How long does it take to build a deck yourself?

The average deck runs about $7,000. You can save most of that cost by putting in some serious time and sweat equity. A 12 x 24-foot one typically requires two people to complete and will take anywhere from one to three weeks depending on experience and skill level.

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Then, can you build a deck without pressure treated wood?

Yes, you can use untreated wood to build a deck, but not without preparing it first. You can't, of course, pressure treat it yourself, but you will need to seal; the wood and stain/paint it to ensure the wood is ready to take on the harsh external weather. One may also ask should i paint deck boards before install? Should you Pre-stain New Wood Before Install? The simple answer is No. Building a new wood deck or replacing some boards on an existing deck obviously requires using new wood. As you probably know the new wood will need to be treated with a wood stain to protect it from the elements.

What is the cheapest deck to build?

Pressure-treated wood, or chemical-treated wood, decks are generally the cheapest material to build decks with. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don't forget long-term costs. Is it cheaper to build your own deck? When you construct a basic deck with the least expensive lumber on the market, you will probably pay between $8-10 for every square foot of area if you build it yourself. But, if you hire someone to build it, you could end up paying as much as $25 per square foot.

Does a deck add value to a home?

Here's a good one: many homeowners recoup a significant amount of the money they invest in their deck because the deck adds to the resale value of their home. In fact, a survey from Home Remodeling magazine found that composite decks return about 74% of their original cost and wood decks return about 87%, on average.