Deck replacement recommendations

[lakewinnie]

I am looking to have an existing deck replaced on my home in Moultonborough. I would appreciate any recommendations.
Thanks!

[loonguy]

I am also investigating a deck replacement. I will let you know how it goes.

[Winilyme]

Make that three of us. I haven’t begun researching yet but will begin doing so soon with an eye toward having work done next year. I’ll be looking into both decking and recommended contractors. I’m in Meredith. I do know I’ll be planning to go with composite vs our current wood decking. We’ve been happy with our Trex deck in CT - installed five years ago but there are so many options and I believe there are many worthy competitors (and perhaps more cost-effective ones) to Trex now.

Greatly appreciate any feedback from fellow forum members.

[John Mercier]

The local yards should have names of contractors for each city/town.

Contractors tend to have favored brands.

Lots of changes in decking in the last few weeks.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Lots of changes in decking in the last few weeks.

What do you mean by this, John?

[John Mercier]

All of the manufacturers have added new items to their line-ups.

We get a preview during Pro Sales training, but usually the product is forthcoming but not yet available.

This time of year, a lot of those are available... because they had months to bring the stock in.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

All of the manufacturers have added new items to their line-ups.

We get a preview during Pro Sales training, but usually the product is forthcoming but not yet available.

This time of year, a lot of those are available... because they had months to bring the stock in.

Thanks. Did any of those new items strike you as particularly noteworthy? Any significant new developments?

[John Mercier]

Both Trex and Timbertech have made their decking cooler, more scratch resistant, better traction, and expanded the color choices.

Trex is offering more in the value range of its program, and Timbertech more in its higher end.

Really noticeable in the rail options.

[John Mercier]

Simpson, Trex, and Timbertech all have deck planner sites.
It really lets you get a feel for the design and helps envision the project in a way that the samples cannot.

We use the Simpson a lot because it produces permit grade plans.

[MeredithMan]

We just did a new 14 X 18 deck at the place in Bedford. Since it's not a "forever" home, we went with pretty basic components...Trex "Budget" grade decking; fairly generic white vinyl rails. PT carrying beams/joists wrapped in vinyl on the outside; mesh screen and latticework underneath.

I know this won't really help the folks who are looking for contractor recommendations since this is an hour from the lake but I thought I would put up a couple pix of it to give you perhaps a design idea or two.

[John Mercier]

Looks like Pebble Grey Select.
Very popular color.

They have a new Pebble Beach Enhanced Basic same color.

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Looks like Pebble Grey Select.
Very popular color.

They have a new Pebble Beach Enhanced Basic same color.

Spot on, sir! Pebble grey it is!

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

We just did a new 14 X 18 deck at the place in Bedford. Since it's not a "forever" home, we went with pretty basic components...Trex "Budget" grade decking; fairly generic white vinyl rails. PT carrying beams/joists wrapped in vinyl on the outside; mesh screen and latticework underneath.

I know this won't really help the folks who are looking for contractor recommendations since this is an hour from the lake but I thought I would put up a couple pix of it to give you perhaps a design idea or two.

Looks great!

[Biggd]

I can't believe the cost of decks now. My neighbor here in Ma, just had a 16X12 deck done similar to the one above but higher with a longer stair case, $35K.

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

Looks great!

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I can't believe the cost of decks now. My neighbor here in Ma, just had a 16X12 deck done similar to the one above but higher with a longer stair case, $35K.

...and that's why we went with the "budget grade" Trex and simple railings. Even with the basic choices, the cost was very similar to your neighbor's.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by Biggd

I can't believe the cost of decks now. My neighbor here in Ma, just had a 16X12 deck done similar to the one above but higher with a longer stair case, $35K.

We experienced the same sticker shock when replacing our deck in CT five years ago. We replaced a former redwood deck built in 1995. I probably could have gotten another 20 years out of it if I wanted to deal with the annual maintenance (which I was tired of). We replaced with Trex Transcend decking and Signature railing - $41K for about 550 SF. No stairs. Vinyl shiplap trim around the substructure.

Part of our cost was having to completely demo and rebuild the supporting substructure to meet the warranty requirements of Trex. If I replaced with PT decking, that wouldn't have been an issue. Also, it's clear that composite decking still commands a significant premium price even after all these years and the establishment of so many competing brands.

Still, nothing beats a virtually maintenance-free deck other than annual pressure washing.

[John Mercier]

Against PT, there is a premium. The other wood options, not so much.

Today budget grade for the deck in the picture would be Pebble Beach Enhanced Basic - about half the price of the Pebble Select - and Trex T-rail.

You give up a bit in the warranty (35 to 25), but get the heat mitigation.

[lakewinnie]

Thanks all for responding to this thread.

Sorry if I was not clear with my original question, but does anyone have any specific contractors that they could recommend?

[John Mercier]

Without knowing the scope of the project...

Stephen's Landscaping.

[lakewinnie]

Scope of project - a 24 x 10 raised, attached deck

[John Mercier]

Pretty sure Stephen's would do that.

Not sure if any of the Trex Pro's would travel up from the coast.

I can check with the Meredith store and see what they have for contractors on their list.

[John Mercier]

I reached out to Dan Downing at Lavalleys - Meredith.
He hasn't replied to me yet.
I think he may have taken the holiday off, and had a lot to do today to catch up.

Hopefully he will have some more names for us soon.

[John Mercier]

He got back to me with a list.

Trust Building 603-381-4676
Lake Life Elite Builders 781-844-4886
Interlakes Builders 603-344-7963
Greg Swanson 603-860-7188
Richard Stevens 603-630-5756
Black Bear Property Care 603-409-7762
Zack Lesley 603-630-4106

Sorry, if he made it more confusing with such a long list.
Maybe others on the forum may have had some work done by these outfits and be able to give a better recommendation to narrow it down.

[lakewinnie]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

He got back to me with a list.

Trust Building 603-381-4676
Lake Life Elite Builders 781-844-4886
Interlakes Builders 603-344-7963
Greg Swanson 603-860-7188
Richard Stevens 603-630-5756
Black Bear Property Care 603-409-7762
Zack Lesley 603-630-4106

Sorry, if he made it more confusing with such a long list.
Maybe others on the forum may have had some work done by these outfits and be able to give a better recommendation to narrow it down.

Thank you. John - I appreciate it!

[Winilyme]

Does anyone have experience (positive or negative) with any of the deck builders noted by John above? Or, any others that you've worked with?

[MeredithMan]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

Does anyone have experience (positive or negative) with any of the deck builders noted by John above? Or, any others that you've worked with?

I have experience with his first recommendation, Stephens Landscaping (construction crew). They replaced a number of mahogany deck boards, stained the decking and railings, and installed an under-deck Zip-it system, which creates a finished ceiling look under the deck, (we have a patio area under the deck). They did an excellent job. I have a post in this section from a couple years ago that has some pix of the finished project. Note that they are not for the budget-conscious, but you get what you pay for, and they do excellent work and their people are professional and friendly.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

I have experience with his first recommendation, Stephens Landscaping (construction crew). They replaced a number of mahogany deck boards, stained the decking and railings, and installed an under-deck Zip-it system, which creates a finished ceiling look under the deck, (we have a patio area under the deck). They did an excellent job. I have a post in this section from a couple years ago that has some pix of the finished project. Note that they are not for the budget-conscious, but you get what you pay for, and they do excellent work and their people are professional and friendly.

Yes...I remember that thread.

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...0&postcount=10