What You Need to Build a Deck: Tools and Materials Checklist
A deck takes a saw, a drill and an impact driver for most of the work, plus a way to dig the footing holes. A post hole auger is the tool most people rent. A 16 × 12 ft deck needs 29 deck boards of 16 ft, 13 joists at 16 in centers, 26 joist hangers, about 676 deck screws and 26 bags of concrete for six footings. The deck materials calculator works out your own size.
Part of the project planner: Planning and building a deck.
The tool checklist, stage by stage
1. Lay out and dig the footings
| Tool | What it is for | Own or rent |
|---|---|---|
| Tape measure and a 100 ft tape | Measuring the layout and checking the diagonals | Own |
| String line, batter boards and a line level | Marking the outline and the height | Own |
| Post hole digger, or a power auger | Digging the footing holes below the frost line | Own a digger, rent an auger |
| Wheelbarrow and a mixing hoe | Mixing bags of concrete for the footings | Own |
| 4 ft level and a post level | Setting the posts plumb | Own |
2. Frame it
| Tool | What it is for | Own or rent |
|---|---|---|
| Circular saw | Cutting joists, beams and posts | Own |
| Miter saw | Square, clean cuts on joists and boards | Own or borrow |
| Speed square and a framing square | Marking square cuts and joist layout | Own |
| Hammer, or a framing nailer | Nailing joist hangers and framing | Own, or rent a nailer |
| Drill/driver and an impact driver | Pilot holes, structural screws and lag screws | Own |
| Clamps | Holding the rim and beams while you fix them | Own |
3. Lay the boards
| Tool | What it is for | Own or rent |
|---|---|---|
| Chalk line | Snapping straight lines for screws and trimming the ends | Own |
| Deck board straightener | Pulling bowed boards into line | Own |
| Spacers | Even gaps between boards for drainage | Own |
| Hidden fastener tool, if you use clips | Setting the clips at the right depth | Own |
| Jigsaw | Cutting around posts | Own |
4. Railings, stairs and finish
| Tool | What it is for | Own or rent |
|---|---|---|
| Stair gauges for a framing square | Marking the stringers the same each time | Own |
| Pry bar | Fixing mistakes and moving boards | Own |
| Stain pad, brush or a pump sprayer | Applying stain or sealer | Own |
Safety kit
- Safety glasses for every cut and every screw driven overhead.
- Ear protection for the saws and the auger.
- Gloves when you handle treated lumber, and a dust mask when you cut it. Wash your hands before you eat.
- A power auger can twist hard when it catches a root or rock: use the two-person kind for big holes, and keep your footing.
- Call 811 before you dig, and check whether your deck needs a permit.
Materials for other deck sizes
5.5 in boards with 1/8 in gaps, joists at 16 in centers, 10% extra. The tools stay the same from a small platform to a large deck, but the screws and hangers add up: the 20 × 16 ft deck takes 1,120 screws, so buy them in bulk boxes.
| Deck | Deck boards | Joists | Joist hangers | Deck screws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 25 boards of 16 ft | 9 | 18 | 396 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 29 boards of 16 ft | 10 | 20 | 520 |
| 16 × 12 ft | 29 boards of 16 ft | 13 | 26 | 676 |
| 16 × 16 ft | 39 boards of 16 ft | 13 | 26 | 910 |
| 20 × 16 ft | 49 boards of 16 ft | 16 | 32 | 1,120 |
For the 16 × 12 ft deck, 0.96 gallons of stain covers one coat on the boards (more for railings and stairs). See the deck materials list, how many deck screws do I need, the common mistakes when building a deck, and the deck planner for the job in order. Estimates only: deck framing and footings must follow your local code.
Frequently asked questions
What tools do I need to build a deck?
A tape measure, string line, post hole digger or rented auger, level, circular saw, miter saw, speed square, drill/driver, impact driver, hammer or framing nailer, clamps, chalk line, a board straightener and spacers.
Do I need an impact driver to build a deck?
It is not essential, but it makes driving 676 deck screws and the structural screws far easier than a drill/driver, and it is less likely to strip the heads.
How many joists for a 16x12 deck?
13 joists at 16 in centers, with 26 joist hangers to fix them at both ends.
Should I rent a power auger for deck footings?
For more than a few holes, or in hard or rocky ground, yes. A manual post hole digger is fine for a small deck in soft soil.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.
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