A few months ago, I posted about what it’d cost to replace a deck in Georgia. I got some crazy quotes, and lot of hate from contractors in that post. Ya’ll inspired me!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Decks/s/i4IjkLQKn7

I took two weeks off work and went to my sister’s house. I spent 2 weeks building this for my sister (for Christmas), and the total cost for materials was just shy of $7k.

Here’s what it looks like now.

9 points ThinkWhile9347

Wow. Very nice. I live in Alpharetta. Want to come rebuilt my deck????? I have cold beers in the fridge.

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13 points BaseOrdinary6742

Good on you.

I know a lot of DIYers have unrealistic expectations, but god damn contractors have such fragile fucking egos.

It would be one thing if pros actually did decent work, but these days so many contractors are doing absolute dogshit work and charging way too much for it. You can’t blame a guy for doing the research and doing it himself.

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8 points NoTickTicky

Contractors here said $20k+. I got some quotes even as high as 30k. Contractors basically just hire cheap labor and overinflate costs.

This really wasn’t hard work once I had the cut list and an extra set of free helping hands (nephew, off from school for the holiday). I did pay the concrete contractor though to pour my footers

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9 points kitastrophae

Well done op

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3 points sasquatch1601

Looks nice, though it seems like you’re missing a post for the end of the new rim joist that butts up next to the screened portion.

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3 points NoTickTicky

They land.

https://preview.redd.it/4gpe5goet79g1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bc264fd5baf5cd5f6853bd3caff4ca45e5d2a1e

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1 points sasquatch1601

What about the rim joist that’s going off to the right in that picture? Seems like it’s supported by two bolts, and it’s carrying the load of the joists

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3 points NoTickTicky

Carriage bolts, supported by post directly under it, and post to the left

https://preview.redd.it/nw345lqjw79g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0f046de66560e5edb2d15ac8a72b7808bfe060b2

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3 points Aggressive_Dog191

I’m with Sasquatch on this. Sure looks like you’re missing direct bearing g where the two decks come together. Not saying it’s going to fall tomorrow morning, but still. Also, shouldn’t the hand rail be graspable? Pretty deck though.

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5 points NoTickTicky

!remindme 30 years

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3 points turtlesinmyheart

I come from the future and you end up buying a new post in 6 months.

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1 points RemindMeBot

I will be messaging you in 30 years on 2055-12-25 00:28:57 UTC to remind you of this link

1 OTHERS CLICKED THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.

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1 points terrible1one3

My dad did something similar to this. The wood has just started bowing a couple inches on his. Once it did that it hasn’t moved since. I really need to fix his deck for him. Though I am no pro myself.

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2 points ginganinja0430

Looks like the two bolts are for the rail post. And the screws connect the rim to the joist over the column.

The double rim is the beam for all those hanging joists and there is no direct load path to the ground for the end opposite the stairs. You are relying on 4 screws in the L Bracket and some nails into end grain to transfer weight to the post under the screened porch.

Not saying it will fail soon, but as the PT dries and things shrink, I would keep an eye on those connectors.

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2 points ginganinja0430

Looking at it more and the original post. It looks like there used to be a column under the outer corners of the screened portion. OP removed the old columns and set a new drop beam and columns slightly closer to the house. The post for the corner of the stairs looks like it was in line with the old posts under the screened porch.

I feel like temporary shoring could’ve been done where the new beam is and OP could’ve put a new 6x6 under the free hanging corner. That would keep everything as a face hanging deck and give direct support under that corner.

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2 points NoTickTicky

Edit: here was the original post. https://www.reddit.com/r/Decks/s/ga9wIgz4V8

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1 points craftedDecks

Nice work! You did a good job. I need a sibling to do this for me. Haha!

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1 points RedbarnRiver

She’s a beaut, Clark!

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1 points Stone804_

Not a builder… why don’t have cement raised platforms on the support beams? I would think that wood on the ground will rot from sitting in the water pools over the years, vs. being raised off the ground.

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3 points NoTickTicky

Footers were poured when concrete was. Used brackets to keep wood off the concrete

https://preview.redd.it/h6dwswict79g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=806a6b5068c61468caac01c8faea11da841e6778

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1 points Stone804_

Ohhhh! Cool!

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1 points Suninthesky25

What did you use for the ballusters? Looks great, dyi plus. I am about 2 hours north when you get another week off 😂 help.

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1 points NoTickTicky

Basically these. I can’t find the ones I bought in store.

Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in store

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Afoxsos-50-Pack-26-x-3-4-Hollow-Square-Metal-Deck-Balusters-Black-Staircase-Spindle-and-Railing-Porch-SA1121386/336622489

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1 points Suninthesky25

Thank you..

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1 points sprunkymdunk

So how much do you think is a reasonable quote from a contractor, seeing as it was two weeks of work for multiple people and 7k in materials?

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-1 points NoTickTicky

I think $18k is absurd… and that was for the cheapest materials (no trex). Also, 2 laborers @ $30/hr x 80 man hours each == $4,800 + $7k materials == $11,800. A GC who shows up only when money is due is worth an extra $8k+? Nah.

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1 points JonnyD-

What type of metal are the flat balusters made out of?

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1 points NoTickTicky

Aluminum. And for extra precaution, I hit it with some rattle can before install

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0 points JonnyD-

The ACQ treated will eat those up. Google it

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1 points NoTickTicky

Hopefully the coat of rustoleum prior to install will make them last :)

Worst case, when it corrodes, I’ll just replace with SS

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0 points JonnyD-

The coating will not stop it. If there is kids at that home you should replace pronto.

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2 points NoTickTicky

Chill, it will be fine. I’ll deal with it next year if it’s bad

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1 points edupsych34

It looks great! What brand and color are the composite pieces on the stairs? I like those.

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1 points NoTickTicky

Rocky Harbor (Trex)

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1 points edupsych34

Thanks. I'll recommend that one. I really like it!

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1 points NoTickTicky

It was cheaper too!

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1 points Aggressive_Dog191

How did you secure the ledger to the house with it being brick veneer?

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1 points NoTickTicky

Existing ledger from previous deck (sister wanted different footprint and stairs)

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1 points Aggressive_Dog191

Figured that was the case. Was hoping you had maybe tried the Simpson brackets that let you mount through the veneer. Never actually seen them in the wild.

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1 points SolidRelief5849

I have a large deck in Dunwoody that needs rebuild but your correct. Quotes I have been given are outrageous!

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1 points thekaymancomes

Show us the GX460 please and thanks!

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1 points NoTickTicky

GX470 :)

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2 points thekaymancomes

lol good point!

I have an LX450 myself

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1 points NoTickTicky

I just had the seats re-done

https://preview.redd.it/c0ujbs61ce9g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=71deabb9f617af90f63ad081fe5355e78fcab047

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1 points NoTickTicky

https://preview.redd.it/5mmhllb2ce9g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52ceab7dd474a9e9696d54957910eb5211008352

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1 points NoTickTicky

https://preview.redd.it/iwauv5g3ce9g1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b9c720f6e901e9999569f5b4f9276fcd618ed025

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1 points ArugulaBackground206

Noice

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1 points Super_Row_9437

Looks fuckin great well done! Now your sister just needs a hot tub under there lol

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