DIY Mum Quoted £3k For New Decking Area Builds It Herself For Just £540
- Melissa Preston, 44, was quoted £3,000 to have a new decking area built
- She managed to pull off the project herself for just £540
- Melissa used a neighbour’s old decking, bannisters and handrails that were destined for the skip
Now that the sun is finally showing signs of coming out, you might have been tempted to install an outdoor seating area in your garden.
But with costs being extortionate, one mum decided to take building a pergola and decking area upon herself.
Melissa Preston, 44, a mum of two from Northampton, was quoted a staggering £3,000 for professionals to build her a new decking area.
Melissa, who owns a cleaning company, decided to build it herself - and managed to pull off the project for just £540.
Her clever money-saving tricks included using a neighbour’s old decking, bannisters and handrails that were destined for the skip, and repurposing old furniture she had bought years ago from Lidl and Aldi.
Melissa told money-saving Facebook group DIY On A Budget UK: "After being quoted almost £3,000 to have a new decking area I decided to save the money and do it all myself at a fraction of the price.
“I was fed up with the girls dragging bark into the hot tub!
“My first task was to decide how big I wanted the decking. Once this was decided I ordered all the decking and the pergola.
"The longest and toughest part of the project was getting the area cleared and de-weeded. This seemed to take forever.
“Once it was all up to scratch I was then ready to start the build.
"I was very nervous as I’ve never tackled anything on this scale before, let alone done the whole thing myself.
"But I do like a challenge so this spurred me on.
"Once I had made the base I spent hours making sure the posts that it would sit in were completely level.
"When using cement I will say it’s a great idea to mix it right near where you are using it.
"I made this mistake and by the time I walked it around it already started to go hard.
"Once the hard bit was all done I was ready to lay the decking.
"I found this easy and really satisfying to watch it all come together.
"I then erected the pergola singlehandedly.
“I’d say maybe get someone to help with this part as it would save time and your frustration!
"I saw that my local neighbour was going to skip their old bannisters, decking and rails, so I asked if I could have them and they agreed.
“It saved them a trip to the tip.
"I hadn’t originally planned to put a railing up but I thought these would be ideal and really showcase the rest of my work.
"Then it was onto the staining and painting.
“I loved this part as my creation was all starting to come together.
"The most enjoyable part for me was 100% styling the area.
“The best bit was making use of some old decking and handrails that a neighbour was going to skip!
"Someone joked last year I’d be building an extension next!
“Not quite but this was definitely the biggest task I’ve ever decided to tackle, with the help of YouTube.
"The hardest part was definitely mixing the cement.
"In total, it cost me around £540.
"The decking came as a kit from Merit Garden Products so everything I needed was supplied.
“It was £280 and then the pergola again came as a kit so was all supplied for £200.
“The rest of the money went on decking stain and paint from Screwfix.
"The hot tub was a special buy from the middle of Lidl about four years ago now.
"The seating was from Aldi special buys a few years ago now and came with a table.
“I thought it would look ideal in this area to relax on.
"I already had an image in my mind before I started and to be honest it turned out way better than I expected.
"I’m over the moon, and I now enjoy my morning cuppa out there in peace.
“It was bloody hard work, but I'm so pleased I gave myself the challenge.
“Where there’s a will there’s a way.
"Saving so much money has inspired me to do more things myself!”
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, comments: “Every summer, as the weather improves, those of us who are lucky enough to have outside space often dream of improving it, but the costs can be prohibitive.
“Good on Melissa for drastically jazzing up her garden, and for saving thousands of pounds while doing so - I love that she repurposed old bits from her neighbour’s house that were destined for the tip.
"Great for her garden, great for her wallet, great for the neighbour and great for the environment too!"
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