Tools needed to build a deck
You can build a solid deck with a short list of tools, but a few of them decide how many days it takes. Here is the list by stage of the job, what each one is for, which to rent, and how much the tool bill adds to a real DIY deck.
Layout and footings
| Tool | What it does on a deck | Rent or buy |
|---|---|---|
| 25 ft tape measure | Every measurement, and squaring the layout by diagonals | Buy |
| String line, stakes and line level | Marks the outline and the top of the footings | Buy |
| 4 ft level | Plumbs posts and levels beams and ledger | Buy |
| Post hole digger or auger | Footing holes to frost depth | Rent a power auger for more than a few holes |
| Digging bar | Breaks rock and roots in the holes | Buy or borrow |
| Wheelbarrow and hoe | Mixing bagged concrete | Borrow |
Holes are the slowest part of the job by hand. A 16x12 attached deck needs three 12 inch holes 42 inches deep in a cold climate; a freestanding one needs six. The deck footing calculator and concrete footing bags calculator count the concrete for each.
Cutting and framing
| Tool | What it does | Rent or buy |
|---|---|---|
| Circular saw | Every framing cut, and trimming board ends in place | Buy |
| Speed square | Square cuts, rafter-style angles and stair layout | Buy |
| Chalk line | Straight lines for cutting board ends flush | Buy |
| Drill/driver | Pilot holes and ledger bolt holes | Buy |
| Mitre saw | Clean, repeatable cuts on boards and railing | Optional: rent or borrow |
| Stair gauges | Lock the rise and run on a square for stringers | Buy if you have stairs |
Cut stringers from the numbers in the stair stringer calculator, and hang the joists with the hangers counted by the joist hanger calculator.
Fastening the decking
Fastening is where an impact driver earns its price. The deck fastener calculator counts about 2.6 screws per square foot at 16 inch spacing: about 400 for a 12x12 deck and 500 for a 16x12. Driving that many with a drill/driver alone is slow and hard on the wrist.
| Tool | What it does | Rent or buy |
|---|---|---|
| Impact driver | Drives deck and structural screws all day | Buy |
| Board spacers | Keep the gap between boards even | Buy; see the [deck board gap calculator](/calculators/deck-board-gap) |
| Board straightener | Pulls bowed boards into line | Buy for long or bowed boards |
| Hidden-fastener tool or jig | Sets clips or edge screws on grooved boards | Buy the one your fastener system uses |
Safety gear
- Safety glasses for every cut and every screw driven overhead.
- Hearing protection for the saw and the auger.
- Work gloves for lumber and concrete, which burns skin when wet.
- Knee pads for decking: you spend hours kneeling on the frame.
- A dust mask when cutting treated lumber or composite.
What the tools add to the bill
The DIY deck cost calculator prices three tool situations for the same 12x12 pressure-treated deck with a permit:
| Situation | Tool cost | Total DIY cost |
|---|---|---|
| Own a saw, driver and level already | $40-$120 (blades, bits, consumables) | $1,342-$2,348 |
| Rent an auger, buy a few small tools | $180-$400 | $1,482-$2,628 |
| Buy the whole basic kit | $450-$900 | $1,752-$3,128 |
A contractor charges about $2,851-$3,643 for that deck, so buying every tool for one small deck can take most of the saving. On a larger deck, or a second project, the tools pay for themselves; on a single small deck, rent and borrow. The cheapest way to build a deck compares the other ways to save.
A sensible starter kit
- Buy: tape measure, speed square, chalk line, 4 ft level, circular saw, drill/driver, impact driver, board spacers and safety gear.
- Rent: a two-person or towable auger for the footing day, and a mitre saw if you are building railing.
- Borrow: wheelbarrow, digging bar, long ladder.
Then run the deck materials calculator for your size so the lumber and hardware arrive on the same day as the tools, and follow how to build a deck for the sequence.
Choosing a digger or auger? See our post hole digger buying guide.
Using clips or edge screws? See our hidden deck fastener buying guide.
Materials & tools for this job
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DEWALT 20V MAX Circular Saw Cordless, Battery Not Included (DCS391B)
Save 38%
$99.00List Price:: $159.00
DEWALT 20V MAX Drill and Impact Driver (DCK240C2) | Includes 2 Batteries, Charger and Bag (
Save 38%
$149.00List Price:: $239.00
Swanson Speed® Square Pro, 7 in. Aluminum with PRO Blue Book (S0100-A) | Made in the USA by Swanson Tool Company. Mark both sides of a stud without sliding the square down.
$14.98
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Nohovu Post Hole Digger, Heavy Duty with Fiberglass Handle, Carbon Steel Blades, 58 Inches, Orange & Black
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$53.99List Price:: $56.99
8 Pcs ABS Deck Spacer Tool, 4 Thicknesses Orange Deck Board Spacers
$9.99
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IRWIN Tools STRAIT-LINE Chalk Line, Classic Reel, Blue, 100ft (IWHT48441BC)
$9.99
Check price on AmazonPrices and savings as of Oct 17, 2026, 4:36 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Shopping for someone? See our backyard gift guide for deck builders & DIYers.
Frequently asked questions
What tools do I need to build a deck?
A tape measure, string line, 4 ft level, post hole digger or rented auger, circular saw, speed square, chalk line, drill/driver and an impact driver, plus board spacers and safety gear. A mitre saw and stair gauges help with railing and stairs. Most of the list is ordinary carpentry kit you may already own.
Do I need an impact driver to build a deck?
It is not required, but it is the tool that saves the most time. A 12x12 deck takes about 400 deck screws and a 16x12 about 500, plus structural screws in the frame. A drill/driver can do it, but an impact driver drives long screws faster, with less strain and fewer stripped heads.
Should I rent or buy an auger for deck footings?
Rent one unless you have many holes or more projects coming. A deck usually needs three to six footing holes, which a rented power auger digs in an hour or two. Buying makes sense for fence builders, or if the ground is easy enough that a manual digger will do.
How much do deck building tools cost?
If you own a saw, driver and level, expect only $40-$120 for blades, bits and consumables. Renting an auger and buying a few small tools runs about $180-$400, and buying a complete basic kit costs about $450-$900. On a small deck that last figure can be a large share of the DIY saving.
What saw do I need to build a deck?
A circular saw does every cut a deck needs: framing, stringers and trimming board ends flush with a chalk line. A mitre saw makes repeated square and angled cuts faster and cleaner, which helps with railing and picture-frame borders, but it is optional and easy to rent for a day or two.
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