Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Deck Leveling

I would like to extend my present deck. Instead of having it in the back only, I want to extend it around the side of the house to the front.
My question is how do I level the deck if the ground is not level all the way around to the front?

If you own a 4 ft or 6 ft level, use that.

All levelness comes without respect to the ground. Level is level. If the ground goes up and down, that's ok. You just have to use longer or shorter support members.

Use a water level to get it level around corners. I'd be more than happy to explain, but you can probably do a google search and get a great explanation on how to make a water level ($5 or less worth of materials) and with one other persons help, it will turn out very level. I find it just as accurate if not more accurate than any of the fancy expensive laser tools out there.

I use a water level anytime I have to get something level over an appreciable distance.

Good Luck.

A water level is going to be 100% accurate because water seeks it own level. No manufactured level (other than a water level) will ever be as accurate.

Cheap? $5 of clear vinyl tubing can go a long ways!

What the ground does makes no difference. You will be setting your beams to the proper level by adjusting the post length as needed. Don't worry that the top of your footings (either with the post bases embedded in them or peir blocks embedded in them) aren't level. Again, that's where you adjust the post length to achieve level.

Construct the perimeter of the addition first, only installing posts at the joints in the rim joists and at the corners. Then install the interior joists, followed by the interior posts and additional posts in the perimeter. This way you only have to level the perimeter or rim joists.

Of course I'm beating a dead horse here but WATER level all the way. The BEAUTY of a water level is that it is just as accurate at 2' as it is at 200'. Try THAT with a laser level, if the laser level is not dead perfectly level you're going to be off by a little and the further you go the more off you're going to be.

Also I'd like to see a laser level turn a corner. I'm not a pro by any stretch and I found a water level to be extremely accurate and easy to use.