Carpentry - Construction Work Estimating List  Initial Service / Work Set Up / Travel $ 65.00 Framing for a new addition, porch, garage or shed (includes roof framework) - per sq ft. $ 90.00 Framing joists and decking to build a new deck - per sq ft. $ 31.00 Framing joists and decking to build a new "composite material" deck - per sq ft. $ 38.00     Maintenance replacement work - Estimating List  Initial Service / Work Set Up / Travel $ 65.00 Replace warped or rotten deck floor - per sq ft. $ 95.00 Replace rotten fascia - per ft. $ 80.00 Replace wooden stair treads - each $ 50.00 Replace porch post - each $150.00 Replace deck or porch railing - per ft. $ 65.00 Replace damaged clapboard siding - per sq ft. $ 68.00 Replace damaged siding corner board - per sq ft. $ 58.00   Concrete Work Estimating List  Initial Service / Work Set Up / Travel Form out and pour all new sidewalk - per sq ft. Form out and pour new 4" thick concrete pad (patio or shed) - per sq ft. Form out and pour concrete steps - per sq ft. Hand-dig costs added to all concrete work if needed - per yard Construction Removal, load and haul away all debris - per yard Footings, pour foundation footing for new construction - per sq ft. Limited Access, concrete truck unable to deliver to construction area (assessment at site)   This is a Pricing Guide to estimate the approximate cost of decks and patios for property improvements.  Basic materials are included in these costs but special purchases are not.   The prices listed below are "industry averaged" and do not represent the prices or costs of any particular company affiliated with Contractors Solutions Inc. We calculate the cost - FREE.  And we help you to "Do it Yourself".  Need a price?  Thru-Bolt Anchoring 12" X 3/4" bolt rod,  1" diameter hole, caulk and seal   ea. $30.00 Soil Grading Composite Materials - Stairs Composite Materials - Railings Composite Materials - Spindles Composite Decking Materials  5/quarter X 6" X 12FT   $24.00  5/quarter X 6" X 12FT   $32.00  (TREX)  5/quarter X 6" X 16FT   $42.00  (TREX) Pressure Treated Decking Materials    5/quarter X 6" X 16FT   $14.00  2" X 6" X 10FT  $8.00  2" X 6" X 12FT  $9.00  2" X 4" X 12FT  $7.00 Pressure Treated Framing joists   2" X 12" X 10FT  $12.00 2" X 10" X 12FT  $14.00 2" X 12" X 12FT  $22.00 2" X 10" X 16FT  $18.00 2" X 8" X 8FT  $8.00 In-Ground Posts 12" diameter hole and concrete fill   ea. $38.00 4" X 4" X 8FT  $8.00 Decks and Patios, Industry Glossary of Terms Balcony  a platform, usually on the outside of a building. Balustrade  ornamental rail supported by baluster posts. Carport  an open-sided structure consisting of a roof and supporting posts, for the purpose of accommodating a vehicle. Collar Tie  the beam extending from one side of a gable to the other, tying in the two opposing posts. Composite   - Normally for exterior decks.  These products are made of a unique combination of wood and plastic fibers from reclaimed or recycled resources. Including sawdust and used pallets from woodworking operations, and recycled plastic grocery bags from all over the country. Deck Cover   Similar to a Patio Cover; an engineered roof built of a structural sheeting (not roofing iron such as corrugated or Trimdeck) and designed specifically for an existing or proposed deck. Double Pitch  two sloping back to back roof sections forming a triangular design shape. Eave  if your roof overhangs the walls of your house, then the overhang is referred to as the eaves. The width of an eave can vary from one house to another. Some homes may not have eaves all around. Encloser  side walls, windows and doors added to an existing roofed area. Engineered Wood - Wood fibers and/or particles that have been bonded with synthetic resins under heat and pressure are formed into panels or boards. Engineered wood is more dimensionally stable and easier to machine than solid wood or plywood, making it the choice of many cabinet manufacturers for cabinet boxes (carcase) and laminate clad door styles. " Grain-free " surfaces yield smoother surface bonding of laminates. External L  refers to a patio to be roofed that forms an ‘L’ shape as it wraps around the corner of a house. Flyover  a design where the Patio Cover is attached to a supporting beam and post system raised above the house gutter. Footing  a supporting structure, usually below the surface and used in the absence of a slab. Made of concrete, it will be a bell-shaped block from which the post will stand. Free Standing  a Patio Cover design (or Carport) not connected to or relying on any part of the home or other structure for structural support. Glaze - A staining process that creates highlights on natural wood. Heartwood - Heartwood is wood that may contain deposits of minerals that may result in streaks of much darker colors than the sapwood portions of the tree area closest to the bark. I-Beam - A horizontal support member made from steel as ordered. Knot - A naturally occurring whorl in lumber created where a branch extended from a tree. MDF - An engineered wood offering an extremely tight, smooth surface. Exceptionally stable, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is favored for laminating with thermofoils. Outdoor Screen  Like a fence, although it doesn’t have to be attached to anything and materials are more varied, such as vinyl, outdoor fabric, plastic mesh, or shrubs, vines or trees planted together for privacy. Path, Pathway  A walkway in a landscape that guides foot traffic or links separate spaces. Pathway materials include brick, concrete slabs, flagstone, bark, adobe block, river rock, rough cobbles, wood rounds, gravel or stepping stones. Various groundcovers can be grown to fill in spaces between pathway materials. Patio  From the Spanish word patio, meaning back yard or back garden. An outdoor living space often adjoining a residence, used for dining, entertaining or relaxation. Patios may or may not have covers or roofs and are usually paved areas between the house and garden. Patios can be made of concrete, brick, stone, gravel, pavers, flagstone or numerous other materials. Patio Garden  A garden surrounding a patio or deck used to create a comfortable outdoor space. Patio gardens can provide privacy, screen bad views, frame good views, soften hardscaping, provide shade and protection from the wind. They also offer an up-close and personal view and relationship with plants -- delighting the senses through touch, smell and the obvious visual benefits. Pergola  A frame structure -- usually made of wood or powder-coated metal -- that consists of posts with a lattice roof, designed to support vines. Play Area, Play Yard  A designated outdoor space for children’s activities. Considerations include allowing space for fall zones; soft ground cushioning, like wood chips, sand or recyclable materials and shelter from sun or wind. Pond  A small pool of water in various sizes, shapes and styles. Ponds can be made of brick, concrete, stone or tile. Water features include spray fountains, waterfalls and spill fountains. Porch  A low structure -- often with a roof -- situated at the entrance of a house or building. Post  Vertical wood or metal pole fixed in the ground, serving as a support for a beam, as a marker, or place for attaching something. Rafter  a roof beam not usually associated with Patio Covers. It will project from the leading edge (house fascia) to the trailing (outside) edge. Rafter Brackets steel plate and threaded rod connecting the Patio Cover to the trusses of the home’s roof. Rafter Tails the very ends of the top cords of the house trusses. Ramada  Simple, often rustic structure, derived from the Spanish wordramaje(arbor). Originally built to provide shelter from the sun during harvest time, they were often made of mesquite or cottonwood poles and ocotillo stems, and were open on at least three sides to maximize the potential for breezes. Modern versions may be attached to a residence or freestanding. Rear Receiver  the component responsible for fixing the structural roof sheeting of a Patio Cover to the house fascia. Rococo  Rococo is a style of French design and decor that originated in the mid-18th century. Rococo was the last part of the French Baroque style and is characterized by rich decoration and a variety of motifs, including deep swirls. In exterior design, rococo-style balconies are made of detailed ironwork, such as interlacing scrolls supported on ornate brackets. These were a change from classical stone balustrded balconies. Screen Plantings  Landscaping used to screen an area for privacy, to block an objectionable view, or to serve as a natural boundary or border. Selections might include dense, fast-growing, evergreen shrubs, trees, vines, large succulents and tall ornamental grasses Spa  Like a hot tub, a spa massages bathers with hot, bubbling water from built-in jets. Both require the same type of support equipment. But spas are made of concrete, acrylic reinforced with fiberglass or high-impact thermoplastics. Hot tubs are more rustic, made of wood, and resemble big barrels. Spa Surround  An area that houses a spa and ensures privacy. Features might include a privacy screen; wooden decking; downlights for safety; and a skirt, which hides the spa’s support system. Tongue and Groove - A projection along the edge of a board inserted into a corresponding groove and fixed with glue and /or a metal pin. Other terms for this type of joint include, DADO and MORTISE AND TENON.

Checking your Deck - Ledger, Posts, Beams, and Joists, Railings and Pressure Washing. << ask us for a price list menu of options.

A.  General Information
         You can add many years to the life of a deck with good construction techniques, high-quality materials, and regular maintenance. Still, even the most well-constructed deck has some weak spots: between the house and ledger, where posts are connected, boards with exposed end grain, railing joints, any notched joints, or joints in the decking. To avoid expensive repairs later on, you need to find and repair the problems early as possible. At least once a year, inspect your deck thoroughly. If you can, also inspect beneath the deck surface. If the deck is too close to the ground to crawl under, remove some decking boards to get a good look. Look for soft spots, indicating rot. Poke the wood with a screwdriver. If part of your deck is in worse shape than others, try to find the source of the problem before repairing. Water damage may be caused by faulty gutters or the accumulation of leaves or dirt. If you find potentially serious problems at the ledger, posts, beams, or joists, consult a professional. You can make most repairs yourself, but some are complicated projects.

B.  Check Ledger, Posts, Beams, and Joists
         The connection between the deck and the house is very critical. Check that flashing is in good condition. Use a probe to inspect for water damage on the ledger. Check for fungi, blue or black stains, and little piles of sawdust indicating termites or carpenter ants. Tighten all fasteners.

Check the posts very carefully at the ground line and at the top. Use a probe to inspect for rot by sticking it into various parts of the post and comparing the ease of penetration. Inspect and secure the post's connection with the foundation.

C.  Check Decking from Below if Possible
         If you can go under your deck, put on old clothes, and bring a flashlight and a screwdriver with you. Poke the undersides of decking boards, all around the ledger, posts, stringers, and treads, and in any other joints and crevices.

Some loose decking might only need retightening of the fasteners. Tighten the ones you can and mark the ones that need to be replaced. If the decking is damaged, remove it and install new boards.

D.  Check Railings
         Railings, and especially stair rails, are very important since they have to withstand extra strain. Inspect posts for damage and make sure all fasteners are secure and tight. Look at the ends of all rails for water damage. Replace damaged balusters. Decking boards split at the ends will usually continue to separate along their length. You can try to cut the boards flush with the joists and seal the cut ends, but it would probably be better to replace split boards with new ones. For internal cracks, sand the surface and apply several coats of sealer.

E.  Pressure Washing
         Any dirt, leaves, or other natural debris that get caught between the decking or in other crevices can hold moisture for weeks. That can easily cause rot but can easily be prevented by cleaning regularly. One way to clean out crevices is by pressure-washing.

It might be hard to realize when is a good time to clean or refinish your deck, so, to be on top of it you can make a calendar. Little things can have big results. Cleaning gives a drab deck a fresh new look and you'll be surprised how much bigger a clean deck looks. You should sweep the surface once a week and if the weather requires it. Once a month you should scrub the deck with warm water and a mild detergent. If simple washing doesn't get it clean enough, or if you want to make the color of the deck lighter, buy a deck cleaning product. If the wood is dirty and weathered, clean it with a solution of oxalic acid and water. Scrub an area with a stiff natural-bristle brush, rinse, allow it to dry, and repeat if needed. Oxalic acid is extremely caustic so wear protective clothing. If you want to clear away all dirt, debris stuck in joints, or loose paint all at once, the best way is to rent a power washer with 1200 psi pressure. Clean the deck with a fan-tip nozzle so you won't damage the surface. If you use a high-pressure power washer improperly, it can splinter and gouge the surface of lumber. Pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact should resist insect infestation, but redwood and cedar aren't guaranteed to be free of pests, like termites and wood-borers. They like to eat in the dark, so they tunnel along the grain lines inside the wood where you can't see them. That means that by the time you notice the damage, it's too late. If you see small piles of fine sawdust at the edge of a board or tunnels running inside a board, call a professional exterminator.