Customer Reviews

Deck Planner: 120 Outstanding Decks You Can Build

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I purchased this book after finding out they were tied to a large company that provide detailed plans as well.

Later, I find that the plans you are sent for the ADDITIONAL $75.00 are complete junk. The company the book also refers to, is out of business, and all the out of spec/code/date plans are from another company.

The book is absolutely USELESS to anyone that wants to look and pick out building plans. It belongs in the recycle bucket.

This book is completely useless. The renderings are basic, they don't offer anything interesting or imaginative. Then you have to pay more money to gets plans for decks you wouldn't build anyway.

Totally Worthless!!!

I needed to see more options before accepting a professional landscape designer's proposal. It would have cost hundreds of dollars to have him draw up more ideas, but by consulting the Deck Planner I was able to suggest ideas I wanted him to persue.

The Deck Planner I purchased was in perfect condition and the diagrams and photos were even better than I expected. If you're looking for some good ideas, order this item today.

To be fair, the title of the book *is* DECK **PLANNER**, and not "Deck BUILDING Guide". I guess the real question is, does the title accurately represent the contents of the book. Sure, the main title is "Deck Planner". But, also on the front cover is, "120 Outstanding Decks You Can Build." This is where I have a problem with this book.

Sure, you might possibly build some of the decks from the information in this book. You would likely need to be a fairly experienced deck builder though. With the exception of the first 12 pages, which contain some VERY basic information about building techniques, the balance of the book (125+ pages!) is just very basic drawings trying to sell overly expensive deck plans. The drawings lack any useful details for actually BUILDING that style deck. It's clear why they don't have any detail. They are wanting you to pay an additional $75 to purchase a set of building plans for EACH deck in which you are interested. In reality, it's $10 for a book of mostly advertisements for expensive deck plans. I have purchased adequate deck plans from other plan services for much less than $75/set!

The only real plus side of this book, and why I gave it a rating of TWO instead of ONE, is that there are SOME drawings of decks that are not the traditional square or rectangle. Some of these drawings are interesting. But again, are their plans worth $75? NOT in my opinion.

In hindsight, (ALWAYS 20-20) I should have read the reviews before purchasing. It is clear from other reviews that this book is exactly what it is and maybe not what they want you to THINK it is. I accept responsibility for my mistake. It is just that I generally expect better quality from hanley-wood publishing.

I hope this review will save others from making the same uninformed mistake as did I.

This book is the BEST! My husband has read and reread several chapters. Even our city planner person wanted a copy of it. They wanted to know where to find it so they could tell others about it. This is the most comprehensive book of any I looked at - by far, with great drawings and pictures, and the "Pro Tips" are absolutely wonderful to end up with a beautifully finished project.