building decking?

hotcookie101

Our decking has collapsed (>2000l paddling pool filled with water +pond plants+fish+leaking=unhappy deckboards! )

I am not massively fond of decking, but our garden is very sloped, and it is sort of the only seating/flat area we have for bbq etc. So I would like to redo/replace/start again!

It is a fairly big area. 3.2m wide, 4.5m long, raised .8m at highest end, and 0.28m at lowest.

The decking is next to the fence on our right (which we are responsible for, as we look out, garden is almost exactly south-east facing) and next to the top of the garden (which is on a different level, edged by sleepers, about 0.23m high, so at the moment the decking is a bit of a step down to that. I think when re-done I would like it to be level to that.

So-questions:

How easy is it to build decking?

The structural slat things going perpendicular to the boards are collapsed where the deck has broken however the vertical (supporting) posts seem solid enough. Will we be able to reuse these? I am thinking if do not need to concrete things will make life easier

Where is best to buy decking materials? I would prefer hardwood if possible, or a good quality decking (prev is pretty shabby softwood, I think the b&q value stuff) I would like something that will last a long time. I only have a wee car, so would need somewhere that would deliver, or I could hire a van at a push...

If we decided we can't cope with doing it ourselves-who would we get in to do it? Landscape gardener, builder, fence people, general handyman?

and finally, any ROUGH ideas of costs, if we did get someone in, how long a job would it be?

Thanks so much in advance

Yorkie1

I can't answer your specific questions, but I'm slightly concerned by the weight you have got on that decking - the water in the pool will be heavy, and probably contributed to the collapse of the supports for the decking.

I'd make sure that you build this factor into your planning when identifying the appropriate replacement materials.

hotcookie101

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I can't answer your specific questions, but I'm slightly concerned by the weight you have got on that decking - the water in the pool will be heavy, and probably contributed to the collapse of the supports for the decking.

I'd make sure that you build this factor into your planning when identifying the appropriate replacement materials.

Oh, it isn't a permanent structure. It was a temporary home for the fish while OH cleaned out pond. Was put on deck to avoid killing the grass, but killed the deck instead. I was just explaining why the decking had collapsed, not intending to do that again....

rum1

B&Q near me do different types of deck boards. I put a deck down 6 years ago within a day approx 12 foot square. As long as you treat it regulary it should last years

Greenqueen_2

Check out whether you need planning permission.

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See article in Daily Mail Thursday 12th July.

hotcookie101

Greenqueen wrote: »

Check out whether you need planning permission.

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See article in Daily Mail Thursday 12th July.

I would presume that as we are replacing rather than building it would be ok? is raised more than 75cm, but only at one end, certainly not like the decking in that article. will look into it though, thanks

zenshi

I have just finished building my decking, approx 2.5 metres by 8 metres. Two thirds of the area is raised. I am woman in mid forties and did it myself, took some time but easily manageable
Wood from the structure came from a wood merchant who delivered. Planks came from a well known DIY store and poked out of my sunroof to get them home and the balustrades were second hand. Total cost well less than four hundred