Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Feb 21, 2011 10:48 am We were going to build our new deck, but may possible hire someone to build it for us instead. We're in Melbourne (western suburbs) and need a new deck built 4 x 3 and the old part of the deck that will connect (4x 5) just needs new decking timber, that base is fine. We're thinking Merabu as we like the finish and have heard its very hard wearing if you oil it. Do you pay a decker by the hour? Does anyone have a rough estimate/idea? Any advice, recommendations of someone to use in the Western suburbs? Thanks Re: Cost of paying someone to do your deck 2Feb 21, 2011 11:19 am Hi Cheeky Don't think they will do by the hour, even for your job that isn't that big. Typical way to calculate cost is by m2 of the deck, with the $/m2 changing depending on a lot of factors (more info the better). Most important one is how high is the deck off the ground? Costs escalate the higher you go. Re: Cost of paying someone to do your deck 4Feb 21, 2011 11:46 am 500 off the ground is probably a pretty ideal height. Other factors like type of footings, hand rail, any earthmoving required etc etc For a standalone new deck, maybe $250ish / m2 for merbau? And for the relayed deck, maybe 1/3 of that figure /m2? So ballpark might be looking at $5K for the lot. To DIY, you might be able to at least halve that (depending on whether you have tools or not). If you don't own or have free access to tools tho, it'll cut into your savings by DIYing. Re: Cost of paying someone to do your deck 5Feb 21, 2011 1:13 pm Really, 5 k is do-able? No rails, no earth moving. Basically the ground is ready to go. When we looked into doing it ourselves, we just need materials for the new area (top and support parts) and the new top for the existing deck. we were quoted approx 4k for materials only. We do have tools and hubby is quite practical, but we've never built a deck, and if it isn't completely ridiculous, we'd rather have a professional do it. Re: Cost of paying someone to do your deck 6Feb 21, 2011 1:29 pm Actually second thought that might be a teeny bit light. I priced up materials only for a completely new 400mm high 26m2 merbau as $3800. But that was using Pryda stirrups bolted to existing concrete slab rather than concreted posts. As a fraction on my estimate, your 12m2 new part might be $1800 And 20m2 of 90mm merbau might be $1500 tops So over $3k for the materials, so maybe $6K for a pro might be closer to the mark. I'd get quoting - will cost you nothing except a few phone calls Re: Cost of paying someone to do your deck 7Feb 22, 2011 12:02 am I read the title and nearly deleted it. But you actually said "deck" Re: Cost of paying someone to do your deck 8Feb 22, 2011 8:26 am With my NZ accent, i probably did say that! I've remeasured our deck and the new numbers are... New deck (needing support and framing etc) is 7.3 x 3.3 old deck (needing new top) is 6.2 x 4.2. Re: Cost of paying someone to do your deck 9Feb 22, 2011 11:14 am Woweee cheeky, that re-measure changes everything . . . . For a pro you might be looking at $6ish for the new part. So now you're looking at getting towards 5 figures for the lot if a pro did it. Surrey Hills, Vic 3127 Garage is being built with metal, 3m distance away from my cover deck. It is parallel to my cover deck, living room, family room and kitchen,… 0 9611 I've just built 3 stairs off a landing out the back and been told by the private certifier I need hand rails sorry tried to attach a pic but couldn't mine don't have sides… 5 5705 So I'm just reading up on this ecosystem of lights. I'm planning on putting deck lights along the outside edge of a large deck. Will need about 3 packs (18 lights) plus… 0 23012 |