[Calidecks]

Did I miss where they listed the size of the deck? How can you come up with anything without the size? EDIT: NVM... found it... still ridiculous... there are so many variable missing, it's like saying a kitchen costs $XX,***.00

At the top of the price list it says 250 sq. ft. You can put your own sq. footage in and your zip code.

 

[redwood]

For my area, for a 1000 sq. ft. deck of Best composite, they quote $ 9.75/sq. ft., complete. I start at $ 25/sq.ft. without railings, steps, ect. I keep pretty busy, so I must not be too far off.

 

[Calidecks]

For my area, for a 1000 sq. ft. deck of Best composite, they quote $ 9.75/sq. ft., complete. I start at $ 25/sq.ft. without railings, steps, ect. I keep pretty busy, so I must not be too far off.

I do them for 25 without railing too, but they are your most basic decks, once they get above your head that all changes. The materials alone for all the framing hardware decking and fasteners it's about 11 or 12 bucks a sq. ft.

 

[hdavis]

The link was for composite decking, not ipe.

Ipe's one of the choices on the LHS of the page. I haven't used composite for decking yet, so I chose Ipe.

The notes below the estimate says it covers the structural members and the decking materials and labor. I thought it was pretty clear, I lifted that information right from the site and put it into the previous post so everyone could see what was included..

 

[Texas Wax]

Ipe's one of the choices on the LHS of the page. I haven't used composite for decking yet, so I chose Ipe.

The notes below the estimate says it covers the structural members and the decking materials and labor. I thought it was pretty clear, I lifted that information right from the site and put it into the previous post so everyone could see what was included..

I DID TOO - if they are implying that is even on the low side for a full deck and not just decking, they are screwing their paying contractors on referrals for decks. Not my problem - If people get sticker shock when they get real bids.

 

[KennMacMoragh]

Am I the only one that doesn't see anything wrong with it? It says "does not include costs for removal or disposal of existing decking, repair of damage due to existing decking, construction of benches, railings or structures attached to the deck." That covers about 90% of the deck. If someone gave you a 20'x15' stripped deck with all 20' boards to fasten down, you could probably do it in a few hours, I'd do it for $300.

 

[Calidecks]

Am I the only one that doesn't see anything wrong with it? It says "does not include costs for removal or disposal of existing decking, repair of damage due to existing decking, construction of benches, railings or structures attached to the deck." That covers about 90% of the deck. If someone gave you a 20'x15' stripped deck with all 20' boards to fasten down, you could probably do it in a few hours, I'd do it for $300.

I can't buy the materials to pour footings, frame it and deck it. 250 sq. ft. Even if I didn't demo an old deck, or put railing on. Or build benches. I still have to frame it pour the footings and deck it. I tell you what, I can keep you extremely busy if you will do this for 300 bucks.

Here's what the price includes

The homewyse cost estimates includes all typical costs for foundation, structural support framing, deck edge banding and corrosion resistant fastening system (stainless steel, aluminum or galvanized, as specified by manufacturer). Plus the composite decking

 

[KennMacMoragh]

I can't buy the materials to pour footings, frame it and deck it. 250 sq. ft. Even if I didn't demo an old deck, or put railing on. Or build benches. I still have to frame it pour the footings and deck it. I tell you what, I can keep you extremely busy if you will do this for 300 bucks. Here's what the price includes The homewyse cost estimates includes all typical costs for foundation, structural support framing, deck edge banding and corrosion resistant fastening system (stainless steel, aluminum or galvanized, as specified by manufacturer). Plus the composite decking

I know dude, it says it doesn't cover any of that. Read what I quoted, it says no structures attached. I didn't see anything in that article that was wrong. I don't know how anyone would use the article in a practical situation, but I think you guys are misperceiving what it says.

Oh I didn't see the next line, yeah I guess it contradicts itself with the foundation and frame.

 

[greg24k]

Like to meet the idiot who came up with that calculator.
Now I know where my customers from India get theirs pricing... and if they didn't find that site yet, I will forward to them so they can beat up some poor Schmuck from Craig's list with it.

 

[hdavis]

I DID TOO - if they are implying that is even on the low side for a full deck and not just decking, they are screwing their paying contractors on referrals for decks. Not my problem - If people get sticker shock when they get real bids.

Agreed - I missed your point the first time:jester:.

 

[KAP]

"But I saw on the internet"... and the internet is never wrong...

 

[101043]

"total cost" it gives me is what we charge for labor alone.....as subs.

 

[EthanB]

For a composite deck in my zip code it estimates $183-204 for installation of a 150 square foot deck. You can save $50 off that if you go for a basic installation. :whistling

 

[MTN REMODEL LLC]

Yes.... People have to understand the limitations of these estimating programs. There are too many variable that they can't consider or fully explain.

In Ethans example above, they obviously don't incorporate even a service/set-up charge.

Colorado every two years does a residential tax assesment based on presumably a complex mathmatical technique known as muli variable linear regression. (much more complex than an internet estimating site).

I fight/advise some tax assesment issues for friends and I can show you a property that at last assesment was lowest for their neighborhood and with a new assesment that is highest for the neighborhood.... nothing has been done to the property and the data input was virtually the same.

To me, this is prima-facia proof that one of those assesments is dead wrong. (There has been absolutely no change in neighborhood factors)

Give me statistics and I can prove the average person has one ball and one t1t.

 

[tjbnwi]

I used HD prices for a 120 square foot deck. No rail or stairs.

Concrete, 2- 12" tubes, 2- 1/2"x12" j-bolts, 2-ABA 44 post bases $83.84

Beam, 2-2x10x10 $23.54

Rim board, ledger board, blocking 3-2x8x12. $29.91

Joists, 9-2x8x12. $102.33

Joist hangers, 7. $8.05

H1H-7. $4.90

Screws, nails, LedgerLoks. $93.77

Trex 22-5-1/2x12. $960.12

Subtotal $1298.41

Tax 7.5%. $97.38

Delivery. $65.00

Permit. $75.00

Total material cost. $1535.71

This is a the link to the website with my zip code and 120 square feet.

http://www.homewyse.com/costs/cost_of_composite_decking.html

I looked, it clears my zip code , it is 46303, deck size 120 sq. ft.

According to their website their price includes installation, and all other related costs.

Their best deck complete is $317.71 less than my cost without O&P and labor.

Tom

 

[101043]

I used HD prices for a 120 square foot deck. No rail or stairs.

Concrete, 2- 12" tubes, 2- 1/2"x12" j-bolts, 2-ABA 44 post bases $83.84

Beam, 2-2x10x10 $23.54

Rim board, ledger board, blocking 3-2x8x12. $29.91

Joists, 9-2x8x12. $102.33

Joist hangers, 7. $8.05

H1H-7. $4.90

Screws, nails, LedgerLoks. $93.77

Trex 22-5-1/2x12. $960.12

Subtotal $1298.41

Tax 7.5%. $97.38

Delivery. $65.00

Permit. $75.00

Total material cost. $1535.71

This is a the link to the website with my zip code and 120 square feet.

http://www.homewyse.com/costs/cost_of_composite_decking.html

I looked, it clears my zip code , it is 46303, deck size 120 sq. ft.

According to their website their price includes installation, and all other related costs.

Tom

the site only does pricing for the decking only, not framing the deck. still way too low, but yeah.

 

[tjbnwi]

the site only does pricing for the decking only, not framing the deck. still way too low, but yeah.

Below is copied directly from the site. It is the 4th bullet point. It very clearly states that the foundation, framing, edge banding and fasteners are included in their cost.

I forgot to add the flashing and flashing tape to my cost add about $20.00. I see it includes edge banding, I assume they mean a picture frame, add $41.99 to my cost for 1 more deck plank.

"The homewyse cost estimates includes all typical costs for foundation, structural support framing, deck edge banding and corrosion resistant fastening system (stainless steel, aluminum or galvanized, as specified by manufacturer"

This is The first statement on the page stating their prices are installed cost, so they include labor also.

"Do you need to know the range of average installed costs for Composite Decking in your zip code? Do you need an independent, 2013 cost breakdown of Composite Decking material and installation costs?"

Tom

 

[Calidecks]

I almost want to call them out on it.

 

[101043]

yeah, I would really love to know where they pulled these prices from. cause they're nowhere near half actual cost. they say $7.80-9.50 sq ft TOTAL cost for my area. right. labor alone is more than that.

 

[tjbnwi]

I almost want to call them out on it.

I don't understand how these 'estimators' come up with the pricing.

My parents home was damage by a tornado 4 years ago. The insurance estimate came back in the mid-30k. My estimate was in the high 80's. Tree service alone was in the mid 20's. We got a good and fair arbitrator, he awarded 82k plus the tree service. Took 3 1/2 years.

Tom