by Michael Bills

Created on: February 02, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

I'll start by saying that planning is the most important step. The more time spent planning the easier the project will go. It's always best to have a drawing first and most building codes require one for the permit. A basic drawing done on 1/4" scale is acceptable and you'll need a top view, side view and front view. The latter two are called "elevations" because they show how high the structure will be off grade. The drawings also help to determine an accurate material list.

To begin the building process we need to locate the footing placements. There are several methods to obtain this but I've found the easiest way is to first build the outside frame of the deck and support it temporarily with 2"x4" legs. The first member is the ledger. This will be attached to the side of your existing house using lag bolts. It's length is first cut to the width of the deck but you'll need to subtract 3" which is the width of the side box frame members. A 2"x6" board is actually an 1 1/2" x 5 1/2", so the thickness of the two side pieces equals 3"s. Once your length is determined you'll need to measure and find the exact center of the ledger board. Then mark is pencil and line this mark up with the center mark you'll need to put on the side of the house. Note: The existing siding on the house must be removed to receive the ledger and later put back on around the finished deck. The ends of the ledger will receive the outside frame boards. They can be nailed into place and supported on their far ends with 2"x4" legs.. level. These can be squared using a simple method called the 3, 4, 5. Any combination of these measurements creates a right angle. For example you will measure from right to left on the inside edge 6 feet down the ledger, then 8 feet out the right side frame board. At these point you will measure diagonally across and you must move the side frame board in or out to line it up with the 10 foot mark on your tape measure. 6, 8, and 10 are combinations of 3, 4, and 5. You must next duplicate this on the left side. You are then ready to attach the outside front box board. It will be the exact length of the ledger only you'll want to add the 3"s you earlier subtracted.

You now have a square and level box frame that is supporting itself temporarily. In each inside front corner we know there will be a footing, no guess work there! For the remaining footings you'll need to measure and divide. Normally the footings and posts are 6 feet apart. Find these and mark them on

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