Contractors Hate Me For Showing You This!

I built a backyard oasis with a floating deck, smokeless fire pit, and string lights. I'll show you the easiest and fastest way to build a DIY deck plus the one thing everyone skips that could be extremely dangerous in a storm. I'll show you the time-saving deck-building tips contractors don't want you to know that can save you thousands of dollars.

I hope to inspire you to create your own projects at home. If I can do it so can you! I want you to know that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Learn how to become self-reliant and have fun doing it!

[coloradomountainman]

As a custom home builder (still working) since 1973, I've gotta say I enjoyed the vid. Couple suggestions from over half a century of building: Use a round over bit on your but ends of the deck boards. This eliminates the chipped, sharp edge and gives a more professional look. And always use a straight edge guide when cutting off the ends of the decking boards. Takes an extra 60 seconds but is well worth it. On any upright posts, always, always use a 45 degree chamfer bit to shape all four edges. This again gives a more professional look and eliminates splinters when those little hands or drunken stumbling grab the post to help the person retain an upright position. I do the 45 chamfer with the post in place, usually allowing the base of the router to determine the height off the bottom and the top for the cut. When I have those overly tight posts, I simply use a power hand planer to shave down the post base to make a proper fit. Using a sledge hammer to force fit a swollen piece of lumber is pretty barbaric and usually ends up deforming the top of the post. Just sayin...

[de]

I love it when I'm not sure that I want to watch a 24 minute-long video only to be surprised when it ends. Entertaining & informative. Bravo Haxman.

[Rado]

Coming from a retired deck/fence guy... the only step I didn't hear you mention (which would really only be helpful to beginners), is to make sure the crown of the joist are facing up.

[carol_english]

Great instructions, great sense of humour. As a woman trying to learn this stuff with no one to ask, these videos are fabulous. It all the stuff they don’t explain in the “how to” books and instructions.

[daunwatson]

YOU ARE GREAT !!! I am a 66 year old disabled woman. My husband and I have built ALL our garden boxes and pergolas and any yard accessories. We LOVE your EASE at you.

[praisegod]

The best part of this build is you're doing it with family! 💯❤

[lobstermania]

Wow! I'm 60 and my back hurts just watching this! Great job! Pay no attention to the haters. Hope you are enjoying a beer on that deck right now talking to your sister!

[jv]

Adam, One of the best parts of this video is to see the complete family working together, congrats

[BurningDownUrHouse]

Dock builder here. When you lay the deck boards down you want the, what you call the "bark side" which is called the crown side, you want that side up. If you've ever looked at old decks, you'll notice the most damaged boards are the ones that have the crown side down. If you look at the end of the board you will see this is because when you lay it crown down it creates a sort of bowl for the board to hold water longer, whereas with the crown up it allows the water to escape faster and keeps the board drier.

[greghakes]

iv'e been a carpenter for 50 years and overbuild everything this deck is bomb proof you have outdone me and that's really hard to do . Kudos to you you're funny and very experienced save materials and cut costs by not overbuying materials and do a expert quality . For those DY ers following Adam you really cant go wrong .Thank you I laughed at your PRO Tips

[markc]

The little one looked like a bundle of help, even distracting you from work, love that, reminds me of my grand kids.

[trevorgreene]

Haxman and goat having a conversation. Reminds me of the time I communicated with a cow. It was a mooving experience.

[jennlizzy]

I have watched a dozen deck build videos and yours was absolutely the most entertaining as well as the best how to building instructions. I now think this 68 yr old women can construct a small deck, with confidence. Thank you.
P.S. I loved seeing all your family help in getting it done.

[saralisa]

Like this channel a lot. He relates to the laymen while still using pro standards. He cuts the crap without cutting corners. It really feels like you are hanging out at a friends house. That cool friend who doesnt overwhelm you who always teaches you something while being easy going. His good nature and good humor season the project perfectly and make the experience feel personal. It feels like the wife is recording on her cell phone but even if thats the case the editing is quite good . Witty subtle sound effects, proper music placement, pace of the project all layed together seamlessly. I often feel dizzy after watching youtube videos. They are generally under or over produced and it can be exausting to be honest. But Ive been watching for about 3 hours and I feel pretty good! So just thought a I would give my compliments. Take care everyone.
❤❤❤❤❤
Great Channel!

[Vurt.]

53-year-old here from Europe ... and will start next spring a new career as a carpenter/builder by going back to trade school ... IN THE US !!!! It's a dream come true !!!

[toesfingers]

I'm a 75 year old woman; who does NO construction, and even I enjoyed watching this video. Great to be informed of cheaper ways to build and see how some things have changed over the years.

[pughconsulting]

I got a metal detector to help me find a buried sprinkler valve box (it worked!), but it took me awhile because of all the Budweiser cans I found all over the yard. Digging elsewhere to put in a swingset, we found probably 100' of PVC, just bunches of pipe buried for no reason. I ended up using it in my garden beds for vine plants to climb. We've found glass beer bottles, bricks, rebar, concrete, shingles, and all sorts of stuff all over the property. House was built in 1994. Can't wait to find what is in the walls whenever we do some renovations.

[oritrond]

As I'm watching this, it doesn't even matter to me how the deck was made. I loved seeing you play with your family. Showing you take time out to have fun the kids is awesome! Thank you for sharing.

[Meve.Stiller]

I’m a contractor, and I love your video. Great work. I make a living redoing many DIY projects.

[russellzauner]

My ground is boggy/silty so a floating deck is kind of ideal...thanks for putting this up and thanks to the algorithm for showing it to me - you must be doing something right.
EDIT: thanks for the tip on landscape fabric - since anything heavy sinks over time in my yard, if I do trenches, then lay the fabric in it, it should hold the shape enough for the paver base to settle into the shapes, kind of like a mold. If I had a quality soil in my yard I would leave it out, as you direct, but I don't, so I need to sort of mold or wrap the paver base to make it not sink directly in - the large piece of fabric will distribute the stresses and keep it "floating" kind of literally in my yard. :-) Thanks again!