| Author |
Message |
    
DReese
Citizen
Username: Dreese
Post Number: 16
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9:41 am: | 
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Can anyone recommend a few contractors to install a deck?
There's so many types of materials including those composite types these days. Any opinions on contractors and materials would be greatly appreciated.
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Oakland
Citizen
Username: Oakland
Post Number: 50
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 6:25 pm: |
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I too would be interested to hear what anyone has to say, and if anyone can discuss prices... |
Me
Citizen
Username: 1972
Post Number: 27
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 6:43 pm: |
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Freeborne Decking installed our deck 2 years ago and did a good job. They were fast, reliable and reasonably priced. www.freebornedecking.com |
JC
Citizen
Username: Demolitionman
Post Number: 31
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 7:38 pm: |
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www.claytondemo.biz |
The Soulful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 2295
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006 - 9:11 pm: |
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We had a deck done in the fall and we love it. We used TREX instead of wood and I'm ambivilent about recommending it. But, we love our builder, he's done lots of work for us. He and his crew are reliable, dependable, polite, and VERY clean! They ALWAYS show up. And their prices are very competitive.
V&S Studio Remodeling, Inc.
Victor Garbowski cell 917-403-8510
http://www.vnsremodeling.com/index/home.html
(Full Disclosure: some of the photos in the "basements" section and homepage of the website are of our house.)
(Can you tell we liked them?) |
DReese
Citizen
Username: Dreese
Post Number: 17
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 10:06 am: |
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thanks so much for all the referrals...keep them coming.
is trex less $$ than wood or the same? |
DReese
Citizen
Username: Dreese
Post Number: 18
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 10:13 am: |
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also how do they charge for deck installation? per sq feet? |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 710
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 11:31 am: |
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We used freeborne too, and are very happy with the results. One small problem, and they returned immediately to fix it. |
Alicia Hernandez
Citizen
Username: Alicia
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 3:11 pm: |
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i will recommend Ricky's CArpentry excellent work clean and professional
Ricky's Carpentry # 973-677-1125 |
Amazing
Citizen
Username: Amazing
Post Number: 6
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 4:52 pm: |
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Suffered two months trying to get a permit to install a deck. Using Deck Specialists, Michael. Job to start in two weeks. Got any info about the company? |
Window_doctor
Supporter
Username: Window_doctor
Post Number: 54
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 5:47 pm: |
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I compete against Freeborne from time to time, I feel we are more of a qaulity company on the details, but it's hard to beat a company that has done nothing but decks for over 15 years. They have numerous systems in place that make them SUPER efficient (pre-constructed railings in there shop, basic layout designs, and most improtant they do this work every day. |
wunderdog
Citizen
Username: Wunderdogny
Post Number: 118
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
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We just finished a deck. Most contractors I got quotes from warned that obtaining the building permit would prove a long and arduous process. NOT true. I did the drawings for the deck plan myself, went to the M'wood building department and walked away with the building permit in hand THAT SAME DAY. Mr. Mittermier was incredibly helpful and accommodating. So don't let them give you the old complaint about how hard it it so get a permit. They've probably just not gotten around to doing the drawings. |
Michael K. McKell
Citizen
Username: Mckellconst
Post Number: 73
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 7:37 am: |
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Go with cedar... We just built a 50' x 16' deck and pergola all in cedar... Real nice. |
The Soulful Mr T
Citizen
Username: Howardt
Post Number: 2307
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 8:24 am: |
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Cedar is beautiful BUT it scratches VERY easily. Go to a lumberyard and run your fingernail along a piece of cedar decking, you'll see what I mean. If you have no kids, it's great.
We went with TREX because it's virtually impenetrable (sp?). We're not good at annual maintenance stuff so a low-(or no)-maintenance solution worked for us. No annual staining, finishing, treating, fading, splinters, cracking, guilt or poly-razzmatazz for us. Does it look just like wood? No. But it's close enough for us. And you can do nice things with the colors of the material.
If you're not as lazy or busy as us, and you're handy, or if you're a purist, go for wood.
I'd also suggest before you design your deck, do two things:
1. Go to Home Depot and buy one of the deck design books (hell, our deck is done, you can have my copy) to get an idea of what's possible.
2. Visit as many decks as you can, friends, neighbors, relatives, strangers. When you see something that you like, bring your builder to see it. We saw a deck up on Lenox Place that inspired us with ideas for the railings. We met the owner at our garage sale and he invited me to see his deck. Later, I dragged my builder over there, when there was no one home, to see it.
Look here for photos of our project.
By the way, I had the same experience as Wunderdog, we got our permit very quickly. |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 715
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 9:04 am: |
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Our deck is cedar, and we're happy with the look. I'm sure it's not for everybody, but we think it's great.
We built a low-to-the-ground deck that has bench seating rather than rails, along with built-in planters. It feels like it's really part of the yard, though also an extension of the house. I love the look and the feel, don't like the "jail" look of most railings.
No issue at all with getting a permit. As said above, I think the issue was with the contractor rather than the town. |
DReese
Citizen
Username: Dreese
Post Number: 19
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 - 9:37 am: |
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wow, this is all great info and super helpful to start me off. already having freeborn decking coming next week and will have ot call others for estimates soon too.
we too are quite busy folks and have a 2 yr old whose starting her terrible 2 stage. but low maintenance for us is definitely key as we have so many other projects we'd like to do as well.
thanks so much!
WINDOW DOCTOR... can we have you come by to give us some ideas and estimates as well? |
Window_doctor
Supporter
Username: Window_doctor
Post Number: 55
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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DReese, Sure I will private message you are information. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 1137
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 3, 2006 - 9:01 pm: |
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SoulfulT - Great looking deck, especially the railing - I really enjoyed the step by step pictures!
(So, what about that hot tub, did you go for it yet?) |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12318
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 4, 2006 - 7:46 am: |
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I really enjoyed Mr. T's renovation postings. Basically I felt like I was enjoying a renovation project, without all the hastle, dirt and inconvenience. 
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