The following resources should prove useful if you want to build your own deck:
Deck Plans
There are several websites that offer plans as well as material lists and cost calculators for homeowners who are interested in building a new deck. Check out the details from the comfort of your home before heading out to shop for materials.
Do it Yourself Books
There is a good assortment of do it yourself books that also contain deck plans with step by step instructions and lists of necessary materials and tools. Some even offer a time frame, so you won’t get in over your head. A large deck or one with lots of levels or other details may take more than a weekend to complete.
Stair Building Plans or Kits
You can build stairs yourself if you measure and cut carefully, but it can be a little tricky. Instead, you might want to pick up stair plans. Personally, I think I’ll be grabbing a pre-cut stair kit and lumber for the risers at Home Depot this time around.
Sealer
If you’re using materials that need to be treated, don’t wait to apply water sealer or some sort of protective coating. The longer you wait, the higher the chances that your wood will become damp, develop mildew (or worse yet mold). Be sure to buy enough sealer to complete the project.
Reinforcements
Of course you want to carefully reinforce any structure you build, but this part is directed toward friends and family members you can persuade to lend a hand. The work will go quicker and more smoothly with some extra sets of hands. My brother and sister-in-law want to build a deck and so do we, so we’re all going to trade labor. We’ll help with their deck and then they’ll come over to help with ours. Even if someone else doesn’t need a new deck right now, they might have other projects they’d like help with, or they might just do you a favor (especially if you offer to throw a couple steaks on the grill afterward).