Question on deck build sitting on ground

[LouNY]

Sounds good enjoy

 

[2manyrocks]

I will be waiting to see how the realtor lists this custom upgrade in the description of the property when it hits the market.

 

[Sigarms]

I will be waiting to see how the realtor lists this custom upgrade in the description of the property when it hits the market.

I don’t see it as being a custom upgrade, but updating an existing deck.

Given what we paid for the house in 2005 (and land), I understand we could get more money if we spent more money on the deck, but I highly doubt we won’t be pleasantly surprised if we sold the house as is right now even if we didn’t do any work to it (including the previous 2 bathrooms).

We just enjoy more time sitting at the outdoor table in the front yard for any gatherings.

The people interested in the home will most likely be more interested in the land. If they don’t want all 40 acres or so, will probably subdivide and keep the 20 behind the creek to keep for ourselves

Keep in mind, we aren’t looking at moving for at least another 5-10 years.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Just an idea...my neighbor years ago did a patio "mix", part concrete part decorative stone. Most is concrete with plant boxes on the stone part. Maybe where pipe is could be stone? Neighbor's turned out nice, better than all concrete.

 

[1Mech]

What if he wants a target at ground level to see if he can p on the bullseye from the upper deck?

Ahh, the joys of country living!!

 

[Sigarms]

If you're really worried about the water line, move it now. I wouldn't. I'd just pour a concrete pad and be done with messing with that area. It's probably the only thing that a buyer will see and not hate or want to use as an excuse to offer less for the house.

The guy who is doing the job basically said the same thing you did. I do value your opinion and realize you have no dog in this fight. And yes, is graded away from the house.

 

[2manyrocks]

Much improved.

 

[EddieWalker]

The concrete finishers did a very nice job!!!! What ever it cost you, it was money well spent.

 

[Sigarms]

The concrete finishers did a very nice job!!!! What ever it cost you, it was money well spent.

The guy who got the job came reccomended by a friend with a another HVAC company. The deck with cement was included in the price, and honestly it was actually lower than some guys who would only go back with wood, so at the end of the day, it became a no brainer. However, it was nicely done and very impressed with the work (they were there longer than I thought they would be going over that cement).

One last question (to everyone for that matter). See below. Originally the top deck did not have stairs. I added them in a couple of years later after we bought the house with a guy who I hired for the brains on cutting for replacing wood (BIG mistake LOL). End of the day, we never use those stairs, but being on the third floor, it does make a nice fire escape (particularly since we knew we'd be getting into fostering and any kids would sleep upstairs with us).

Problem is, you always end up having to duck going up or down with the overhang SEE GREEN LINE (doors to the living room are to the right you can't see). Guy redoing the deck wants to narrow it so the end is under the "B" (directly over the second column). He is then going to extend the deck further out to the end of the railing of the 1st floor deck.

The idea was by narrowing the top deck, with stairs, you would have enough head clearance. Problem now is by doing this, the stairs from the top deck will be directly infront of the kitchen window which my wife does not like.

Looking at the deck from the image, we did discuss actually extending the deck out to the left, but it would require a lot more wood (and money) and the removal of a tree that my wife wasn't to keen about.

What we were thinking about is just a gate up on the top deck, and then basically a wooden ladder that you could use just in case of a fire emergency. Could look tacky for my wife, not certain. Thing is, when we bought the place, as mentioned, that top deck didn't even have any stairs to begin with. Heck, worse case, I could always use a rope ladder LOL

 

[Minsid]

I'd just lose those stairs, they look too steep to keep and you don't seem to have another place for them. In addition they eat alot of deck space below.

You talk about a fire exit, good thinking but may I present another possibility of foster children sneaking out the deck entrance?