Pat Fern

Pat Fern Welcome to Pat Fern ! I not a saler! I just share other creator art with love! Creator I give credit below the caption!

My jaw kind of dropped when I looked at where we started versus where we are now. New support structure, new stairs, new...
05/30/2026

My jaw kind of dropped when I looked at where we started versus where we are now. New support structure, new stairs, new railing system, and now we're setting forms for the concrete landing. Everything looks straightforward on paper, but I know the internet can spot issues that everyone on site somehow misses. Be honest—does this look ready for concrete, or is there something here that would make you hit the brakes before moving forward?

This project started as a simple inspection and quickly turned into a beam and column replacement job. Once we got under...
05/30/2026

This project started as a simple inspection and quickly turned into a beam and column replacement job. Once we got underneath, it became obvious that kicking the can down the road wasn't going to be an option. New posts, new beam support, fresh concrete, and a lot of digging later, this is where we're at. I’m pretty happy with the transformation, but I know there are plenty of sharp eyes in this group. If you walked onto this jobsite today, what would be the first thing you'd check?

I honestly don't know if I'm overreacting, but after staring at this project for weeks, I've completely lost the ability...
05/30/2026

I honestly don't know if I'm overreacting, but after staring at this project for weeks, I've completely lost the ability to judge it objectively. The deck is finally built, the stairs are in, and the homeowner side of my brain says it looks great. The paranoid side keeps wondering if I missed something important. Before I call it done and move on with life, I'd love some honest opinions. Looking at this picture alone, what would you praise and what would you criticize?

My jaw kind of dropped when I compared the before photos to where we ended up. There were moments during this build wher...
05/30/2026

My jaw kind of dropped when I compared the before photos to where we ended up. There were moments during this build where it felt like we were making no progress at all, then suddenly everything started coming together at once. New deck, new porch, fresh framing, and a whole new outdoor living space. These are the projects that remind me why I enjoy this work. Looking at the finished structure, what would you add next to make it the perfect backyard setup?

My jaw kind of dropped when I looked at the number of footings and posts this thing needed before we could even think ab...
05/30/2026

My jaw kind of dropped when I looked at the number of footings and posts this thing needed before we could even think about framing. People see the finished deck and think it’s all about the boards and railings, but the real work is buried underground and hidden underneath. Right now it probably looks like a random collection of posts sticking out of the dirt, but in a few weeks it'll completely transform this backyard. Anyone else actually enjoy this stage more than the finished product?

One thing I always tell homeowners is that deck size isn't the only thing that matters. A lot of people try to squeeze i...
05/30/2026

One thing I always tell homeowners is that deck size isn't the only thing that matters. A lot of people try to squeeze in extra posts, beams, and storage underneath without realizing how much it affects the usable space below. We just wrapped this one up and I honestly love how open it feels underneath. Whether it's for storage, a future patio, lawn equipment, or just easier access to the house, having clear space below can make a huge difference. Am I the only one who thinks usable space underneath a deck is just as important as the deck itself?

I finally got around to building the stairs for my new deck and I’ll admit I was more nervous about cutting the stringer...
05/30/2026

I finally got around to building the stairs for my new deck and I’ll admit I was more nervous about cutting the stringers than building the actual deck. I measured everything multiple times, checked my rise and run, and still felt like I was one bad cut away from turning expensive lumber into firewood. The stringers are in place now, but before I keep going, I’d love some honest feedback. Do these look right to you guys, or is there something obvious I should fix before I get too much further?

I am honestly sick over this deck. We paid almost $17,000 for it years ago, and now I’m staring at support posts that lo...
05/29/2026

I am honestly sick over this deck. We paid almost $17,000 for it years ago, and now I’m staring at support posts that look like they’ve been soaking in a swamp. The bottoms of multiple posts are blackened, the beam has heavy staining and discoloration, and there’s visible weathering all over the structural members. The contractor who originally built it told us “pressure-treated lumber lasts forever” and that “a little discoloration is normal,” but this doesn’t feel like a little discoloration anymore. Every time I look underneath, it seems like the posts get darker and the beam looks rougher. It honestly feels like the deck is aging in dog years. Can this actually be salvaged with repairs and reinforcement, or am I looking at a complete rebuild situation? Am I overreacting?

Somebody please give me a final reality check because I genuinely don't trust my own judgment anymore. The footings are ...
05/29/2026

Somebody please give me a final reality check because I genuinely don't trust my own judgment anymore. The footings are poured, posts are installed, joists are framed, and the layout is finally taking shape. My concern is whether I'm missing critical items like additional blocking, lateral bracing, beam connections, stair planning, railing reinforcement, or anything else that's much easier to address before the deck boards go down. I've already spent around $10,500 and I'd rather hear hard truths now than discover mistakes after everything is finished. One contractor told me "most DIY problems happen because people rush the next phase," and I keep hearing that in my head every time I pick up a tool. It kind of feels like I'm at the point of no return. If this were your deck, what would you inspect before continuing?

Please tell me I'm not the only person who reaches this stage of a project and suddenly develops construction paranoia. ...
05/29/2026

Please tell me I'm not the only person who reaches this stage of a project and suddenly develops construction paranoia. The framing is finished, the footings are in, the posts are standing, and the deck boards are literally sitting there waiting to be installed. Yet somehow I'm convinced there's one hidden mistake lurking in this structure waiting to reveal itself five minutes after I declare victory. We've probably got $10,000 invested so far, and I've reached the point where every YouTube video introduces a brand-new thing I supposedly should have done three weekends ago. One guy says add more blocking. Another says more flashing. Another says more bracing. At this rate I'm going to end up building a nuclear bunker instead of a deck. Before I start laying boards and lock everything in forever... what would you inspect, question, or roast about this build?

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Los Angeles, CA
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