Dear James: My kids are getting older, and a backyard deck would be great. I am on a limited budget and want to build it myself but have no idea where to start. Any tips? — Maria S.
Dear Maria: The addition of a deck, usually adjacent to a sliding glass door, is one of the most common home improvement projects. It can add much resale value to your house even if you pay to have someone build it. If you build it yourself and have only material costs, the return on the investment is tremendous.
Building a deck yourself is not a highly technical project, so most people can handle it. The most difficult part will be carrying and handling the heavy and bulky materials. Before you do anything, first plan your deck. This includes the size, material choices, built-in benches and tables, etc….