15 How-Tos From Trade School

1. 1. How to Build Custom Deck Railings

   

   4 Thumbs

   With the deck floor complete, build custom railings. The decks support posts serve as mounts for the new railing system.

   Time:

   Day

   Cost:

   $500 to $1000

   Difficulty:

   Moderate to Hard

2. 2. How to Build a Flower Box

   

   5 Thumbs

   The deck is completed with construction of a flower box and applying a fresh coat of deck stain.

   Time:

   Day

   Cost:

   $100 to $250

   Difficulty:

   Moderate

3. 3. How to Construct a Deck Perimeter

   

   2 Thumbs

   With the support posts anchored in dried concrete, the next step in the project is constructing the deck perimeter.

   Time:

   Weekend

   Cost:

   $500 to $1000

   Difficulty:

   Moderate to Hard

4. 4. How to Install Floor Joists and Deck Boards

   3 Thumbs

   Having established the deck perimeter, the floor joists are finished and the redwood decking is attached.

   Time:

   Weekend

   Cost:

   $250 to $500

   Difficulty:

   Moderate to Hard

5. 5. How to Remove a Concrete Porch

   

   1 Thumbs

   The first step in adding a redwood deck to an older house is to break up the existing concrete porch, followed by setting the new suppo...

   Time:

   Several Weekends

   Cost:

   $2500 to $5000

   Difficulty:

   Moderate to Hard

6. 6. How to Repave a Driveway

   

   0 Thumbs

   If your driveway is cracking, it may be time to install a new surface.

   Time:

   Several Weekends

   Cost:

   $5000 to $10000

   Difficulty:

   Hard

7. 7. How To Build Flagstone Stairs

   

   4 Thumbs

   Learn how to add character to a backyard with a flagstone staircase.

   Time:

   Several Weekends

   Cost:

   $5000 to $10000

   Difficulty:

   Hard

8. 8. How to Make a Wall-Mounted Pot Rack

   

   0 Thumbs

   Blacksmith student Randy Parker heats things up by forging a wall-mounted steel pot rack for his kitchen.

   Time:

   Several Weekends

   Cost:

   $50 to $100

   Difficulty:

   Hard

9. 9. How to Build a Concrete Bathroom Countertop

   

   5 Thumbs

   Concrete apprentice Mike Ferrara shows how to build a custom concrete bathroom countertop.

   Time:

   Several Weekends

   Cost:

   $2500 to $5000

   Difficulty:

   Hard

10. 10. How to Replace a Gas Water Heater

    

    5 Thumbs

    Replacing a gas water heater is a fairly basic plumbing project, but there are several dangers involved when dealing with natural gas. ...

    Time:

    Two Days

    Cost:

    $500 to $1000

    Difficulty:

    Hard