Build a Deck from Scratch: Step‑by‑Step Action Plan
Follow this proven checklist to plan, permit, and frame a two‑level deck like a pro.
Based on: How to Build a Deck, Part 1 | Ask This Old House by This Old House
▶ Watch the source video on YouTube
Follow this proven checklist to plan, permit, and frame a two‑level deck like a pro.
Based on: How to Build a Deck, Part 1 | Ask This Old House by This Old House
▶ Watch the source video on YouTube
What if the only thing standing between you and a stunning backyard deck was knowing exactly what to do next?
Most homeowners who attempt a deck build hit the same wall: they watch a few videos, feel confident, then freeze the moment they're standing in the backyard with a pile of lumber and no clear starting point. Permits, footings, ledger boards, post spacing — every step feels like it could be the one that costs you thousands in mistakes. One wrong footing depth and the building inspector shuts you down. One incorrectly hung ledger and you're dealing with water damage inside your walls for years. The stakes are real, and the margin for error is thin.
Imagine instead walking out to your yard with a checklist in hand, knowing exactly where to string your layout lines, how deep to dig your footings for your frost line, how to use the 3-4-5 method to square your corners, and precisely how to flash and lag your ledger board so it lasts decades. Picture watching that two-level deck take shape — upper level for cooking and dining, lower level for lounging — exactly the way you planned it.
This checklist is built directly from the expertise of the team at This Old House, one of the most trusted names in home improvement for over 40 years. In this video, master carpenter Tom Silva walks through a real 20x20 two-level deck build from the ground up — covering permits, property surveys, batter board layout, footing depth, concrete column forming, post base installation, ledger board flashing, joist hanging, beam notching, and laser-level alignment. Every technique he shares is field-tested and code-aware, not theoretical.
This PDF checklist captures every single actionable step from the video in a clean, print-ready format you can take outside with you. No more pausing and rewinding. No more second-guessing whether you got the water-to-concrete ratio right or whether your lag bolts need to be staggered. It's all here, in order, with specific tool names, measurements, product details, and pro tips pulled straight from the source.
Grab the checklist, follow the steps, and start building the deck your backyard has been waiting for.
Every checklist item comes with actionable notes to guide you — things like "Don't forget to do this before you start," "Avoid this common mistake," or "Set a reminder for 30 days out." Nothing vague, just clear next steps.
+ 28 more action items inside...
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