I have some questions about deckbuilding and responses in regard to your companies. Thank you.

10/10/2012 at 6:12:07 PM

Hi there,

Good luck in starting this business. We are a general contractors and have trouble in this department. Every type of market can benefit at this type of work.

Financing is a big part of any construction, so have the marketing budget and a big budget for projects. Have consumers sign contracts before starting any project. In addition real wood is the best way to build any deck. It all depends on the type of project your customer wants, and how much they are willing to pay. Weatherproofing, is a tricky part of the project. Their are many products to help protect the deck from water damages.

Good luck to you, hope it all works out

10/10/2012 at 6:38:35 PM

I got started because Noah was needing help building a boat. (well it seems like it's been that long anyway.)

1. I got started full time because someone needed help.

1. I have been doing free work for 10 years now, subsequently I started HouseBusters purely out of consumer demand, people saw the quality of work we did at Table Talk Ministries and decided they wanted the same service.

2. I target people who have a need, then I fill that need.

3. Do your absolute best ever work, not just the first few jobs, but, every job. (reputation reputation reputation).

4. Either, I like wood, but, it is the customers choice.

5. I always waterproof my wheelchair ramps, I just use a garden sprayer after the ramp is built, I spray it down with Thompsons in a garden sprayer.

Good Luck to you..

10/11/2012 at 9:30:27 AM

Hi Diane,

Like most of us, I got in to the Deck Building business by accident. in 1984 I was working for my friends dad building new homes, after about a year he put me in charge of all the new decks...not long after that he paid me as a sub-contractor and I hired my own men. By 1986 I purchased a brand new 300 zx turbo right out of the showroom...keep in mind I was still living home with mom and Dad, but the money was insane.

In 1987 I expanded and advertised in different towns in their local newspaper, My crew grew to 8 employees and we were averaging 30-35 decks in one single season. At that time the men were getting paid between $8 and $12 per hour and the average cost for a standard Deck was around $10.00 per sq. ft.

Today... almost 30 years later The decks have dropped to maybe 4 per season and there is only 2 of us building them. If you were going to specialize in just decks...Hook up with a landscape designer, a General Contractor and a Builder, they will be your backbone. The Hardest part about starting out is you have to work for nothing in order to get jobs then photos of your work and good references. Keep in mind I have built Hundreds of Decks in the past, but no matter how large my portfolio and all the good references I have the bottom line is always the cost, so going from a 98% closing rate in the 80's and 90's my closing rate today is around 40%. This is the Want business not the need business.

Dont put all your eggs in one basket, if your going to start a Deck business in todays economy, make sure you have something else on the side to fund your start up. In this business you can make thousands and lose it just as fast. Be smart, Be Patient and do every job as if it was your own home.

Hope this helps you.