New Deck Over Patio Design Advice

ch17011

Hello,

First off I am a Project Manager for a commercial electrical contracting business. Right now I am in the process of building my first home being the GC which I have successfully sub contracted the excavation, foundation, framing, etc.. At this point the framing is complete with window's & doors being installed today while the HVAC, plumbers and electricians start roughing in also. Insulation next week along with siding, etc..

The house I am building is from a set of plans I purchased online so there is no real great detail about the deck nor do I really care for the design they gave so I am in need of a contractor to design & build my deck. This is where the problem starts - I have called 3 - 4 of the contractors that have been suggested by my local supply house (not Lowes or HD) and have yet to get anyone to show any interest in designing the deck and pricing it - seems most want to build as they go and get paid for T&M. I want a visual of what it will look like, get the details down on paper with a price so I can do my everyday job without worrying if they are: 1. building it by code and 2. building the deck that I want.

So without going any further and breaking the forum rules I was wondering if some of the deck experts (with or without the deck design programs) on here could chime in or offer there design services which I would gladly pay for and hand over there drawings to my framing crew for pricing and installation?

The first picture is of where my my deck will be installed to the left of the nook with access from the sliding door. I will also have a patio below the deck which will start at the nook and continue around to the side of the walk out basement door. My plans have the deck scheduled to be 12' long x 14' wide so that it reaches from the corner of the house to the beginning of the end wall to the breakfast nook. I also would like a set of stairs incorporated in the design.

The exterior concrete walls are 9' so I am sure the deck will require a fair amount of bracing which I am sure will affect the amount of usable patio area which is another concern of mine..

Can anyone help?

Sincerely,
Rick

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BreyerConstruct

What's the location?

~Matt

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ch17011

Shermansdale, PA 17090

genecarp

i would probably carry the deck across the entire back section of the house, in other words to the right and left of the bumpout, i would reflect the bumpout and mirror it in the deck design, this will also provide an area to connect the steps to, the steps can then run parallel to the house. two sets of steps are a nice detail one right , one left. if i new how to draw on the computer i would draw a quick diagram for you. but i dont so you must follow my written description. also it is very very important to install a drainage system under the deck to provide a dry area for your patio below.

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MALCO.New.York

He gave his zipcode in his name!!!!

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Chris G

I would also suggest a larger deck than 12 x 14.

At least run it to where your garage starts, with steps parallel to house from right to left.

If you are worried about blocking views from you nook, think about glass panels in the railings.

It also might make your breakfast nook more inviting/comfortable being able to see some decking out the windows with a couple of evergreens in planter boxes.

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ch17011

Thanks for the suggestions. Please keep them coming if you have more!

BuiltByMAC

I'd be happy to work up a detailed design and provide plans for your builder. Feel free to contact me through my website - www.builtbymac.com
We can talk money specifics one-on-one...

Now, having said that, there are several guys on here that live in PA that could also work up the plans for you...and build it. An elevated deck isn't always the best project to give to a house framer.

If no one comes forward, you could also try going to TimberTech, CorrectDeck, or AZEK's website and clicking on "Find a Contractor in my area."
Chances are, you'll find a few builders listed on those sites who could also help you...either with the plan designs or the actual build as well.

As for the actual build, I'd second gene's comment in that you'll want a Dry area under the deck for a usable patio. There are several ways to accomplish this - some before you put decking on, some that attach underneath.

Mac

ch17011

MAC - All I got to say after looking at your website is WOW! All of your decks have such a custom look to them without any extreme angles, etc. I'll be in touch!

orson

Hey Mac,

When I'm on this page: http://www.builtbymac.com/decks.htm and I click on the pictures listed under the headings "HIgh-Rise Decks" "Composite" "Cedar" "Redwood" it takes me to here:http://www.builtbymac.com/decks-highrise.com

Wanted to make sure you knew.

PS- nice website

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curapa

Its like that for all of the pics, you have to click the words instead of the pic. The pics need to be linked to the pages as well.

Mac, BTW you do have a pretty nice site, have you updated recently, I dont remember it looking like that.

MALCO.New.York

I too had "picture click" 404 errors.

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BuiltByMAC

Crap. Damn. and double damn. Someone had mentioned that to me last week and I still haven't gotten it fixed.

My apologies - looks like website maintenance jumps to the top of the list!

Mac

ch17011

Hey MAC your email box is full!

BuiltByMAC

Hmmm...I just sent myself a test email using the link on my contact page - it went through just fine. Not sure why you're encountering that error. Tell you what - give me a holler (541) 606-3440 and we can chat. I'll work on my website this morning and try and figure out what all got screwed up on it... no really, I build much better decks than I do websites!

Mac

BuiltByMAC

OK, I think Humpty's put back together...da website should not be giving out any error messages anymore.

As always, it's a work in progress though...

Alright, time to go finish a TREX warranty deck - put down in '05, Origins boards are crumbling apart on the surface. U - hug - ly! Not only that, the replacement Accents boards aren't much better - in 25 boards, I counted 6 visible foreign objects sticking out the top surface. Arrgh.
I hate working on other people's structures, too. OK, bitch session over. Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Mac

deckman22

Mac, if you do Trex warranty work I'd think they'd have you so busy you'd never have time to build any decks, ha. I hope you stick it to 'em.

A factory rep from another composite company told me the reason trex boards fall apart is they use recycled grocery bags & other recycled plastics. Some of those recycled plastices are biodegradable but there is no way to tell the difference so they just throw it all in. The better composites all use virgin plastic resin.

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