How to estimate a deck?

[Spelunx]

We are considering putting a deck onto the second story of our two-story house. Is there any way of guessimating the cost? I know that renovations will cost $1500-$2000 per square metre, is there any equivalent for decking?

I am pretty handy with wood, and have done a ground-level deck before, so what I was thinking was getting a retired builder in for some cash to help me put up the posts, barers and joists, then I will nail the decking myself.

[OBBob]

Hi there, you need to come up with your design, then once you know the timbers sizes required etc. you can ring a supplier or look at tradeconnect.com.au to get a basic cost. Then add however much you think you can hire a retired builder for.

I'm not sure there would be an equivalent price per Sqm for decks because it isn't such a large job as a house and not as easily averaged. Also, if it is not at ground level then there maybe additional structural requirements that bump up the price.

[Barry_White]

Hi Spelunx

I work for a company that does home improvements and we do decks using steel bearers and joists with various types of decking materials and with hardwood decking we charge $409.00 M2 for the materials for up to a metre high and $86.00/m per pier over 1 metre. Installation is from 20% to 30% on top depending on how far from our sales centre.

We are considered to be expensive.

Hope this will give you an idea of what to expect.

Sorry but we don't do work in the west.

[Cobber]

I have been told by a few builders now that a good estimate is simply $250-$260 per sq metre.

Over $400 is damn expensive but I guess it uses steel.

Cobber

[Spelunx]

Cheers guys,

I only wanted it rough because at this stage it is only a plan.

I am hoping to get a lot of the timber from local mills, as I live in the South West of WA, and have a few handy.

Any other tips people pass along to save money? I am planning to do a lot of the work myself, except from the basic construction.

[russ34]

baz, how do you fix the decking to the steel joists?

[Barry_White]

baz, how do you fix the decking to the steel joists?

Our builders fix the decking down with Teks. Two to each board. Because of the way our steel joist are made they are fixing into a double thickness of steel. The joists are actually a box section.

We have a company near here who manufactures steel house frames and he has been fixing out his houses with an air nailer for over 20 years. Fixing all manner of things. e.g. Hardiplank, hardwood flooring, pyneboard flooring and architraves etc. and has never had any thing fail yet.

When he fixes decking he leaves the nails proud and hand punches the nails home. He did a test once to see if he could pull the nails out and the boards snapped in half at the nail points.