Building My First Deck Lessons Learned

[@prixred80]

Great info, thanks .

[@Timsinterestingthings]

@@prixred80 thanks for watching. Good luck!

[@alansimpson6847]

Currently helping a friend build a deck we have purchased all the members from the same store and there are variations in width and thickness

[@Timsinterestingthings]

It's unavoidable. The best thing is to sort them by size to minimize high and low spots, especially on the joists. Good luck!

[@southparklion]

You can add blocking to use that warped board... or cut it up to use for blocking.

[@Timsinterestingthings]

Good question. I ended up using it for blocking. The highly warped sections I tossed.

[@southparklion]

@@Timsinterestingthings I figured, I thought that some of your viewers would like the idea. Great work.

[@coreyk2998]

Nice video - appreciate it!! Did you do anything regarding grading/ drainage prep under your deck prior to building?

[@Timsinterestingthings]

Thanks for the kind note. Since I am on a hill erosion is a bigger concern. To address that we will have stone under the deck with a barrier underneath. I also moved a gutter drain pipe from one corner to the other. That one has been an ongoing issue so I'll trench and pipe that. Hope that helps!

[@Timsinterestingthings]

Thanks for the compliment. Nothing in advance of beginning work. I will put a barrier down and gravel on the ground under the deck. There is also a drain pipe right next to where the stairs will end, I will do some underground pipe when I do the concrete work for the stair landing.

[@southparklion]

How much did you pay the draftsman?

[@Timsinterestingthings]

About $150. I found him on the internet, gave him the drawings I turned in for a permit (I took drafting in high school) some photos of the work area, the city I live in and some notes on things he needed to know. He asked a questions back to clarify and I had the drawings a few days later. Hope that helps.

[@BurtTMacklin-fbi]

How do I go about finding a draftsman? I thought you needed a structural engineer to make plans? How much did a draftsman cost to hire?

[@Timsinterestingthings]

Where I live, in Missouri, a small (mine is about 10 X 20) deck doesn't require an engineer unless there are unusual requirements. For example, a cantilever over 24" requires an engineer here, so mine is 23". I am sure there are other examples. Otherwise, a deck built to code and approved by the city inspector (who is an engineer) covers the bases in my area. Other states/municipalities may have different requirements. FYI, I passed the framing inspection on the first try. I'll post more about that soon. I don't remember how I came across him but his website is prodeckplans.com his name is Mike. He did a great job on the plans. I also asked him to do a materials list, but that wasn't great. The Lowe's Pro Desk did a better job. It cost around $150 and he had it done in a few days. I hope that helps! Good Luck.

[@samcoffeymusic]

Very helpful, thank you! (Nearly 4,000 views but just 53 likes??? Why are folks so stingy these days 😢)

[@Timsinterestingthings]

Thanks, thats very kind.

[@gregphillips4900]

For me it's the subtitles that were distracting

[@Timsinterestingthings]

@@gregphillips4900 Thanks for the feedback, it helps.

[@gregphillips4900]

@@Timsinterestingthings best of luck to you, my friend