I'm getting ready to start pricing around landscapers and deck builders and wanted to know if anyone had any great or horrible experiences. I'm all about recommendations, so if you worked with someone and had a good experience, please let me know.

The deck guys definatly need to be insured and bonded, the landscape guys, not nessecerily. I mean, it's still important, but i'm open to suggestions.

Also, with the deck guys i'm looking for someone who would be open to just framing it (as an option.)

For landscaping, i need someone to help me decide what would work in an area and possibly install it (plant wise) also might be some hardscaping involved. I definatly need some areas graded and seeded with grass.

Thanks!

9/2/2007 9:56:32 PM

Decks are a pain in the ass in NC because they count as structural additions. That means you have to get permits, arrange inspections, meet very over engineered foundation requirements, etc... In other states decks are a glorified weekend project. The nice thing is that once you're done, you could wall it up and turn it into a new room for your house. Just make sure you have a reputable licensed builder. Be careful though, I know a few contractors who really overcharge on things like decks because they require half the effort of doing something like framing a house. Before hiring a contractor, I like to see, in person, examples of their work, both finished and in progress. A deck built by real craftsmen will look a lot better than a deck slapped together by 4 half-drunk Mexicans.

9/2/2007 10:03:34 PM

I helped my father build a deck when I was a young teen. fucking bad ass and lessons I use to this day.

[Edited on September 2, 2007 at 10:45 PM. Reason : oh I have no informative input here]

9/2/2007 10:44:59 PM

Are you in Raleigh? I know of some good contractors but they are in the Wake Forest area.

9/2/2007 10:53:29 PM

^^^its not very hard. a buddy of mine built one over two weekends, called for the inspection and got the approval.

I can put you in touch with a guy who can probably just frame it out for you, he's a pretty damn good carpenter, no idea what he will charge, but he does his shit right.

9/2/2007 11:13:33 PM

Be your own contractor and sub-lease the job out to someone. A deck is really hard to screw up and its pretty easy to build if your attaching it to your house. I have built a few decks and they can be really simple or you can make it really difficult. Now is a great time to build a deck because lumber is really cheap.
Landscaping I would avoid doing sod and fescue. It requires alot of water and right now you can't irrigate it. I would suggest going with alot of plants that require little amounts of water.

9/2/2007 11:28:07 PM

Just make sure the ppl that build it don't cut any corners. You gotta be there watching them. It might seem a bit annoying or over the top but thats what you have to do to get the job done the way you want it. Especially make sure they connect it to your house properly and get a guy to come out and inspect it to be perfectly sure its sturdy.

9/2/2007 11:35:02 PM

My deck is not all that simple. It's an add-on to an existing deck, and so it will turn out to be a split-level. It's also going to need to be built on a hill and will have to have a turning (spiral-like) staircase. I am in Raleigh.

Also, any landscaping recommendations?

[Edited on September 3, 2007 at 10:29 AM. Reason : :]

9/3/2007 10:28:34 AM

My father an older brother are general contractors if you still need a deck person. My dad's been doing this type of stuff for 30+ years (20 in NJ).

A lot of their customers prefer them because my dad is the one that shows up for the estimate and he and my brother are the ones who do the work. No subcrews.

BTW, they do free estimates.


PM if interested.



[Edited on September 3, 2007 at 11:03 AM. Reason : ...]

9/3/2007 11:02:41 AM