How hard is it to build a deck yourself?

• <div><p>Building a deck isn't too hard if you’re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don’t have experience in those areas.</p><p>Note: You’ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don’t have an extra set of hands to help.</p></div>

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Q: How hard is it to build a deck yourself?

• <div><p>Building a deck isn't too hard if you&rsquo;re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don&rsquo;t have experience in those areas.</p><p>Note: You&rsquo;ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don&rsquo;t have an extra set of hands to help.</p></div>

Q: What is the best material or fill to put under a deck?

• <div><p>While you can use various materials like sand or even just soil, gravel is widely considered the best option to put under a deck. It provides excellent drainage and is resistant to water, fire, and pests. Gravel also helps anchor the soil to prevent erosion during heavy rain and acts as a built-in weed blocker, reducing regular upkeep. Furthermore, it is simple to spread, available in various textures and tones, and adds a polished look that complements any deck design.</p></div>

Q: What are the disadvantages of eco-decking?

• <div><p>While eco-friendly decking, also called composite decking, is a win for the environment because it consists of recycled materials, it has trade-offs. These sustainable options often come with steeper price tags, lack natural wood's warm look, and can become uncomfortably hot under full sun. Some composite materials can also become slick when wet, posing a potential hazard.</p></div>

Q: Should I use 2x6 or 2x8 for deck joists?

• <div><p>When deciding if you should use 2x6 or 2x8 deck joists, consider the size of the deck, joist spacing, and materials. Larger decks, larger-spaced joists, and weaker wood all require more support, meaning they need larger joists. For example, 2x8 redwood joists spaced 16 inches apart can only safely span up to 10 feet and 7 inches. On the other hand, 2x10 southern pine joists spaced 12 inches apart can be as big as 16 feet and 2 inches. If you aren&rsquo;t sure what size joist is best for your project, speak with your deck builder.</p></div>

Q: What is the best sustainable wood material for decks?

• <div><p>When sourced responsibly, the most sustainable wood decking options are timber trees like redwood, pine, Douglas fir, Nootka cypress, and Western red cedar. These tree species are fast-growing with low carbon emissions. Plus, most timber woods make durable deck materials because of their resistance to rot and decay over time. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Deck Maintenance pros in Garfield, WA

*The Angi rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Garfield, WA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Deck Maintenance companies in Garfield, WA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Deck Maintenance needs.

Last update on July 17, 2026

Reviewed in July 2026
Alex and crew did a great job with re-roofing our quirky, older home! They treated us and our home with respect and were helpful with some side projects we asked them to do. Savanna was great to work with as well. We would definitely hire them again!
A and S Roofing and Construction LLC
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Reviewed in February 2026
I received numerous estimates for having my front porch replaced. Bugle Construction was the most professional and provided a beautiful job by their craftsmen. Very smooth experience from administrative operations from beginning to end. I would hire again and highly recommend this company.
Bugle Construction JMJ, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2025
Keystone Carpets provided me with an exceptional experience and a high quality end result with my carpet installation. It was totally trouble free to have Mark show up at my house with sample boards, measure the rooms, and provide a complete estimate on the spot. Only a short couple of weeks...
Keystone Carpet, Inc.
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Reviewed in October 2024
Wonderful people to work with. I live in rural PALOUSE and they came from Spokane to take care of my decayed roof. It was a huge job but they worked in sweltering heat and every evening when they left (coming back the next day) everything was cleaned up and hauled off. I would recommend anyone...
D G Contracting, LLC
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Reviewed in February 2024
Very satisfied with their work, cleaned up good after the tree was down.
Strunk's Tree Service LLC
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Reviewed in August 2023
Very knowledgeable and helpful. Clean and efficient. Thank you Max
Maximus Plumbing, LLC - Unlicensed Contractor
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Reviewed in July 2023
Select Woodworking does quality work, with excellent craftsmanship, and they have been a pleasure to work with!
Select Woodworking
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Reviewed in June 2023
Strong Roots did an amazing job. If your looking for a tree service group I cannot say enough great things about this group. Josh and his crew worked so hard from start to finish they even planted grass seed on the clean up portion. Thank you!!!
Strong Roots Tree Service, LLC
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Reviewed in March 2023
They took down a giant tree for me and I was very impressed with the quality of their work! They did a great job, thanks a lot. Cleaned up the area very well, too.
HB Saw Service
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Reviewed in June 2021
They did a great overall job with our floors but There are a few little things that they kinda rushed somewhat and now need to come back and fix, but I do believe it’s because they were trying to get my floors done quickly for us under a set timeline, and they are small little fixes which they...
Floorcoverings NW
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Find Deck maintenance specialists in Garfield

KMJ Construction

5.0(

)

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Garfield, WA and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Justin was very professional, fast, easy to work with and did a great job. He made sure to ask questions for clarification of what we wanted and to point out any issues he saw while he was working on our basement. We were very pleased with the work he did."

+124

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Garfield, WA and surrounding areas

"It was a great experience, I was pleased with the time and price... Although for quality I needed to stand by and check frequently for the job to be completed as I wanted. I do have to say that I am a little picky when it comes to quality and I requested some doors to be repainted and it was done in a timely manner. I was pleased with overall job..."

+20

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Garfield, WA and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"J &J was very punctual! The team divided and conquered cleaning my carpets and washing the Windows. They were very speedy, yet very friendly and had tremendous attention to detail. It was nice dealing with a company that truly believes in customer service and value for there customers money! Their prices were so reasonable and with the list of services they provide, they're a one stop shop for landlords like myself. I would definitely recommend them to other property owners!"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Streamline Industrial

5.0(

)

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Garfield, WA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

"Streamline Industrial Corp. was quick, prompt, and performed superior work. Their estimate was very accurate on price as well as time. The employees were polite, knowledgeable, and professional. I’m extremely happy with how my deck turned out. Truly quality craftsmanship throughout as well as quality materials used. I would absolutely hire them again. 10/10 would recommend."

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Garfield, WA and surrounding areas

In business since 1996

Free estimates

"Quick response to bid project when contacted. Excellent and thorough work, made good recommendations on materials used, Good attention to details and went to extra steps to make sure job completed satisfactorily."

Recommended by75%of homeowners

Deck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and SealDeck, Fence, Patio or Porch - Clean and Seal - For Business

Serving Garfield, WA and surrounding areas

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Good quality work, very personable, nice and does very good tile and cabinetry work."

Response time1 day

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Deck Maintenance questions, answered by experts

Building a deck isn't too hard if you’re handy with carpentry, have the necessary tools, and are willing to put effort into it. However, other factors, such as plans, permits, and design, can be hard if you don’t have experience in those areas.

Note: You’ll need another person to help you build the deck (especially for framing and setting the beams). Building a deck yourself will be very difficult if you don’t have an extra set of hands to help.

While you can use various materials like sand or even just soil, gravel is widely considered the best option to put under a deck. It provides excellent drainage and is resistant to water, fire, and pests. Gravel also helps anchor the soil to prevent erosion during heavy rain and acts as a built-in weed blocker, reducing regular upkeep. Furthermore, it is simple to spread, available in various textures and tones, and adds a polished look that complements any deck design.

While eco-friendly decking, also called composite decking, is a win for the environment because it consists of recycled materials, it has trade-offs. These sustainable options often come with steeper price tags, lack natural wood's warm look, and can become uncomfortably hot under full sun. Some composite materials can also become slick when wet, posing a potential hazard.

When deciding if you should use 2x6 or 2x8 deck joists, consider the size of the deck, joist spacing, and materials. Larger decks, larger-spaced joists, and weaker wood all require more support, meaning they need larger joists. For example, 2x8 redwood joists spaced 16 inches apart can only safely span up to 10 feet and 7 inches. On the other hand, 2x10 southern pine joists spaced 12 inches apart can be as big as 16 feet and 2 inches. If you aren’t sure what size joist is best for your project, speak with your deck builder.

When sourced responsibly, the most sustainable wood decking options are timber trees like redwood, pine, Douglas fir, Nootka cypress, and Western red cedar. These tree species are fast-growing with low carbon emissions. Plus, most timber woods make durable deck materials because of their resistance to rot and decay over time.

The Garfield, WA homeowners’ guide to deck maintenance services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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Scott Dylan Westerlund
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Aug 31, 2026Aug 31, 2026
Cost to Seal or Waterproof a Deck [2026 Data]
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Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
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Jul 9, 2026Jul 9, 2026
Top Deck Maintenance Tips for Every Decking Material
Deck maintenance is vital to protecting a wooden deck. Cleaning, staining and sealing a deck after pressure washing will add years to its lifespan. Protect a deck by following these deck maintenance tips for cedar and other types of wood materials.
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Mar 19, 2026Mar 19, 2026
Deck Maintenance Checklists for Every Season
Keep your decking looking new with this deck maintenance checklist.
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Jul 31, 2026Jul 31, 2026
7 Best Maintenance-Free Decking Materials
Finding maintenance-free decking that works for your home, budget, and lifestyle can be challenging. This guide lists the 7 best low-maintenance deck materials.