Building a deck

[CaptainReboot]

We are looking at getting our deck built within the next month or so.

We'll probably end up getting someone to build it for us. How much should I be spending on labour for something like this? I'd like to get an idea of how much it might be before I go around town getting price quotes.

Any suggestions on where I should go? I was thinking the usual home reno stores (Home Depot, Rona, etc) since they will do up the plans and break everything down for us.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

[nismodrifter]

Go to Totem. Home Depot people don't know shit all. Talk to the guys at Totem with your basic drawings of what you want and they will get all the materials and shit together and order it in for you. Best part is that you can get everything right from them. Wood/Lumber, glass/picket railings, dura-deck vinyl, everything.

This is the reason why I support companies like Totem over the big orange american giant. Totem actually gives a shit about their customer, they take the time to plan it out right there on the spot, and they know exactly what you need right down to the inch and will do a good job of trying to save you money (ie: once you cut that railing you can use the left over in another area).

[Khyron]

And the wood is better at Totem. I got all my cedar there.

Khyron

[3G]

Originally posted by nismodrifter
Go to Totem. Home Depot people don't know shit all. Talk to the guys at Totem with your basic drawings of what you want and they will get all the materials and shit together and order it in for you. Best part is that you can get everything right from them. Wood/Lumber, glass/picket railings, dura-deck vinyl, everything.

This is the reason why I support companies like Totem over the big orange american giant. Totem actually gives a shit about their customer, they take the time to plan it out right there on the spot, and they know exactly what you need right down to the inch and will do a good job of trying to save you money (ie: once you cut that railing you can use the left over in another area).

Originally posted by Khyron
And the wood is better at Totem. I got all my cedar there.

Khyron

thats where we got our deck wood

Totem > Gay Depot

[Oz-]

Since my brother in-law builds does house framing and sometimes builds decks/fences we went to the Cedar Shop for all our wood (contractor pricing). Basically made the skeleton of the deck pressure treated with facia and deck boards all cedar.

Not sure if Cedar Shop will help you with measurements etc, but Totem is by far my favorite place for those big box stores (even though they are owned by Rona).

[sputnik]

Totem is good for raw lumber but sucks for hardware and screws etc.

Home Depot carries tons of Simpson StrongTie products (joist hangers and other metal brackets) for putting it all together. They also have a better selection of screws and misc hardware.

[CaptainReboot]

We went to Totem and they were very knowledgeable and quite helpful. They told us a lot of some Home Depot didn't mention.

Price was reasonable as well.

Does anybody know if I'd need a permit for my deck, or any limitations to it? The guy there said it needs to be such a such a distance from the property lines.

All I found with the city was that it needed a permit if it's higher than 2ft above grade, which it is.

[nismodrifter]

When we built our deck (which is 14ft off the ground) we needed a permit. Best is just to call the city with your questions. We also had to have our deck inspected too. I bet you probably don't if it's a low deck.

For property line, ours is 4ft from the property line and there is no issue with it so if you are more than that then I wouldn't worry about it.

[_wrx_]

why dont u guys do it ur self? its pretty easy and only takes a day or 2. saves u a bunch of money that could be spent for other things.

[TrevorK]

Originally posted by _wrx_
why dont u guys do it ur self? its pretty easy and only takes a day or 2. saves u a bunch of money that could be spent for other things.

For some people their time is worth more than the cost to pay someone to build the deck.

[DeeK]

Originally posted by sputnik
Totem is good for raw lumber but sucks for hardware and screws etc.

Home Depot carries tons of Simpson StrongTie products (joist hangers and other metal brackets) for putting it all together. They also have a better selection of screws and misc hardware.

No way man, I live right close to a home depot/Rona, I used to go in there all the time. I could NEVER find any bolt, nuts, or anything like that unless you bought packs of 500 or more (specially when it came to the specialty ones that you can never find for stupid projects). They had a few things, but nothing compared to the selection at totem.

I dont even go to home depot anymore, further drive from me but totem is the way to go.

[DeeK]

Originally posted by TrevorK


For some people their time is worth more than the cost to pay someone to build the deck.

I have a friend that builds decks for a living, all private work, so his rates are good. Lemme know if you need a quote.

[blitz]

This should cover everything you need to know:

http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server....wood_decks.pdf

It's not that bad, but I'm glad my planned deck is only 599 mm above grade.

[CaptainReboot]

Originally posted by _wrx_
why dont u guys do it ur self? its pretty easy and only takes a day or 2. saves u a bunch of money that could be spent for other things.

Yeah, we will be doing it ourselves. I know a few people that have build decks from scratch in the past, so they would have knowledge and the tools to help us.

I heard that labour might cost just as much as the deck itself cause things are so busy right now.

I'll just have to check with the city to make sure the deck is code and I think we're ready to roll!

Thanks!