There comes a time when every deck reaches the end of its days. It’s no longer a source of joy but a bit of an eyesore or even a safety concern (and a to-do). You’re ready to say goodbye and excited for something new.
When this happens, homeowners often ask us if they can be the ones to demo their existing deck to reduce costs. We completely understand; a new deck is not a small investment, after all.
DIY Demo
So is a DIY demo a possibility when you work with us? Absolutely! We like to collaborate with homeowners and develop a custom game plan that works for them.
And if we’re being honest, taking a sharpened reciprocating saw to your deck can also be a great way to take out some frustration. Especially if your deck has been giving you a hard time with all the maintenance, rotting boards, etc. Plus, we can’t forget about the fun factor; you could even invite some friends over to help.
But there’s also a lot to consider when it comes to safety. You’ll be working with saws and other demo tools, so don’t forget your safety glasses, gloves, and close-toed shoes! So while you can certainly handle the demo, feel free to rely on us if you aren’t feeling up to it.
Time to Complete
If you’re considering handling the demo, I’m sure you’ve also wondered about the time it will take, so we’ll give you an idea. Typically, it takes a crew of two carpenters about two hours to two days to demo a deck, depending on its size and complexity. Here are a few factors that will affect the total time:
- The height of the deck
- Railings
- Built-in benches
- Deck skirting or lattice
- Pergolas
- Roofing
- Windows
- How the deck was built (footings & framing)
Savings
Alright, let’s talk savings (that’s why you’re reading this, right?). On average, a DIY demo of a 350 square foot deck that’s a few feet off the ground will save you between $1,000-$2,000. A few things come into play here that we can walk you through during our proposal.
But these savings include the cost of renting dumpsters, hauling them away, and the dump fee. If you’d like to do the demo and have us haul away the debris, we can certainly do that too! However, the cost savings would be a bit less.
The Bottom Line
We want to work with you in whatever capacity works best. So if you’re itching to get your hands dirty and handle the demo of your old deck, we say go for it! And we’ll even haul away the junk if you want to skip that step (because that’s not the fun part, is it?).
Or, if you’re more comfortable with us managing it, we’ll gladly get started ASAP!
What Next?
Custom Deck Creations designs and builds composite decks for clients across Southeast Michigan. We’ll work with you on the project to create the perfect deck for you that’s within your budget. And if you’re feeling ambitious, you can take on the demo of your old deck to save on costs.
When you’re ready to get started, please get in touch, and we’ll give you a free over-the-phone estimate. If you’d like some inspiration, feel free to check out our most recent builds.
Did you enjoy this post? Share it with a friend in the area whose considering building a deck! Want to keep reading? Check out these posts next:
