Restoration and construction

[Braddk]

I am currently in my first year of part-time exterior wood restoration. I use Wolman for all my services.

Has anyone in the wood cleaning business started building decks/fences as a part of their current business? If so, how can I get a price list or bid chart?

I just had a second phone call about new deck construction and I had to decline because I did not know how to charge. Can anyone help?

Thanks!
Brad

 

[Dan Flynn]

You need to charge what you think is a fare hourly rate for you. I would start at 1.50 per square ft. That will cover the cleaning and staining. We charge as much as $4 per square foot. The smaller the deck the more we charge. The larger decks are around a .80 cents to a $1 per square foot. That is for deck 1000 square feet or more.

Prices are different in all areas. The more estimates you give the better informed you will be. Ask questions, people will tell you a lot if you listen. Then gear your response to what they are concerned about.

 

[Jim Bilyeu]

Braddx,

I think Dan missread your post, at least I hope he did.

When we were heavy into decks, we did everything from building them to restoring them. The cost of building decks depends on certain factors. Type of decking ( cedar, outdoor wood, sun wood ect.), pier blocks Vs footing, design. We use to be able to build a simple cedar deck for $15.00 per sq. foot and 2 X 2 railing with a 2 X 6 cap for $15.00 per lin. foot.

I know the price of cedar has gone up and I also know that the price of lumber will vary depending on location so it is hard to give you a sq. foot pricing.

If you have the know how to build a deck, go to your local lumber yard and ask if they can run a material cost sheet for you on a deck. most lumber yards That I deal with can do it, they can even design it for you using a computor program. Never give an estamate over the phone on building a deck. Go out to the home, look at what they want, draw a picture with deminisions. Tell them that you'll be back with an estamate. Once you have a material cost sheet, triple it and make a bid. After you have built a few, you'll know where your at and be able to adjust the pricing.

There is a lot of money in building decks, repairing deck and restoring decks. People like the idea of having to hire just one
contractor for everthing.

Jim Bilyeu
Exterior Woodcare

 

[Dan Flynn]

Good one Jim,

I did read that wrong. I think your advice is perfect. I did get a few estimate this year for having a deck built. They ran from 10 to 16 dollars per sq ft.

 

[allenb]

constructioncleanup

does anyone have any idea how they would charge for 19,200 sq feet of commercial property to be general cleaned before contractors go in. Lots of sweeping. It's a rough clean not a final clean but will lead to a final clean.

 

[PressurePros]

I don't mean to make unfair assumptions but I would venture that if you don't know how to price building a deck it means you have never done one. Are you qualified to do this type of work?

 

[5 Star Johnny]

Here we go again :burn: I agree, Ken, that it would be presumptuous that the original poster may not be qualified to build decks. However, the question was posed in such a manner as to raise that question. Braddk, if you're qualified to build decks (home improvement license?) then you might be better served asking a contractor, other deck builders, or your local lumber supplier. We, too, have been confused with deck builders in our marketing and thought about it. I'm not a carpenter, so I stick with what I know.

allenb......If you're who I think you are, did you give up on washing cars already? If so, you're headed in the right direction by looking at more janitorial type work. Even so, there's a bit more to it than pushin' a broom. Had you been in the Navy, you'd at least know how to "figure 8" a mop head, which would give you the upper hand on a "newbie"!

If you're not who I think you are, sorry! However, your question on post-construction cleaning placed inside the wood restoration section of a power washing bulletin board still seems a bit misguided. There are, in fact, other boards on the net which would give you better guidance. By the way, 25% of our revenue is post-construction cleaning. Nearly 20,000 sq. ft. is a big step for a first timer. ESPECIALLY for a final clean. Good luck with all that.

By the way....we are sooooooooo glad to be back in the swing of deck season here in PackerLand. Started annual maintenance last week, and have solid bookings through mid-season. Sun-Sat, but that's what I get for living in this crappy state. Still.....wouldn't do it any other way.

 

[Deck Works]

Since the post was 5 years old the guy probably decided against building decks.

 

[PressurePros]

LOL. I didn't see that one coming. Does anyone know if Brad is now an expert or did he go bust ?