few basic steps to follow as you plan the construction of your new deck:

Create a project plan and include all of the elements and uses you anticipate.

Understand and draw your existing conditions.

Develop a graphic diagram based on the requirements of your project plan.

Create the design into an actual drawing or plan using the right size and scale.

Draw a construction document to build from including structure and equipment. If you are hiring a contractor, they will create the construction document based on your design. If you are building the deck, you will need to establish detailed structural information to complete the construction document.

Next Page: Design Considerations

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