A clear plan.
A little help when you need it.
Help with deck estimates, material lists, cut plans and your saved work.
Contact support
Email support@handsbuiltsoftware.com.
Include your iPhone model, iOS version, app version and the steps that led to the problem. A screenshot of the error can help. Please remove customer names, addresses and other private information before sharing.
Start your first estimate
Use the sample deck to explore the app, or start a new deck estimate. Enter a customer or project name, deck dimensions, finished walking height, decking and framing choices, and footing dimensions from your project design. Calculate and preview the result. Sample dimensions are examples, not approved construction details.
What do finished height and grade mean?
Finished walking height is the top of the installed decking above surrounding ground, entered in inches. The cleared level beneath the deck is separate. Clearing or excavation adds space for framing without changing the requested finished height.
Where are my material and cut lists?
After calculating, switch the preview to Contractor. Open Material purchase list for stock and hardware quantities, or Full cuts, stock, waste & costs for the cuts assigned to each piece. Customer PDFs omit the private contractor material and cut pages.
Set railing sides and baluster spacing
Enable Calculate railing from deck sides and choose Left, Right and Front; Back is available for freestanding decks. Enter actual post and baluster widths, cut lengths and the desired maximum clear gap. Contractor output shows equal gaps, on-center spacing and individual marking positions. Front means farthest from the host structure. Stair railing left and right are viewed looking down the stairs.
Add stairs and a stringer guide
Select a stair side, exposed edge and offset. The automatic railing calculation deducts the stair opening. Enable the custom stringer guide for rise/run settings, bottom tread adjustment and blank lengths. Confirm the project's structural, connection, support and graspable handrail details before cutting or building.
Why does it warn that prices are missing?
Prices are editable starting values. Go Back lets you enter missing costs, while Proceed Anyway generates an incomplete estimate with unpriced purchases marked. Confirm local supplier prices and complete missing costs before issuing a final quote or ordering materials.
Save, back up and restore your work
Save an estimate from its preview to keep the customer, inputs, result and price snapshot. Export a complete backup from Settings to a location you control. Import previews a backup before merging records. Repeated imports do not create duplicate records with the same IDs. Export a backup before deleting the app or changing devices; the app does not provide its own cloud sync.
Share a PDF or CSV
The preview offers a customer estimate PDF. Contractor view has separate contractor PDF and cut/material CSV exports. Choose a destination in the iPhone share sheet. Review the exported document before sending it to a customer.
What devices and services does the app need?
Deck Builder requires iOS 17 or later on iPhone. Calculations and saved estimates work offline. No app account or subscription is required. Email support and services you choose for sharing or backup may need an internet connection.