To build a deck you will probably need writing utensils, a construction calculator, deck board samples, untreated wood, pressure treated wood, dimensional lumber, pressure treated lumber, concrete, hardware, and wood deck posts. First you need to estimate how much lumber you need by looking at the elements of your deck; the foundation, the frame, and the stairs. This will be made of concrete and framing lumber in most cases. Next, estimate how much concrete you need per cardboard tube. It will vary based on the tube size and how deep it is in the ground. Concrete comes in 80 pound bags. Think about what requires hardware and how much and what kind you'll need. These are just some basic materials you may need to build a deck. The type of deck you are building can impact the kind of material you need.