pcjs, >> haven't been able to find anyone to do a 4x6 deck for us ... give me their contractor's price (we are DIY) So you'll tackle windows but not a 4x6 deck? I built fences and decks in the MD/VA/DC area back in the 80's and our basic (#2 py, #1 pt decking) was around $12-15 sqft. The caveat is that the estimate can be highly site specific: access, finished height, size, materials etc. Very few EVER turned out "standard". Customers always wanted: benches, planters, curved sections, cedar decking, electrical outlets ... you get the picture. Please make sure you see and talk with the contractors past customers, both recent (currrent year) and several 2-3year old clients. Our crews changed from year-to-year. They should be licensed/bonded/insured. Bob

Commanche, What's up chief? I saw your comment about using untreated pine - now thats something I never heard of before. I suspect it would not pass building codes, but you do have me thinking about it. Its just hard to beleive that stained untreated pine would hold up to any adverse weather/sun conditions. What stain did you use? Anybody else ever try this? On the other had, it does seem that the (questionable) protection from today pressure treating has the adverse effect of making the wood very high in moisture content when its bought and then it moves all over the place as it dries. If I did buy PT, I would prefer to sticker it and let it air dry for a year or so but I don't have that kind of time (or should have thought about that last year). Any one know where you can get PT wood that has been thoroughly dried down to a guranteed moister content? Factor applied water seal and moldicide would be even better. There is still a downside in that PT would often has that greenish color from the PT process and it does not look natural, or even looks like mold. Anyway, thanks again to all who have made suggestions. I am still researching my options and I am learning a lot form this forum. PS - anybody use the CAMO Marksman hidden screw system. It has a screw alignment jig that angles the screw in the edge of the board at a 45 degree angle. I will see if I can find a thread on this. Link below. http://www.protoolreviews.com/reviews/hardware/screws-nails/camo-marksman-pro-fastener Here is a link that might be useful: CAMO hidden screw system

Welcome a board deckbarn guy. Your site is a sales site,not a deckbuilder site. But you have the loud mouth of some Carpenters I know so it seems you know something about the business. But you dont know doug fir at all it has a very long life exposed to the weather without any treatment at all. Its not to be compaired with hem fir.If young Dream used the copper napthenate and used a S & B grade of dougfir on the whole project he would get 6 years + out of it. The frame is not going in the ground remember. You do know what copper naptheate is right barndeck?? anyway Dream my man using this stuf is nasty put on eye protection and gloves. It has a high smell but it will go away after a while. Might run a big fan on it for a couple of days. Doing this it would not suprise me if you got 10 years out of it. John Hyatt www.deckmastersllc.com

I know that was years ago, but the bids these guys are throwing at me are 3 or 4 times what I paid in 2001. Something ain't right here. Unfortunately, it's probably more right than wrong. Our previous renovation was completed in 2006. It was basically a new house as it was down to the studs, new addition with new foundation, an entirely new 2nd story. I kept accurate records as to how much that cost us to give me a starting point on our new build in 2017. I was expecting things to be more expensive, but I was shocked when things were 4 times as much in many cases. We got multiple bids on everything and yep, 3-4 times as much is pretty accurate. Material costs have gone up and labor is way more expensive, if you can even find someone to do the job. We had a terrible time finding a good concrete contractor. And we never did find a trim carpenter. I called, I emailed with no response. The ones that did come out to look at the job said they'd get back to me and never did. DH and I ended up doing all the trim ourselves. Good luck!