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Finished a great deck yesterday

| Posted in General Discussion on October 19, 2003 09:41am

Well dudes, I think Pro-Dek would be proud…wish I had a picture to post. 16×20 deck, all PT, with a Jacuzzi in one corner, a grill , and corrugated polycarbonate roof. Another guy was leading the job with me as his helper, but was taking too long so boss fired him and had me finish it by myself–no prob! Boss said it was one of the best decks he’d ever seen. BTW, this is only the second deck I’ve ever built and heck, I’m only 20. I think I see another raise in my future LOL.

Quality before Quantity

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  1. User avater
    DaveMason2 | Oct 19, 2003 10:11pm | #1

    Congrats on the deck.

     I love building decks, they're usually quick and easy and the homeowners are impressed at how much is done when they get home from work.

    The hard part is keeeping them from putting stuff in your way before you're done with the hand rail.

    Dave

  2. Framer | Oct 19, 2003 10:28pm | #2

    TAKE SOME PICTURES JASON

     

    Do you have a digital camera?

     

    Joe Carola

     

     

    1. FramerJay | Oct 22, 2003 03:49am | #12

      Sorry Joe, just a regular camera and a scanner I can use twice a week. I'll see if I can't get "corporate" to budget for something better soon LOL.Jason Pharez Construction

      Mobile, Alabama

      General Carpentry, Home Repairs, and Remodeling

      When quality is your only consideration

  3. User avater
    ProDek | Oct 19, 2003 11:28pm | #3

    Good for you Captain!

     The misconception is that ANYONE can build a deck.

    Well. yes, I guess anyone can, but just how much pride do they take in creating a truly finished outdoor living space?

    1. Is it designed in a way that has good traffic flow between the door and the hot tub, or do you have to walk around a table and chairs to get there?

    2. Are the butt joints predrilled before nailing to eliminate checking?

    3. Are the perimeter edges beveled and sanded with the fascia below the bevel?

    4.Is the fascia 5/4x 10 to eliminate cupping, and beveled on top to eliminate chipping?

    5. Is every edge hand sanded at completion ?

    I've seen few builders today that feel the need to carry there interior craftsmanship of a home to the outside living space of a deck.

    One of my sons jumps from framing homes to building decks with me and is really grateful for the opportunity to slow down and do a little finish carpentry once and awhile. He gets razzed about carrying a torpedo level, or chisel, or small pry bar in his bags when he frames, but he uses these tools ALOT in deck building.

    Plus sanders,chop saws, drills, routers,table saw, beam saw,screw guns,wire strippers, coil nailers, and other tools unused by framers. But the most rewarding thing for him is being able to step back and look at the finished project and feel proud, and have the opportunity to have the customer tell him how pleased they are with his work.

    So keep up the good work Captain, for your delight is not just your own but also the customers.

    Do post pictures when you can..............     

      

    "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

    Bob

    1. CAGIV | Oct 20, 2003 06:34am | #6

      The misconception is that ANYONE can build a deck.

      and boy do I have proof of that!

      1. User avater
        ProDek | Oct 20, 2003 06:47am | #7

        LOL Cag- you do have proof and unfortunately you have to look at it every day."Rather be a hammer than a nail"

        Bob

    2. FastEddie1 | Oct 20, 2003 06:48am | #8

      Here's a tough question, one that would probably be answered by "depends"...do you have an estimated number of man hours per sf of deck?  Not the ones that are 15 ft in the air, or six diffeent levels, but the typical deck.

      Do it right, or do it twice.

      1. User avater
        ProDek | Oct 20, 2003 07:25am | #9

        There is no such thing as typical in the deck world anymore Elcid because there are too many variables in material and options for a deck.

        I'm asked all the time "what do you charge per sq.ft.?"

        I could tell you but then how fair would that be to all the guys I haven't told?

        Man Hours? Well the last two decks I did  took 4 weeks for 3 guys.Now if we worked 8 hours per day ,which we don't, that would be 480 man hours, or $19200.00 in labor.Yes, I still only charge $40. per man hour.

        My prices are based on sq.ft+benches+rail+steps+lights+footings and all those prices are based on the products we use.

        I know this doesn't help much , but I worked too hard, too long, to give up my pricing techniques over the internet.

        If I told you $15-$25  per sq.ft. you would lose money.

        "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

        Bob

        1. FastEddie1 | Oct 20, 2003 02:27pm | #10

          Wasn't asking for dollars.  I'm curious about man hours.  I think that the decks I have built have taken too long to complete, but with a 2 man crew that might be normal.  Or at least should have been expected.

          Do it right, or do it twice.

          1. User avater
            ProDek | Oct 20, 2003 05:43pm | #11

            Most of our decks take 2-4 weeks but we only work about 6-7 hours per day.The rest of the time we are at the lumber yard drinking coffee, or sitting in traffic. 

            The decks take a little longer than framing because we are doing ALOT of finish/trim type work.

            The framing usually goes pretty fast but the stairs, benches, arbors, skirting, and lights can slow you down.

            "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

            Bob

    3. FramerJay | Oct 22, 2003 03:54am | #13

      Thanks Pro-Dek..I'm gonna print out your post for the good advice. Unfortunately, the quality was not the ABSOLUTE best it could have been, but then again, I was put on the job after a super-meticulous guy overshot the contractor's budget; i.e., I had to get it done well and fast. This particular customer cared more about us getting in and out than quality anyway, but I hope in the future I will get jobs not because my boss was the lowest bidder, but because his and my reputation are renowned.Jason Pharez Construction

      Mobile, Alabama

      General Carpentry, Home Repairs, and Remodeling

      When quality is your only consideration

  4. Piffin | Oct 19, 2003 11:51pm | #4

    I'm not sure if I've got you confused with somebody else in my mind, but I first thought you were a young guy, then after reading a lot of your comments over the past few weeks, I concluded that I must be wrong - you seem to have knowledge that a thirty year old with plenty of experience would have.

    Now you say you are only 20YO. Was that a misprint?

    BTW, congratulations.

    .

    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. CAGIV | Oct 20, 2003 06:34am | #5

      Was that a misprint?

      No, he's just that damn good.

      BTW, see how some of the younger generation can act mature and smart...  maybe I could learn a thing or two ;)

      Edited 10/19/2003 11:52:44 PM ET by CAG

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