Looking for a good deck builder

Different decks have different requirements for planning approval; from memory, I think that anything higher than a metre needs to be approved by ACTPLA, and accordingly, you will need to endure the painful planning process (which includes an ACTEWAGL inspection) before you procede. I would advise against building illegally, however tempting. If something should happen to a guest whilst on your deck – you are screwed. Also – if you ever want to sell your house, you’ll need approvals anyway.

We engaged a professional deck building company to do ours and it was a HORROR. Seriously – a horror from start to finish (and by horror, I mean that an unqualified apprentice with three weeks experience was left, on his own, to put up our deck – resulting in posts that were crooked, floors that looked as though my child had installed them etc… etc…). It all got fixed after we sourced legal assistance, but tread very, very carefully. Ask to meet the actual builders, ask how often they will actually be at your house, ask to meet the various tradespeople involved, ask for recent references from customers, go and look at their decks if you can – and be very, very careful who you engage.

Don’t get suckered in by the nice, professional guys who give you the quotes – they probably won’t even be there when your deck is being built. Our quoter was lovely; the carpenter that was in charge went to the Chisholm pub each day on opening and left his apprentice by himself. Dodgy. I literally felt unsafe (and unsafe for my kids) with the carpenter in my yard.

If you need a good deck builder who is reliable, professional, very reasonably priced and a respectable human being; try Lindon (0413 701 073) or Ray (0408 639 845). I found them AFTER our deck was built, but they have both done work for me since and we have been very happy. I particularly like Ray; he came to tear down one of our walls and build a few steps and offered us a range of (free) helpful advice about a bunch of other things in our house. He is a champion, and a lovely bloke to boot.

For a more complicated deck building project (or house extension); I thoroughly recommend James, on 0438 543 027. James just put up our extension (with some decking adjustments) and his work is beautiful (and about $40,000 cheaper than the nearest other quote) and all of his trademen are really, really nice blokes.

Good luck!

Tempestas, in reality the framework isn’t any more complicated or difficult than the decking. Getting everything level and square takes time and some attention to detail but it’s by no means rocket surgery. If I had one piece of advice though, it would be: never assume the building you are working with is in square – measure everything, including existing features. You’re deck might be perfect, but it will still look funny if the house isn’t square.

Thumpers suggestion about the Bunnings “how to” pamphlets is a good idea as they provide all the information on what you need to do to meet building code standards. ACTPLA also have information sheets on what needs approval and what dosn’t.

Shop around for timber – there’s plenty of choice and prices will be significantly cheaper than Bunnings.

When you’re sitting on your deck, having just finished it and enjoying a beer, you’ll be glad you took it on.

The DIY option is one I keep thinking about, so to add to the original question, is there any who will do the important that its straight and level bits (ie posts and joists) and leave the “just get the apprentice to do it” bits for the budding DIYer?

+1 for what the clown said. It’s a bit of work and a bit of planning but really, it’s not that difficult. Head down to Bunnings and grab one of their how to do it pamphlets.

And there is something quite special about sitting back on your deck drinking a beer after you’ve finished it …

Unless you’re married to someone who has trouble hanging a clothes dryer on a wall, in which case you’re better to employ someone who knows what they’re doing 🙁

You could try Pete or Jared Watt on (02) 6294 2014. Pete does some really creative things with decks.

I got a bloke called Ricky from Jim’s fencing to do ours, he came recommended from a friend, and although we didn’t get anything too fancy, he did a fantastic job. Would you like the contact details?

You could have a go at it yourself. It’s not that hard and You will have an excellent idea of what exactly you want.

Have a close look at stuff that you like, get some advice from ACTPLA on what’s required in terms of technical specs and building codes and get going.