Once you’ve got your GOODLAND tub, one of the best parts is finding the perfect spot for it, whether it’s just steps from your home or off-grid in nature. Your hot tub can be positioned on any type of ground, as long as it’s near level and has reasonably good drainage, like concrete, pavers, gravel, wood chips, grass, and decking to be the best choices.
Many opt for a platform or deck for their tub, which helps ensure a stable, level, and supportive space designed specifically for the tub. A deck also allows for a better experience to enter and exit the tub itself.
We spoke with Wes of @goodwoodandco to get his insider tips and step-by-step guide on how to build a deck. We’re excited to get to share the plans themselves, exclusively with our GOODLAND tub customers. Wes' plans are designed for the Wood Burning Hot Tub, but could also be easily adapted for other GOODLAND tubs.
They’re also the owners behind Between the Pines, a small nature-focused retreat opening soon in Tennessee and featuring a GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub.
A Beginner-Friendly Platform
Instead of needing to hire a contractor, anyone who’s comfortable safely operating building equipment can tackle this project. A platform just for your Wood Burning Hot Tub raises the tub off of the ground, without triggering building regulations in most areas. “Since the deck is freestanding and under 30 inches in height, there’s no need for permits or code compliance in most areas,” explains Wes. “We designed this project to be as beginner-friendly as possible—not just for ourselves, but for anyone following along. It requires minimal tools and cuts. All you need is a drill and a circular saw to get it done.”
What You Need to Get Started
You’ll need some basic building equipment to make sure you have everything to create a deck, including a circular saw, power drill, sander, and a few other basic equipment pieces.
“Pressure-treated wood is a must for this project, it’s durable, weather-resistant, and readily available at most big-box stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s,” says Wes.
A Key Tip to Keep in Mind
For Wes, it’s essential to hand-pick your lumber. “Since this project has some structural elements, it’s important to select boards with minimal warping, bending, or twisting to ensure a solid build.”
DIY Platform Deck (10x12) for Beginners
Explore the plans, courtesy of Wes below.
Materials
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5/4 in. x 6 in. x 10 ft. pressure-treated deck boards (27x)
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2 in. x 8 in. x 12 ft. pressure-treated pine boards (13x)
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2 in. x 8 in. x 10 ft. pressure-treated pine boards (2x)
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Box of 3in wood deck screws (YELLOW, 1lb / 73pc)
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Box of 2 1/2in wood deck screws (YELLOW, 5lbs / 365pc)
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Paint or stain of choice (optional)
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Stain brush (optional)
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2in hole saw bit, for adding a GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub (optional)
Note, the hyperlinks are for products Wes used.
Step 1: Make the Frame
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Determine the position of your deck based on your space
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Get a partner to help you
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Grab 2 of your 2x8x10ft and 2 of your 2x8x12ft boards
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No need to cut anything here
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Place a 10ft board on the outside of the 12ft board
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Make sure the inside corner is as square as possible
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Drive four 3in screws from the outside of the 10ft board into the 12ft board
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Do the same for all 4 corners
Step 2: Leveling and Alignment
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Once you have your frame built and in your desired position it’s time to make sure the platform is square and level
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Take your measuring tape and measure from one corner to the opposite corner (as seen below)
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Now do the same for the other two corners
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The measurements must match to ensure the deck is square
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Again, it’s okay if the measurements do not match exactly
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The goal is to get as close as possible
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The measurements from corner-to-corner on our deck was 189 3/4in
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Now that the platform is square, to ensure that it is level
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There is a 99% chance your ground is not level
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Due to this, you will need to cut the remaining four of your 2x8x12ft boards into small supports called "blocking"
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These will be used to lift the deck in low spots to get the platform as level as possible
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Walk around your deck using the eye test to see if any spots look higher or lower than others
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Take your level and move it around the deck to see where you need to add the blocking
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Have your partner lift the section of the deck that is low until the level shows it’s flat
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Then use the 2 1/2in screws to attach the blocking to the inside joists
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There is no right amount of blocking to use here
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Wes ended up using a lot since their deck is literally at the top of a slopped hill
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The goal is to get it as level as possible, without it being noticeably off
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This is not structural, so don’t worry if it isn’t perfectly level everywhere
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If you can slide the level, or piece of long wood, across the deck without it getting stuck, you're good to go!
Step 3: Installing the Deck Boards
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Alright, now you ideally have a square and level platform
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Now it’s time to grab your deck boards and screw them into the top of the deck
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You want to start with the most visible side of your deck
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Do this to ensure you start flush at the most seen part of the deck
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Screw in one corner of the board to the frame and then screw in the other end, making sure that it is aligned with the edge of the frame
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Once you’ve got it straight, drive two 2 1/2in screws to the inside joists
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Each board should get 18 screws (try to keep the screws in a straight line)
A Few Tips
- You want to get the boards as tight as possible to each other.
- Have a partner firmly hold the board against the other while driving the screws
- These boards will naturally expand / contract due to the outdoor elements, but you want to minimize that movement as much as possible
- You can also use something as a wedge (a shovel works great) to pry the board close to one another if it is severely warped
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Another tip, when you’re applying screws to the end of the boards spin them counterclockwise to create a slight burn
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Then switch the drill to clockwise and drive the screw in
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The heat will prevent the screw from splitting the end of board
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Arguably the most important, and most debated tip: Install the boards with a "rainbow" face down, not a "smile" which is face up
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Why? Less splintering, not as much cupping, etc.
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Keeping those tips in mind, continue installing the deck boards all the way to the end
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For installing a GOODLAND Wood Burning Hot Tub on the deck, drill holes for the draining tube prior to installing all the planks
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You can buy a hole saw drill bit that cuts through the wood like butter
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Then slide the tube through the deck and continue installing drill images
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You should have used 26 of the 27 deck boards with one extra remaining
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This is in case you got to the end and there is a small gap showing
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Don’t worry, it happens, you can either rip the extra board and screw it in or leave it alone (no biggie, only you will notice)
Step 4: Apply your Stain
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This step is completely optional... remember you got “pressure-treated” wood, so no need to seal it with anything — just pressure wash to clean it
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To stain, I would opt for oil-based over water-based, due to durability. Water-based stains surprisingly have more chemicals in them which is not ideal
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Wes used Behr Natural Cedar Tone Stain on his deck
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Only need to apply one coat and it has a protective sealant mixed in as well
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Pro-tip: Let your deck dry out for 2-4 weeks before staining otherwise the chemicals from the pressure treated wood will seep out into your stain
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I’d say 1-2 weeks in the summer and 4+ if you’re building it in the colder months
Step 5: Step Back and Admire Your Work
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You did the thing like we knew you could!
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It’s time to add your hot tub and/or furniture to the deck and chill out
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Wes made this specifically for our Wood Fired Hot Tub at our tiny home Airbnb
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Follow Wes on Instagram (@betweenthepinesrl) to see when you can book, and give it a test drive.
Craig Pearce
Craig is the founder behind GOODLAND, who launched the company with the Wood Burning Hot Tub. A designer and furniture maker, he’s passionate about creating well-designed and minimal objects and tools to connect people with nature — knowing that when we move half as fast, we notice twice as much.
