Free Deck Plans
A ground-level deck you can size to your yard — with the joist spans checked and the lumber costed for you.
- $564est. materials
- Intermediatedifficulty
- 33parts
- 3tools
A ground-level deck is the most approachable deck to build: a frame of beams and joists, then decking boards on top — no tall posts or stairs to engineer. The cut list below is every joist, beam, and board this design needs, generated from the 3D model.
This page doubles as a deck cost calculator — resize the deck and the pressure-treated shopping list re-prices instantly. And because a bouncy deck is the classic rookie mistake, the build check runs a joist-span calculation and warns you if a joist is carrying more than it should, before you buy a single board.
What you’ll buy
| Item | Qty | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| 2×8 12' PT | 2 | $36.96 |
| 2×8 10' PT | 10 | $149.80 |
| 5/4×6 Decking 12' PT | 21 | $346.08 |
| Joist Hanger (hanger (+ hanger nails)) | 16 | $25.60 |
| Framing Nail (1 lb box (~60)) | 1 | $6 |
| Estimated total | $564 |
Prices are a national estimate. Open the plan in the app and set your local lumber prices for an exact figure — the total updates as you type.
Your cut list
| Qty | Stock | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 2× | 2×8 PT | 12' |
| 10× | 2×8 PT | 9' 9" |
| 21× | 5/4×6 Decking PT | 12' |
Tools you’ll need
- Circular saw (or hand saw)
- Drill (pilot holes)
- Hammer (or nailer)
How to build it
- Gather your lumber and hardware. Pick up the boards and fasteners from the shopping list. It’s optimized to minimize offcuts, so buy the counts shown.
- Cut your pieces. Cut each piece to the lengths in the cut list. The app can print a per-piece cut diagram for every board.
- Dry-fit and assemble. Lay the pieces out on a flat surface, check for square, then fasten them with the hardware listed.
- Check it holds, then finish. Confirm the design passes the build checks (sag, fasteners), then sand and finish to taste.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a deck?
Decking is mostly lumber, and the estimate below breaks it down board-by-board. Resize the deck and set your local prices in the app for a number specific to your project.
How far can deck joists span?
It depends on the joist size, spacing, and species. Rather than look it up, the app checks the span for you and flags any joist that’s over-spanned — bump the size or tighten the spacing and the warning clears.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
Often yes — especially for anything attached to the house or above a certain height. Freestanding, ground-level decks are more likely to be exempt, but check your local rules before building.