Deck Pros.. Need Your Advise..

benseas

I have been in the interior remodeling business for the last 10 years. With the current slow down in the market I feel the need to diversify my business. I'm thinking about doing decks and fences this year. My questions:

1. How profitable is this business?
2. Should I create a separate company or just add "decks" to my current portfolio?
3. Best form of advertising: flyer's, web ppc, print ads?


Thanks

Danno6102

You do really nice work. Do you know how to size footings, beams, joists, do you know the proper connections & details to build a deck, calculate loads? How much structural/framing experience & knowledge do you have? Not trying to sound negative, just would hate for you to ruin what looks to be a good reputation by building a deck that falls down or gets someone hurt.

Can you break out some of the tasks of remodeling, if you haven't already, to appeal to someone just looking for trim work, new floors, windows, painting? As long as you are competant in those areas from your remodeling.

Common misconception among homeowners & other trades is that you can just throw a deck together with some 12" footings & 2x8 beams & joist. Some cases that will work, others it will not, you need to know which. It is an extension of the house & needs to be built, designed & engineered in the same manner, both for quality & safety.

Just my two cents.

Dan

BuiltByMAC

So, based on your other posts, you're a brand new member trying a shotgun approach to new niche markets - asking everyone what pays the best... kitchen, commercial, decks, etc.

Hmmm...sorry, don't have anything for ya.

Danno has some good thoughts - it ain't rocket science but there is required knowledge to build a solid, safe structure.

Mac

Edit to add: Just looked over your website - you design blueprints for free? Damn... initial consult is one thing, project design and drawn plans are another entirely. No wonder you feel the need to diversify...

benseas

It does not hurt to keep your options open or try to see what is working for others. That is the whole purpose of this forum. So please allow the the "PROS" to answer my question.


We do about 5-8 PT decks per year. I'm looking to add some composite decks to the mix and take our number up to 30 per year.

JBBS

www.ilovealpacas.com

deckman22

1. Since you do 5-8 decks a year you should all ready have a handle on how much money you can make.
2. Depends, do you want to be a "deck builder" or just another GC that also will build a deck?
3. Do whatever you're doing to get your GC jobs. What works for me may not work for you, there is no "best" way to advertise.

Everyone wants to be a deck builder.

__________________
Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

JWHI

wtf?





Newspapers are always a good place to advertise. I also get about 25-30% of my calls from hanging a flyer up on a community bulletin board with little ripable tags with my name, number, and website

__________________
www.860jwhi.com
jaywbeeman@yahoo.com
Cornwall Bridge, Ct in Litchfield County

wink

funny how some words or terms mean different things in different parts of the country. here when someone advertises to be a general contractor it is pretty much expected that, the person manages whole jobs from start to finish, and that person understands what costs are involved, and labor times. also knows things like schedualing crews and subs. now i don't mention this to slam anyone, i can do a lot of things, but i still need to ask questions of people in those fields that i don't work in everyday, hell i have to ask other carpenters how some things are done. just that in my opinion a general contractor should have some basic knowledge of plumbing,electrical, drywall, painting, so on and so on. thanks for letting me rant, ps. if you took the time to look at any of his pictures, you'd know that mack was a PRO

DecksEtc

FYI, knocking and/or taking jabs at experienced guys here (i.e. MAC) is not the best way to solicite advice.

However, as to your original question, in my area, fencing doesn't earn as much as deck building. In my experience, you have to be set up with a 4-5 man crew and/or multiple crews, with your own machine to auger the holes to make any kind of money at doing standard PT fences. Most fencing only companies will undercut the crap out of your pricing. Now, intricate cedar fencing with custom lattice and the like has a higher profit margin but you need to have the right designs and the right customers.

Now, decks can be a different story. Standard, boring PT decks can be a lot like fencing. However, if you have the design knowhow and skill set for higher end cedar, hardwood and composite decks then the profit margine is much higher. Again, you need the right customer base.

Good luck!

benseas

Thanks Terry!

You are correct on the PT decks. Most of the PT decks we do are not really to make money. We do them at a low rate to help our existing customers. I would like to go in to composite decking full time. One of my neighbors has a decking business which is extremely busy. The business just seems more organized and structured. We just invested in to the Decktools software which is great.


Side Note: Not knocking or jabbing at you experienced guys. Just trying to defend my right to post on this forum.

John Hyatt

Its a deal geting into the Business. I just drifted into in naturaly after all the years in the building trade but I have seen several guys start up with a little training and big eyes on the $ go flat line in a short time Archadeck dident make it a year.

I am thinking just starting out it might be a good idea to proceed slowley far as advertising,buying tools, hiring workers, trailors and trucks. Get a couple high end projects done and sell off them.

Also pick a decking product and make it your special thing,I have done that with S American lumber, but it could be one of several high end composite outfits. And do something special I have goten a lot of jobs just from the routred endgrain trim I put on, working in the radius is a sure kill with the right Wallet

Keepl a sharp eye on where you been,not where you want to be. J.

onhitch

there is no money in deck building. any jerk with a hammer and a saw can build a deck. the money is in finding the customer with money.

Susan Betz

I was thinking the same thing about fencing. The margin isn't very good in most cases, unless you're running multiple crews, and that requires salespeople, estimators, etc. Unless you've got a good handle on the bottom line, and good people working for you, stay out of fencing.

__________________
Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

DecksEtc

Are you for real?

What a stupid statement to make.

buildenterprise

you took the bait

__________________

BuiltByMAC

So what does this really mean? You're a low-baller "helping" your existing customers by undercutting any reputable bids?

Why would you do any work "not really to make money?" Are you a non-profit organization?

Nevermind, these are hypothetical questions. Please carry on defending your right to post in these forums.

Just know that lowballers are the lowest of the low here and you just admitted to being one.

Mac

[I'm spending too much time here - the trolls are starting to get under my skin.]

deckman22

This guy is envious of his neighbor who is a deck builder & seems to making good $. So he wants to get on here & pick our brains to find out how it's done, hence the advertising question & the question of how much money can be made. This type of poster deserves no legit responses. Plus like you said, he admited to lowballing. He gave away his deck work to make his existing customers happy. He's a fool for doing so, plus he took away a job a legit deck builder could have done. I'm surpised he didn't ask the "going rate" for composite decks question.

__________________
Deckman
www.alscustomdecks.com

onhitch

I am

I’ve built hundreds of decks and it's mainly how I make a living. When competing against every “carpenter" it's tough to get what your (read; I am worth) worth. There is only good profit when you find a sensible customer who realizes they are hiring for quality not price. This industry is locked between cut throat pricing and the general public not realizing the skill required to achieve quality. Where I am from there is no licensing required differentiating between the jerks and the professionals.

Greg P

Do you mean as in low profits? I don't know if I agree (as a 1 man show) but I don't even come remotely close to your experience/skills either. Especially to provide the higher end decks (yet) where it sounds like the profits sit.

Greg

benseas

Thanks to all you guys who tried to answer my questions.

All others- .... I still do more business then most of you guys! Keep making pennies.. and talking sh*T!