Decking project

[ian12345]

Hi,

I am looking to bring out some decking from the side of my garage into my garden, here is a basic image of the dimensions and design.

http://img32.imageshack.us/i/designmeasurements3.jpg/

Here are other images that show it from other angles.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8152/designlook1.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7830/designlook2.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3059/designlook3.jpg

A few details the images do not show:

1. Although it does not show it the decking will be at roughly ground level at the wall end as the garden slopes away, although some soil will need to be moved at the wall end to make room for the ledger board.


2. Now the design tool i used does not allow me to add slopes so the stairs on the side is actually going to be a slope.

3. It also does not allow me to show a ledger board as that is what it will be fixed to the wall with.

4. I will be wanting membrane gravel put underneath.

Ok so finally the questions:

1. If i got a contractor to do this roughly how much would it cost.

2. Roughly how much would ALL the materials cost if i did it myself.

3. How long should it take.

4. Most importantly WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I BE ASKING?.

 

[Thermo]

Hi,

I am looking to bring out some decking from the side of my garage into my garden, here is a basic image of the dimensions and design.

http://img32.imageshack.us/i/designmeasurements3.jpg/

Here are other images that show it from other angles.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8152/designlook1.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7830/designlook2.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/3059/designlook3.jpg

A few details the images do not show:

1. Although it does not show it the decking will be at roughly ground level at the wall end as the garden slopes away, although some soil will need to be moved at the wall end to make room for the ledger board.


2. Now the design tool i used does not allow me to add slopes so the stairs on the side is actually going to be a slope.

3. It also does not allow me to show a ledger board as that is what it will be fixed to the wall with.

4. I will be wanting membrane gravel put underneath.

Ok so finally the questions:

1. If i got a contractor to do this roughly how much would it cost.
really depends on who does it, site access etc etc best option is get a few decent landscapers to quote

2. Roughly how much would ALL the materials cost if i did it myself. take the drawing into a couple of builders merchants, depends on width of boards, softwood, hardwood etc. A lot of builders merchants have good offers on during the summer


3. How long should it take. softwood, we would do it in about 2 days, hardwood probably 3

4. Most importantly WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I BE ASKING?.

Couple of points to consider, we always wrap the frame in fabric. that ensures nothing will grow through and nothing will drop through either. If you put the fabric on the ground and gravel on top, things will grow in it and things can grow over it and up through the deck.

Most important thing with any deck is the frame, should be using 6 x 2 at least in that situation. Check how they intend to support it. Check references. Make sure the materials come from a decent supplier, not wickes etc

 

[masona]

Do you really need 2 stairs? will more floor space otherwise

 

[ian12345]

Do you really need 2 stairs? will more floor space otherwise

The stairs on the side will actually be a slope oposite the garden gate for wheelchair access.

 

[ian12345]

Most important thing with any deck is the frame, should be using 6 x 2 at least in that situation. Check how they intend to support it. Check references. Make sure the materials come from a decent supplier, not wickes etc

Ok i got some prices from a timber yard today:

144mm wide decking boards £1.62+vat per metre.

4x4x8ft posts (to be cut down to 2 4x4x4ft each) 6.30+vat each

6x2 joists 1.74+ to 2.00+vat(depending on how long i want them) per metre.

The spindals really add up, im considering losing the spindals and hand rail and just having rope between the newals with a base rail (for safety as i do not want a chair leg going over the edge) what do you think?.

 

[Thermo]

from what i understand the deck is at ground level. Why the need for rails at all (yes the spindles do really add up, try it in hardwood!) Rope looks good, just remember to soak it first to shrink it.

heres one we did a while ago with rope

Untitled

• Thermo
• 20 May 2010
• 1

 

[ian12345]

from what i understand the deck is at ground level. Why the need for rails at all (yes the spindles do really add up, try it in hardwood!) Rope looks good, just remember to soak it first to shrink it.

heres one we did a while ago with rope

Untitled

• Thermo
• 20 May 2010
• 1

The part near the garage wall im coming off is at ground level, the ground slopes away so most of the decking will be above ground level.

How do the prices i posted compare btw?.

 

[Thermo]

not bad, we get most of it cheaper, but then thats trade and we get through a lot of it.

 

[quercus320]

Those prices look pretty reasonable to me.

Having just more or less finished a (slightly smaller) project, I'd suggest that you list and get costs for fixings and tools in addition to the timber itself.

I used a mixture of truss clips and joist hangers to attach joist to beams (my deck is split-height), so you'll need to budget for something along these lines, plus things like deck screws. I also used coach bolts to attach beams to posts (big ones aren't cheap!) and needed to buy things like long auger drill bits to drill the holes for these. Plus if you're concreting in posts, post fixing concrete comes in at about £5/bag, and you'll need some of these, or stuff to mix your own concrete.

None of these are that expensive individually, but for a big deck, they add up.


Also, the other big think you should think about, with your deck being more than 30cm above ground level at one end: do you need to apply for planning permission for this? The link here seems to suggest you might: http://www.tda.org.uk/NetBuildPro/process/15/Planningbuildingregulations.html - you might want to call your local planning office to see what they say.