Introduction

Building a deck a great way to transform your outdoor space into something really special. A place to soak up the sunshine, grill up a delicious meal, or simply spend quality time with family and friends. Plus, a well-designed (and built) deck can boost your home's value, making it an investment that pays off in more ways than one.
Over the years, our team has installed hundreds of deck foundations across Moncton and surrounding areas. And one of the questions we hear a lot is: “How do I actually build a deck?” 
With so much information on the internet, it can be tough to know where you should start. That's why we decided to create this guide! After researching countless resources we've compiled an epic list of tools, designs, and knowledge, you can use to build an incredible deck this season.
In this comprehensive guide you'll find: 
● Over 130 free deck plans you can download right now● 3D design tools to visualize your dream deck● Expert advice on your deck foundation options● Practical tips and links to help you secure the right permits● Comprehensive how-to guides for every stage of construction● Insider tips on hiring a reliable and trustworthy deck contractor
Whether you're a seasoned DIY-builder or someone who’s never even picked up a power tool, you'll find all kinds of useful insights and actionable information.
By the end, you'll have virtually everything you need to start, and successfully finish, your deck-building adventure. Let's get started!
PS: If there's specific information you're looking for, you can jump to any of the sections using the 'Table of Contents' above.

Deck Plans & Design Tools

Before you do anything, you'll need to know what kind of deck you want to build. So, a perfect place to start is with a quality set of deck plans.

Having a deck plan not only helps you understand what you want to build (and how to do it), it's also essential for securing a construction permit. Plus, it's a key step in figuring out your ideal foundation choice, but we'll cover that later in this post.

For now, we've scoured the internet to find the absolute best free deck plans and design tools you can use right now. After assessing the options out there, here's what we found:

Decks.com - Deck Plans & Deck Design Tool

Decks.com is a fantastic place to score nearly 100 free deck plans of all shapes, sizes, and designs. From simple 10' x 10' raised decks all the way to expansive pool decks, there's a huge range of options to choose from.

You can also find a free deck design tool that allows you to bring your vision to life with a custom design. There's also a ton of useful calculators and other tools that will make your building process a breeze!

Trex - Deck Plans & Deck Designer

Trex is another excellent resource to find a range of deck designs. While it doesn't have as many options as Decks.com, it does allow you to modify those designs in their web-based deck design tool. It's a simple way to get started with a basic deck, then tweak it to suit your needs.

Additionally, if you're planning to build with Trex decking, their tool is also a great way to test different material options and finishes so you can better visualize the final result.

Home Depot - Free Deck Plans & Deck Consultations

Another spot to find a selection of detailed deck plans is at Home Depot's website. Beyond deck plans you'll also find oodles of inspiration, tips, and tricks, that are sure to make your build a breeze.

If you want to order your materials from Home Depot, you can even schedule a free in-person or virtual deck consultation with one of their experts. They'll help you settle on a great design and even provide rough cost estimates.

TimberTech - Free Deck Plans & Deck Designer

With 18 free deck plans on-tap, TimberTech offers unique designs and interesting layouts that are sure to get you inspired for less traditional deck shapes. They also offer a free deck designer, where you can start from scratch or modify their existing plans to get exactly what you want.

If you're on the hunt for a less-common deck layout, this could be the perfect place to start!

Rona - Free 3D Deck Design Tool

While Rona doesn't offer pre-built deck plans, they do have a detailed and powerful free deck design tool you can use to help bring your dream to life.

It's easy to use and allows you to quickly "build" a deck in 3D. Once you're happy with the design, you can download and print a detailed breakdown of the required materials and even an estimated cost.

You also get 3D renderings of your design that are a huge help in visualizing what the final build will look like.

Best Foundations for Decks in Moncton & Southeast New Brunswick

When planning the perfect backyard deck, choosing the right foundation is just as important as the deck design itself. After all, a solid foundation is the absolute key to ensuring stability, safety, and longevity. 
The last thing you’d want is for your beautiful new deck to face problems in a couple seasons because of a wonky foundation.

In New Brunswick, our unique climate and soil conditions play a big role in determining the types of foundation that are suitable for a deck. Thanks to freezing winters and wet springs, your deck foundation has to withstand some pretty harsh conditions.

We decided to focus on three main foundation options that are most common in Moncton and area, which are:

Concrete (Sonotubes)

Poured concrete has long been a foundation solution for decks in Moncton. They involve excavating or drilling a vertical shaft into the ground, placing a cardboard form (known as a sonotube) into the hole, adding reinforcing rebar, and then pouring concrete. Once it cures, you're left with a solid base for your deck.
Installing a concrete foundation isn't very complex, but it does demand a fair amount of effort and time. If you don't have access to a soil auger or excavator, you'll need to rent one or dig each hole manually (which can be tiring and time-consuming). 
On top of that, you'll have to deal with the excavated by depositing somewhere on your property or having it removed.
One important consideration with concrete is that it could be prone to shifting or heaving during freeze-thaw cycles under structures like decks. Shifting or heaving can create problems with your deck’s stability down the line, which is a headache to fix. 

Concrete (Sonotube) Pros

Concrete (Sonotube) Cons

Helical Piles (Screw Piles)

Over the last 15 years, helical piles have gained serious popularity as deck foundations in Moncton and area. Like concrete, they're installed deep underground to reach supportive soil layers. However, since helical piles are made from steel and install by rotating into the ground, they eliminate the need for excavation or curing.

A big advantage of helical piles is their easy, efficient, and clean installation. Using a hydraulic motor, helical piles are "screwed" into the ground. 
This results in a lightning-quick install that leaves no mess on your property. Even better, helical piles resist the soil movement which comes with our tough freeze-thaw cycles.

On the other hand, you can't install a helical piles yourself as they require specific training and machinery.

Full disclosure: We design and install helical pile foundations at Postech Moncton. So it's not a secret we’d be big fans of the technology. But we’re not alone! Many contractors in the region also prefer helical piles for their speed, reliability, and performance.

Helical Pile Pros

Helical Pile Cons

Deck Blocks (Surface Blocks)

Deck blocks sit directly on the surface of your yard and essentially act as a "foot" which spreads the deck's weight over a larger area. They have slots cut into the block where a deck post can be placed, making the foundation process quick and easy.

However, because deck blocks sit on the surface instead of being installed into firm soil layers, they're far more prone to movement compared to concrete or helical piles.

This movement makes deck blocks unsuitable for attached decks, as the shifting can compromise stability and even damage your home. While they can be used for detached decks, there's certain restrictions on their use. 

Photo courtesy Todd Turner on Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed license

Full disclosure: We design and install helical pile foundations at Postech Moncton. So it's not a secret we’d be big fans of the technology. But we’re not alone! Many contractors in the region also prefer helical piles for their speed, reliability, and performance.

Deck Block Pros

Deck Block Cons

Recommended Deck Foundation in Moncton

So, what’s the best deck foundation for your Moncton-area home?

Both concrete sonotubes and helical piles offer solid solutions depending on your needs and budget. At Postech Moncton, we naturally lean toward helical piles! But many local contractors recommend them as well thanks to their ease of installation, exceptional strength, and long-term reliability.

If you’re looking for a lower-cost option and are willing to handle the physical labor yourself, poured concrete can be a good choice.

As for deck blocks? In most cases we suggest avoiding this option entirely, we think their limitations generally outweigh any benefits.

No matter which foundation option you choose, putting thought into the decision now will save you headaches (and repairs) later!

Getting a Permit for a Deck Project in Moncton & Area

Building your dream deck is an exciting project, but before you can enjoy your outdoor oasis there’s one critical step you should not overlook: securing a permit.

With your deck design finalized and your choice of foundation sorted, making sure your project complies with local regulations is essential for a smooth and hassle-free build.

Some homeowners may feel tempted to skip this step, thinking the “ask for forgiveness, not permission” is a good approach. No doubt this seems like the most convenient option at first, but you shouldn't take it.

Not only could you face fines, penalties, or delays, but cutting corners could jeopardize the safety and stability of the deck itself.

Getting a deck permit allows your local building authority to review its design, placement, and overall integrity. Sure, no one likes paying a permit application fee, but the process really is designed to protect you and your investment. 

Information You Need to Apply for a Deck Permit

The specific info you'll need for a permit application can vary depending on where you live, but in most cases you’ll need to gather the following details and documents:

Where to Apply for Deck Permits in Southern New Brunswick

Here’s a list of websites for local building authorities in Southern New Brunswick who can provide guidance and forms for your deck permit:

Plan360

Covers the following areas: Maple Hills, Salisbury, Riverview, Shediac, Cap-Acadie, Strait Shores, Tantramar, Memramcook, Fundy Albert, Three Rivers, Southeast Rural District

City of Moncton

City of Dieppe

Southwest New Brunswick

Covers the following areas: Fundy Shores Rural Community, Eastern Charlotte Rural Community, Town of Saint Andrews, Southwest Rural District, Village of McAdam, Village of Grand Manan, Municipal District of St. Stephen, Rural Community of Campobello Island

Kent Regional Service Commission

Covers the following areas: Villages of Saint-Antoine, Rexton, Saint-Louis-de-Kent and Rogersville, the Rural Community of Cocagne, the towns of Bouctouche and Richibucto.

Saint John

How to Build Your Own Deck - Free Guides

Whew! With all that paperwork out of the way, you're finally ready to get that deck built. 
While the idea of picking up some tools and diving into construction might feel a bit intimidating, the good news is that building a great deck isn't very hard at all - even if you're a beginner DIY'er.
That said, if you'd prefer to let a pro do the heavy lifting then check out the next section where we explore how to find a top-notch contractor to build your dream deck.
For those ready to roll up their sleeves and swing a hammer, this section is for you.
Whether you’re tackling a small backyard deck or for something more elaborate, these guides will help you build with confidence.

How to Build a Wood or Composite Deck | Decks.com

As mentioned earlier, Decks.com is an excellent resource for anyone planning a deck build. Not only do they offer a large library of pre-designed deck plans, they’ve also curated an in-depth DIY guide for homeowners who want to take on the challenge themselves.

What's Inside?

With clear instructions and practical advice, this guide ensures you won’t be left guessing about the next steps. If you're looking to build a high-quality deck without professional help, this is an awesome starting point.

How to Build a Deck | Kent

Kent Building Supplies, a well-known and loved name in Atlantic Canada, also has a practical and approachable deck-building guide.

What's Inside?

If you want a local source for deck-building information, this is an excellent place to get started. Plus, you can always ask the experts at Kent for tips and tricks to make the process go smoother than you ever thought possible.

How to Build a Simple Deck | This Old House

If you grew up watching home improvement shows, then you probably remember This Old House. Their website has tons of clear content to help with common DIY projects - including building a deck!

What's Inside?

The written guide is a little more "condensed" than the others, but the included video dives into more fine-grained detail that's great if you're more of a visual learner.

How to Choose a Deck Contractor in Moncton & Area

So, after reading through this guide you might be starting to think, “It'd be a lot less work to let someone else build my deck." 
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here too! Hiring a great contractor takes the stress off your shoulders while ensuring you get a high-quality, beautiful deck that perfectly fits your space.
If you’re interested in specific recommendations for some of the best deck contractors in the Moncton area, feel free to give us a call at (506) 857-9512. Our team has extensive experience working with top-notch contractors, and we’d be happy to connect you with some fantastic options.
But, if you’d like to do your own research, here's some top tips on what to look for in a quality deck builder...

What to Look for in a Deck Contractor

Red Flags to Watch Out For

When figuring out which contractor you want to hire, there's some warning signs that could indicate trouble. Avoid contractors who:

Finding the right deck contractor doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By focusing on experience, communication, and transparency, you'll be able to feel confident in your choice of builder. 
Remember: A professional contractor will work with you every step of the way to bring your vision to life.

Conclusion

As we mentioned at the beginning of this guide, building a deck is one of the best ways to enhance your outdoor enjoyment. Whether it’s creating a cozy spot for family dinners, hosting summer get-togethers, or simply basking in the sun, a deck can completely transform your outdoor living experience.

While tackling such a project may seem overwhelming at first, as long as you have the right resources and guidance we’re confident you can make it happen!

Even if you plan to hire a professional contractor to handle the construction, understanding the key aspects of a proper deck build is a big help. It allows you to make informed decisions, sets clear expectations, and ensures you choose the right contractor to bring your vision to life.

Don't forget that no matter what kind of deck you’re dreaming of, the most important step is to get started.

Designing a layout, selecting a foundation, securing permits, and hiring the right people, all takes time. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be sitting back and relaxing on your brand-new deck.

That said, we understand you may still have some more questions about building a deck. That’s where we come in!

Curious about your foundation options? The type of foundation you choose impacts the construction process, durability, and longevity of your deck. Our team at Postech Moncton has over 13 years of experience installing high-quality deck foundations in the region, and we’d be happy to guide you through your options.
Need advice on design or finding the right builder? We have strong relationships with several reputable contractors in the area, and we’d be glad to connect you with one that fits your needs.

And finally, feel free to bookmark this guide for future reference. Whether you’re planning every last detail yourself or collaborating with an expert, having the right knowledge at hand is a handy thing indeed.

Okay, that's enough from us. Time to stop dreaming and start building - your perfect deck is a lot closer than you think!