Here are our top tips to save money on your new deck: • Consider a low or ground-level deck. These decks or “wooden patios,” as some call them, do not require railings, stairs, or extensive substructures. You may not need a permit to build one, either. • Scale down the size of your deck. This is a tricky one, because, as one builder noted, none of his customers wished for a smaller deck in hindsight. However, a smaller deck can save you a lot in material and labor costs. Think carefully about your purpose for building the deck and your budget to come up with a wallet-friendly solution. • Use local materials. Local costs less because you don't have to pay for transportation from too far away. • Remember maintenance costs. Pressure-treated pine might sound great right now because it costs so much less upfront than other decking materials, but you'll have to re-seal and re-stain or re-paint the wood every one or two years. Those costs can add up in the long run, especially if you hire a professional to do the painting or staining.