So how much time you think you wasted and money wise .

 

I've probably got about 10 hours into it, some weekend visits. Only 15 minutes away though, that's the good news.

 

I've probably got about 10 hours into it, some weekend visits. Only 15 minutes away though, that's the good news.

10 hours and zero dollars in bank . Sad part of estimates and bill-able hours .

 

I always tell my clients when they go with low bidder that they can pay for planning time when I come fix their new deck.

 

I have been in the exact situation. That is why I try to keep my Lowes purchases to a minimum. I refuse to support my competitor by spending my money there.

 

I miss Scotties Lumber..... is that weird? :whistling

 

what was the estimated cost of your project?
also you need to be in and out in 1-2 hrs and everything after that is by email.
i go to a customers house, draw up their ideas on what they want, show it to them, is that's what they want i let them know the cost, if not then i modify for them rite there and then or i go home, the next time i go back there is to sign a contract.

to much money and time is wasted in giving free quotes and ideas and no one is gonna pay for that so be a little smarter on it.

 

I was around 17k,lowes said around 11k. I had 2- 45 minute meetings, I'm comfortable with that, I believe that time is important for the relationship. I have a good closing rate.

 

what was the estimated cost of your project?
also you need to be in and out in 1-2 hrs and everything after that is by email.
i go to a customers house, draw up their ideas on what they want, show it to them, is that's what they want i let them know the cost, if not then i modify for them rite there and then or i go home, the next time i go back there is to sign a contract.

to much money and time is wasted in giving free quotes and ideas and no one is gonna pay for that so be a little smarter on it.

It's not as simple as that though. I have over 15hrs currently into figuring out a deck. Now if we talking just a cheap run of the mill deck then yeah they are easy to figure out. When a customer has an idea and all the products have to be sourced and the design gone over the hours add up fast.

But anyway wait until she gets it installed. She will then see why they were cheaper lol.

 

I agree with BC, a good size job like this needs to be coddled. I'm guessing either something is wrong, or are the dumping the Saddle for super cheap?

 

I have heard from my supplier that the accents line will be going away, this year.
Don't know if there's any truth to the rumor though it would make good business sense.

 

That decking is about 5 years late of being discontinued...

11K... that's sad. While you're at it post up the design!

I looked through the prints of a project I lost (probably due to cost, they didn't elaborate) and the guy had some 8" piers, and while they TECHNICALLY met the loading requirements I personally would never do it. 12" minimum to me, but you start adding up all the little things and when you build to the bare minimum of code you can build for cheap, but you'll have warranty issues and make yourself a bad name in a short period of time.

 

Saddle is nothing but problems I think you could google some of the issues Trex has had with Accents and sell her on something else. Accents is no longer in production for good reason. However there is still inventory on the ground at some vendors.