Deck builder recommendations -

[avandelay]

I'm currently in the quote phase of building a deck on my home. I know my limitations and adding a deck myself is way beyond my ability. Can anyone recommend a builder in the Weld/Boulder county area? I'm not looking for a $25/sq ft beauty, just a 15x32 ground-level deck to replace my crappy porch.

Thanks

[kwando]

You can always find someone to do the rough framing, and you finish it. I am also in the process, and the first bid I got was WAY higher than i thought it would be.

[Bailey Guns]

Me, too. That's why I'm replacing mine myself with help from my son. You'd be surprised how easy it is once you get the basics done.

Wish I could give you some recommendations.

[avandelay]

I've had three quotes so far and they range from $19,000 to $9000 with the 9k quote being pressure treated. I've done a rough materials cost at $2500 for Redwood so I'm a bit shocked at the quotes. I'd love to do it myself, but it's just me and I don't know that I have the skillset necessary to even complete a rough-in. I'm leaning more towards pressure treated because I would be pissed when the Trex, or Trex-like, decking warped or was scratched by my excited lab. But, if 9K for a 15x35 pressure treated deck is standard for this area then it is what it is. That just seems a bit high to me.

[SuperiorDG]

You can get a how to book at HD or Lowes and do it yourself. If you have the tools it's easy.

[68Charger]

. I'm leaning more towards pressure treated because I would be pissed when the Trex, or Trex-like, decking warped or was scratched by my excited lab. But, if 9K for a 15x35 pressure treated deck is standard for this area then it is what it is. That just seems a bit high to me.

I'd recommend against the pressure treated lumber for the decking... It will warp without your dog's help...
Western red cedar is MUCH more dimensionally stable... Redwood would also be a better choice than PT...

Don't make the same mistake I did... Had to redo it all in cedar...

[Wulf202]

How long do you want it to last?

[avandelay]

How long do you want it to last?

Years? I'm prepared to seal it every year. I'm all for the buy once, cry once purchase, but I don't want to watch the 'spensive stuff get torn up by the dogs. I was just taken back by the spread of the quotes and the overall labor costs for what is essentially three days work for a crew.

[avandelay]

I'd recommend against the pressure treated lumber for the decking... It will warp without your dog's help...
Western red cedar is MUCH more dimensionally stable... Redwood would also be a better choice than PT...

Don't make the same mistake I did... Had to redo it all in cedar...

Good to know. What is the cost of Cedar vs pressure treated and Redwood?

[def90]

Ask if you can see some past work and get some references from the builders. Labor is expensive and if you want quality work that is going to last you will have to pay for it.

[HoneyBadger]

Dogs won't scratch the trex stuff unless they are the dogs from hell with sharpened steel claws.

[Wulf202]

Trex doesn't last in the uv exposure we have.

Redwood is best for homeowners willing to stain every year

[colorider]

Pressure treated and cedar suck for decks. The grain comes up and splinters horribly. Even if you stain and treat it a lot. Trex is great stuff. Not the knockoff stuff available at home depot or lowes. Trex brand only. I used the knockoff stuff and it crumbled and fell apart in 1 year. Part of a class action lawsuit and got it replaced for free w trex product. 7 years and full western sun and it looks like new.
Bannel decks is who did the trex job for me. They were hired by the company who produced the knockoff product that failed.
Bannel did an amazing job. Fast and really good work.
http://www.banellcustom.com/

Also avoid Barefoot Decks at all costs. The owner is a degenerate drunk and his work is horrible. That is if he ever finishes the job.

[rockhound]

As a former contractor who has built more decks i ever cared to, either product is fine, PT or redwood, the underside of your deck should be pressure treated regardless of the finshed deck materials.

I have photos of a 1500 sf multilevel deck deck that we built completely from PT and when finished you would swear it was cedar or redwood, I just finished my own deck that with the front walkway and extension on the end is over 78 feet wide with a 400 sf main entertainment area the entire deck is pressure treated, people who have seen it just want to rub their hands on it because they cant believe the finish is so nice.

the trick is in you fasteners careful layout and quality of finish. Pressure treat has to be installed wet. when stored on a job site it should be kept covered to maintain moisture levels. I have 6x6 posts and several pieces of decking that are left over from the deck we completed in november. it has been kept under a plastic tarp since last year and is still not warping. properly secured to a well made substructure pressure treated limber will not warp and when finished properly is absolutely beautiful.

if you want to cheat, Home depot now has PT that starts out red.