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Homeowner: Mohit Patiyal
Location: Point Cook, 22km south-west of the Melbourne CBD
The project: A low-level timber deck
The budget: $5000
Mohit’s top tip for renovators: “The more you research, the better you're going to do it, and the less mistakes you make.”
For Mohit Patiyal, nothing quite beats the pride felt when gazing on a newly completed D.I.Y. project.
Indeed, when he surveys the low-level timber deck he built in the backyard of his Melbourne home, he says he feels quite proud of his achievement.
An engineer by training and a project manager by day, Mohit says that while he is relatively new at D.I.Y., he is learning fast – and he loves it. This project turned an awkward space of his home into a lovely outdoor space that is perfect for entertaining.
“Building it yourself gives you a sense of achievement,” he explains. “You may not be able to build a house, but you can definitely build a deck and enjoy the benefits!”
Self-taught, Mohit says he is a big believer in research, which is why he spent more time planning than building the deck.
“The planning took me at least two to three months, while the construction part was a month max,” he says.
“I'm just learning as I'm doing things. The more you research, the better you're going to do it, and the less mistakes you make.”
Because Mohit wanted the deck to provide a seamless connection between the inside and outside spaces of his home, the main challenge was sorting out the right heights and levels for the timber. The deck sits on a concrete slab, which helped.
“I wanted the levels to work around the back door from the house as well,” he says. “Working on a fixed ground really helps because then you don’t have to use stumps.”
Mohit says they decided to build the deck with timber so it would match the timber flooring inside the house, helping to visually connect the two spaces.
“We were originally thinking of tiling the concrete floor, but were a bit concerned that tiles wouldn’t give us the look that we wanted,” he says. “And tiles wouldn’t have been functional because our two young girls, who are two and four, are in and out a lot and we thought tiles would be more slippery.”
“The timber makes that outdoor area feel like you’re stepping into the garden.”
Before starting, Mohit had local trades come to quote on the work, with most costings coming to about $8000. He decided that he could probably build the deck himself for a lower cost, while using more expensive materials. In the end, by doing the work himself, the project cost about $5000, so he figures he’s way ahead.
”When I looked at those quotes, they were giving me X amount of value, but the timber was not as good. I was prepared to spend this much anyway, because that's what it'll cost me.
“However, by doing it myself, I knew that even if I made a mistake, I would still have the funds available to go back and buy the timber again. And I chose the premium product for every single thing. So I bought the premium wood, the top merbau, and the premium oil, so that's my incentive, instead of going for the basic materials.”
As a novice D.I.Yer, Mohit is full of praise for the staff at his local Bunnings, who helped him at every step of the process.
“I think that's the thing with Bunnings,” he says. “They have people who know a lot about what I need and it's good to have a chat. I try to go at the times when it's not super crazy, so you can have a chat to them about projects and they can guide you properly.
“With the deck project, I also spoke to the Bunnings online [Workshop] team quite a few times to say things such as, ‘Hey, this is what I'm thinking – that's my lever, that's my angle, that's my brackets – do [you think] they’ll come together?’ I think we tested it back and forth quite a few times before I put my first timber on the floor.
“It worked out well and they were quite helpful in the journey – because as a D.I.Yer, that's what you need.”
The deck was part of the plan for the backyard, says Mohit, which included a new lawn and perimeter garden.
While some of his neighbours opted for artificial grass, Mohit says he wanted the real thing, again turning to Bunnings for advice and recommendations.
“The problem with the grass was the lack of sun,” he says. “I spoke to a few people at Bunnings – the garden expert and the lawn expert – and asked about the kind of grass that could withstand the lack of sun. Then I measured and tracked how much sunlight I'm getting in the front yard and the back, using those devices to monitor sunlight.
“Based on that, I knew that's the maximum sunlight I was going to get. And based on this, I went looking for the grass. I couldn’t go for the best kikuyu because it needs more sun; I have to have something that will survive.”
Mohit says he loves showing off the completed deck to friends and family. “You have no idea how many parties I hosted afterwards, just for people to come and have a look at the deck, not just the food!” he says.
He adds that even though the deck is not very big, it is the most used part of the house now because the family now spends so much time outdoors.
“We leave that section of the house open,” he says. “Dogs are around there, kids are there playing, we sit outside and drink tea, coffee, whatever. I am pretty happy with the use it’s getting.”
To see more projects like Mohit's timber deck, visit the Bunnings Workshop community. You’ll find project advice and inspiration for every space around the home, indoors and out.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
