A couple of things I read seem to suggest that I should start my first course of deck boards at the edge away from the house and work toward the house. This seems backwards to me. What is the rational? Can I go the other way - house out?
You have a full piece out at the end thats the rational to that.
I never start out it the end / away from the building.
I do figure out the board widths and the space and come up with a overall width of the deck, and lay out 'check points' as I go , then about 7 or 8 boards from the end I really pay attention to where I'll end and cheat some gaps if I need to.
Another way is to run the joist a little long and when you get near the end , then measure and cut off the joist, add your rim and any trim when you closer to the end, less margin of error that way.
Thanks. I'll start at the house and trim the joists.