Anyone fitted their own (large) decking?

[lechatnoir]

Our patio is in a dire state & has lots of annoying levels that decking would solve nicely. we've been quoted between £5-6k from 3 firms which we can't afford so DH (very handy - fitted previous kitchen, built fitted wardrobes etc) is considering the DIY approach & I'm wondering how realistic this is for a 'weekend' job & how much we would actually save?
Patio wraps part way round the house (L-shaped) so ideally we'd do it in 2 parts as it's a big area (c.30ft x 12ft + 12ft x 20ft).

Yes, DH did ours. It took him 3 days. It was a few years ago so I can't remember what it cost but the quote was £3k and I know we saved a fortune. The membrany stuff was surprisingly expensive for a large area but we've never had any weeds appear so it was worth it.

It entirely covers the hideous patio that was there before. Laying a new patio would have been much harder I think. We just used instructions from our DIY manual.

DH's DIY skills sound similar to yours. Fitted own kitchens, bathrooms etc. It wasn't hard, especially with decent power tools on hand. Obviously need to be very good at measuring but I guess your DH is?

Dh, friends and his brothers did ours. It took ages, but is on posts as we had to take up a lot of change of ground height. And its enormous - 6m x 12m as the whole side of the garden that way was unusable.
It cost just over £1k

dh did our decking, it's big and also has an integral sand pit! realistically, it took 2 weekends to build the frame, and another 2 weekends to fit the boards, about £800 for wood and screws (it used a lot of screws!!)

the decking was easier than the railway sleeper planters.

my DH did ours.

it took AGES but is brilliant.

He bought a circular saw which made good, clean and accurate cuts, and we shopped around for decking planks..the price varied loads.

The internet was invaluable in solving little problems that arose now and again, but careful planning before you start is the key.

All in all though, a great job.

do it!!

We did it - it was quite easy.

My husband did ours .its quite large and raised . He also did a huge deck at my mums with steps and built her a pagoda. He is very handy , we don't have workmen in for anything anymore as although it takes longer to get things done they are done to perfection.

Brilliant thank you & I'm sure DH is capable but might be worth getting a friend to help otherwise it'll be winter before he finishes it!!

My husband is out building ours as we speak! It is large and covers different heights underneath...it has taken him a while, think he started about 8 weeks ago...but we have 2 little children so he can't go at it solidly at weekends, plus we have a hideos round raised well he hadto build around which slowed him down. It could have been done more quickly if he had spent every day of the weekends on it. We are a weekend away from it being finished, then just have to clean and paint it. Cost...about £1500 for timber and screws.

Oh and we have 3 sections which takes time too.

Those with old patios, have you left them in situ and just decked over them?

Our patio is huge and it would be a huge job to lift it.

we decked over the top, no need to lift. we sprayed the weeds and then lay weed proof membrane down under the deck frame.

We laid deck on top. Our deck is 7 x 8m.

Definitely on top. It was our main reason for choosing decking!