Does anyone build decks?

PittSpeed Automotive PittSpeed Off Topic
1

I am looking to have my deck expanded. I just got one estimate that is a little higher than I would have hoped and my father in law thinks that him and I should just do it ourselves. Does anyone on here do this or know someone who is looking for some side work? It shouldn’t be too big of a job, I am just worried about doing the additional footers that will be needed.

2

I did my own with minimal help and it really wasn’t that difficult. I got one quote, didn’t like the price, and didn’t like the way they were going to do it (burying the posts instead of setting them on the concrete footer, etc). If you’re fairly competent with a drill, hammer, and a saw, you should be able to do it. Make sure to dig below the frost line, use a tube form if you’re anal like me, and bury an adjustable post anchor in the concrete to set the post on.

I have a couple general books with all the tables for joist spans, beam spans, post heights, etc. If you decide to do it yourself and want any of that info, just let me know.

3

Here’s some pictures if it helps.

![http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Concrete Posts(2).jpg](http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Concrete Posts(2).jpg)

![http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Concrete Post With Post Base(2).jpg](http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Concrete Post With Post Base(2).jpg)

![http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Post With Beam(2).jpg](http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Post With Beam(2).jpg)

![http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Beam With Blocking(2).jpg](http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/Beam With Blocking(2).jpg)

4

Jeff did it the right way…nice footers poured, and I bet they’re over-engineered! :slight_smile:

5

jeff why are you rotors for your car in the yard

6

…

7

To hold a tarp down.

8

Jeff,
Where exactly do you live? … Off of 51?

9

Very nice. I think I just need to add 2 more posts for the addition. The existing deck sits on brick wrapped posts and the joists go into the house at the top of the foundation. The more I think about it, this looks like a job we can handle.