How To Build A Deck or Gazebo: Planning & Permits

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How To Build A Deck: The First Steps

The first steps in deciding how to build a deck or gazebo require finding out about the local building codes and the permitting process. In this first section on how to build a deck or gazebo, we cover the important questions you need to find answers to before the first rough sketch goes down on paper. Along the way, we'll share a couple of pointers we picked up that will make getting along with your local building inspector much easier. After you know what all the parameters are, this section concludes with the first physical step of how to build a deck or gazebo by showing you a method for quickly and accurately laying out your project using string lines.

How To Build A Deck: A Check List of Questions

To help you get started on the "right foot" with how to build a deck or gazebo, We've drawn up two lists of questions to use as guidelines while you look over your deck site and talk with your inspector. These lists will help you evaluate the layout of your building site and ensure that you ask your Building Inspector the right questions about how to build a deck and gazebo in your area. Learning how to build a deck or gazebo while avoiding serious problems begins with finding the answers to these important questions.

How To Build A Deck: You and Your Inspector

When you're deciding how to build a deck or gazebo, remember to look at where the electrical outlets and water faucets are. Also note the pitch of the yard, the location of buried utilities, lot easements, setbacks, inspection intervals, bonding requirements, all the critical building codes related to the actual construction, etc. Being prepared when you go to visit your local inspector makes a BIG difference. Inspectors are always much happier to answer questions related to how to build a deck or gazebo when they realize they're dealing with a knowledgeable individual.

How To Build A Deck: Deck Layout Using String Lines

After the inspector approves your plans on how to build a deck or gazebo, it's time to layout the outline of your project with string lines. Although this may sound like a trivial matter, using the typical "right triangle" method that is often recommended isn't particularly good at getting a quick and accurate layout. This first section on how to build a deck or gazebo concludes by showing you an easier method of stretching string lines that beats the clumsy right triangle method "hands down".