Two years ago, my husband and I proudly embarked on a DIY deck build. Armed with YouTube tutorials and a lifetime supply of optimism, we were certain we could save thousands by doing it ourselves. Fast forward to today: That "budget" deck has cost us nearly twice what professional installation would have, not to mention countless weekends and one near-divorce over improperly spaced joists.
When we finally called Dominion Custom Decks to assess the damage, their project manager didn't laugh (at least not to our faces). Instead, he showed us their deck installation process page, and suddenly all our mistakes became painfully clear.
Here's our cautionary tale—and the real math behind why DIY isn't always cheaper.
The Budget That Spiraled
Our initial "savings" estimate:
| Item | DIY Cost | Pro Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $8,000 | $6,500 (contractor pricing) |
| Tools | $1,200 (we bought, didn't rent) | $0 |
| Permit Errors | $450 (two rejected submissions) | $0 |
| Fixes | $3,800 (so far) | $0 |
| Total | $13,450 | $11,200 (quote we declined) |
The killer? We're still dealing with:
Dipping corners from improperly compacted soil
Squeaky boards from skipping isolation pads
Railing wobble that failed inspection
Dominion's team explained how their site prep alone (which we'd skipped) would have prevented most issues.
Time Costs We Never Considered
What "free labor" actually cost us:
42 weekends lost to construction
$1,100 in takeout (no kitchen access during build)
$600 physical therapy (herniated disc from hauling beams)
Their crew would have completed it in 11 working days with:
Proper equipment (no makeshift saw horses)
OSHA-compliant lifting techniques
Simultaneous tasks (framing while another team did railings)
The Safety Wake-Up Call
Our scariest realization? How close we came to disaster:
Used wrong joist hangers for our deck's load
Misplaced footings near the gas line
Skipped flashing against the house
Dominion's safety checklist (now framed in our garage) outlines 17 critical steps we'd missed. One inspector later told us our original build had "collapse potential within 3 years."
What Pros Do Differently
After watching Dominion fix our mess, here's what stood out:
Precision Engineering
Laser-leveled footings (vs. our "looks level" approach)
Proper 12" joist spacing (we'd guessed at 16")
Material Advantages
Access to commercial-grade composites (not sold at box stores)
Hidden fastener systems we couldn't source retail
Problem Prevention
Installed drainage matting we didn't know existed
Used corrosion-resistant hardware for longevity
The Silver Lining
Our DIY "adventure" taught us:
Some projects deserve professional expertise
Local pros like Dominion save money long-term
Building codes exist for very good reasons
The repaired deck now has:
25-year warranty (vs. our DIY's... none)
HOA compliance (finally)
Actual resale value
Conclusion
To fellow stubborn DIYers: There's no shame in calling reinforcements. Dominion's Bristow deck installation page now lives in our browser favorites—not for DIY tips, but to remind us when to hand over the hammer.
Sometimes the real savings come from knowing your limits. Our deck saga cost us pride, money, and a perfectly good summer, but it taught us to appreciate what professionals truly bring to the (well-built, properly supported) table.
Tags: #DIYFail #DeckSafety #BristowHomes #HomeRenovation #KnowYourLimits
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