You will need a good selection of both hand and power tools to build a deck. The list below gives a general idea of the scope of tools required.

Power Tools

• Circular Saw - if you buy cheap ones, you will also probably go through at least three blades

• Miter Saw - for cutting pickets and other finish work
• Cordless Drill - with at least two battery packs
  • Masonry bits - predrilling for masonry anchors (if required)

  • Spade bits - drilling holes for through-bolts at posts
  • Standard bits - predrilling for screws and other miscellaneous tasks
• Hammer Drill - drilling for ledger board attachment
• Hand Sander - finish sanding and removing marks on lumber
• Jigsaw - for finishing cuts on stringers and other detail work
• Power Auger (optional) - digging post holes

Hand Tools

• Tape Measure - get a wide tape that can extend at least 12 feet without a problem

• Hand Plane - for leveling out high spots in the joists
• Hand Saw - miscellaneous cuts where power saws won't fit
• Post Hole Digger - a 36" hole is hard to dig by hand...
• Hammer - good for coaxing things into place (and nailing things together)
• Sledgehammer - better for coaxing things into place (not so good for nailing)
• Level - make sure it is true because you will count on it during layout
• Post Level - has two bubbles that allow you to level a post
• Chisel Set - for cleaning up notches in the posts and other misc finish work
• Socket Set - for tightening through bolts and ledger board
• Adjustable Wrench - for tightening through bolts and ledger board
• Shovel and Hoe - mixing concrete
• Steel Trowel - finishing the tops of the concrete piers
• Wheelbarrow - mixing concrete and cleanup

Miscellaneous Helpers

• Speed Square - used for marking right angles for cutting

• Framing Square - used for verifying right angles and laying out stair stringers
• Nylon String - preliminary deck layout
• Chalk Line - for laying ot the ledger board and marking lumber for rips
• Pencils - no description needed
• Wood Shims - use as required to level and space
• "C" Clamps - holding pieces in place while drilling or bolting
• Ladder - getting up to high places
• Tool Belt - you don't want to be searching all over for that pencil when you need it
• Heavy Duty Extension Cord and Splitter - power