Template and spacing tool for deck construction and methods of use

A construction tool comprising:

• a template portion arranged in a first plane, the template portion including a plate having a slot defined therethrough, the plate being rectangular in shape, and the slot being angled with respect to an edge of the plate and configured to facilitate marking, through the slot, a cut line on a construction material;
• and
• a base portion being arranged in a second plane, the second plane being orthogonal to the first plane, the base portion having:
• a first portion disposed on a first side of the plate of the template portion;
• and
• a second portion disposed on a second side of the plate of the template portion that is opposite the first side of the plate,
• the first portion of the base portion having a first thickness, the first portion of the base portion being configured for spacing construction materials with a spacing equal to the first thickness, and
• the second portion of the base portion having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness, the second portion of the base portion being configured for spacing construction materials with a spacing equal to the second thickness,
• a surface of the second portion of the base portion defining a proximal end of the construction tool, and
• an edge of the plate opposite the base portion defining a distal end of the construction tool.