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| Neighbor measuring for deck |
Spring is here and so is the season to add a fence or deck! It seems like everywhere I turn, someone is adding one or both to their home. It is nice to see all the different styles that people decide on and how it enhances the look of the yard.
As you know, we have a small little backyard (not uncommon for our area), but we knew right away we needed and wanted to add a fence. After getting a few quotes, we have our guy. I should also note that we are pretty restricted as to what type of fence we can install. According to our HOA documents, we have to install the white vinyl fence and no wood is allowed. It's a restriction based off where we are located within the community. I thought vinyl would be cheaper...ha...fooled me again. Since starting this fence process, I have learned a lot. Both, wood and vinyl, come with their own set of pros and cons. Vinyl is less maintenance in the long run but there are surely more options with wood. Be sure to get what is best for your needs and wants.
Sidebar: If you live in a townhome, go ask your neighbors if they too would like a fence. Most companies will give you a discount if they can do more than one fence at a time. This way, you can save a few bucks by sharing the cost of connecting fences. If you like discounts like I like discounts, this pointer will be your friend!!! Our example of cost savings is as follows: our connecting fence is 18ft long. Instead of us paying the full cost of 18ft, we are paying for 9ft and my neighbor is paying for the other 9ft. If you have to share a fence anyways, why not share the fees too right?
The good thing about the guy we decided to go with is he had recently quoted my neighbor a few days prior to us calling him out. This was great! The fence guy and I went over to my neighbor's home and had a great conversation about getting this work done. It worked out for both of us and I can't wait to see the finished product. We have some travel coming up soon, but once completed, I will update you.
My neighbor will also be getting a deck installed, but there are lots of options that we have not yet discussed. I am sure this will be a future project for us, but likely not this season. So far we are looking at deck quotes in the $12K-$13K range. whew... Perhaps once the BBQ season pass, I can get a nicer quote.
Are you all thinking about adding a deck or fence? If so, what are your thoughts on vinyl vs. wood? If you have already added one or both of these, what has been your experience?
xoxo,
Eboni
Ouch! Thats so expensive. Luckily your neighbor can cover some of the cost, good move. Do you remember how much NV was charging to add in a fence/deck? In our community they are required by the developer to include both options.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what the fence cost would have been but the deck was about the same as other quotes we are getting. The only difference with going with someone outside of the builder is it would allow more options to choose from. We thought about adding the deck so it could be rolled into our total cost, but the deck size was not as large as we would have liked.
DeleteThat is pretty cool that your community will have those already installed for you all! Very cool!!! That is one cost (a huge cost) that you don't have to worry with right? :-)
It's definitely a relief. The market in NOVA is so competitive, so they can get away with adding less. The positive part is you'll be able to customize. I would have liked to have stairs going down into the yard. Can't wait to see what you guys decide on.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm that's a good point. Again, I don't know much about this area but can you not add stairs afterwards? Not saying it would be easy, but is it a no-go?
DeleteI always joke about "the killer" coming up the stairs from the backyard to get me. Too many Lifetime movies I guess! HAHAHA
You probably can but I'm imagining the cost to retrofit a set of stairs is going to be high. We also have a few other high budget projects that are more of a priority right now. Good point about the killer coming up the stairs, lol.
ReplyDeleteOh ok! Makes sense! I'm excited to see what type of projects you all have in the works! I am sure they will be awesome!
DeleteWow 12k for deck, you can do it yourself for at least half the price. Lowes has this great deck building tool that will price everything out for you and tell you want you need to buy and how to put it together and help you meet code in your area, and draw you plans for your permits. We will be going with pvc or composite, I like the idea of no maintenance, and no splitters or nails holes. :) you can hide the nails with a special bracket
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lowes.com/cd_Deck+Designer+Planner_733683095_
Check it out
Awesome Page! Thank you so much for this info. I will surely be checking out this option. I agree with the idea of no maintenance, being splitter free and hiding nails! I am following your blog now and I am looking forward to your ground-breaking! Congrats on the new home and sale of the condo!!! Can't wait to see your place come together!
DeleteHow crazy expensive are fences! When we got our quotes I was cringing and I cried a little when I wrote the check! It's funny though because the guy who did our fence definitely gave us too good of a deal. By the time he was half done he admitted he grossly under estimated the job so we got lucky! Fencing is worth every single penny though especially since you have a dog. Our HOA is really restrictive too. We can only have a 4 ft vinyl privacy fence (only one style of privacy fence), but vinyl is so low maintenance that we would have gone that route anyway (No way was I painting/treating a wood fence every few years - no thank you).
ReplyDeleteWe had our deck built by Ryan Homes after that whole lot debacle we had with them (you might remember that) so we got a really really good deal on ours. We have friends though that were quoted $10,000-$20,000 for a two layer wood deck so your quotes sounds pretty normal (depending on materials/size). Isn't it crazy how you become an expert on the weirdest stuff once you have a house? I know more about fencing and decking than I ever thought I'd know.
You are too funny! Do you have any extra tissues I can borrow, because I am sure I will be crying too!!! This is great to hear that you love the low maintenance aspect of the vinyl. Taking a hose to it every once in a while is much easier than treating some wood right? LOL
DeleteHa! I do remember your battle with the lot! And now that you mention it, I remember that awesome deal!!! You can't beat that with a stick!
Yes, I find myself talking to others like I really know what I'm talking about. To myself, I'm thinking "girl, you just learned that two months ago"!!! HAHAHA