Any Money in Fence/Deck Installing?

Lot of money building a fence. Basically double the materials and you can price any fence out. But the problem is there aren’t enough steady fences to make a living.

Yeah, you might have to supplement the fencing and deck work with something like deliveries of materials and appliances to undercut the appliance stores or box stores and move furniture, etc.

I need a deck, and some steps built. Where you at, OP?

Yes. Stupid money. Double material price then factor in labor. That's a very competitive bid. Rough carpenters framing houses can't touch the profit per square foot building decks and fences as opposed to framing a house. A good carpenter who knows how to lead a crew shouldn't have any problem clearing $1000 profit per day. I did it for years.

Pergolas too!

To be clear, when I was building decks and fences Vinyl, Trex, and other composites were priced much higher. Composites were fairly new to the market at the time. It all depends on the type of system you're working with. Adjust labor accordingly.

Would you be able to do an installation solo or would you need a helper or helpers for all around fence and deck installation?

If you don't know this already.....keep looking. Good luck OP.

You need help, or you'll be burned out in no time. I usually worked with two other people. A $20 an hour carpenter and a laborer. Labor prices are much higher these days though. After you train a two man crew how to do the work the way you'd do it, you should be able to walk away and expand in other ways. Take care of your crew and they'll likely take care of you. Same profit margin.

Sure there is if you're good and know how to sell your work, unfortunately not from me and my wife though as we are dyi folks. We never ever pay to have anything done we can do ourselves, just the way it is.

But seriously a good deck builder in a good market can do well. The last one we built out of Alaskan Yellow Cedar and we love it.

^^^This

Some things you can work alone doing but at times you have to have more than one set of hands to do, start small if you can and especially if you don't have much carpentry experience. Start with garden boxes and dog houses, then work your way up.

Cedar is beautiful. Eastern Red is my favorite. I've built many cedar decks and fences. Too soft for a deck though. A dog will tear up the surface in three months and it must be maintained every year. Unless you like the weathered grey look.

You will need help.
You will also need a hammer.
And a level.
And a tape measure.
And a few other things.

Boss always told me to never tell the clients that we simply bought all supplies from the local big box hardware store. Me and another helper, and the owner is all it took. A large panel van to haul lumber/chainlink was the only large purchase up front. If tools larger than cordless drills were needed they were rented for the day.

That dude could make ends meet working 5-10 days a month. He would have been very wealthy had we worked every day.

A good builder is definitely not buying the bulk of their material from Depot or Lowes.

I can hit this AYC with a hammer and not leave a dent, it's hard as fuck. Plus we use the best stain/sealer available, it's yellow and looks perfect. Fuck those composite decks that get so hot you can't walk on them, I like real wood.

A good way to get work building decks is to stop off at some stores that sell above ground pools and give them your cards.

Hell, get into installing the above ground pools and build the decks,too! In season, you can make $1000 per pool install on average and two guys can install one in a day.

I'm a real wood guy myself. To be honest I have never worked with AYC. I've worked with some beautiful exotics. Brazilian Ipe is my favorite.

You can't just start "building decks"
License
Bond
Insurance

Understanding local building codes so your "built deck"
passes inspection and will not fall collapse 5 years later when the owner throws a Fourth of July bbq.

still,

good luck

and hire two people

That goes without say.

Im going into this with no experience in fence installing or deck installing. Starting work for a small Fence and Deck company and basically want to know if this field is something I would be able to branch off and one day make my own business out of. Seems alot of people have posted that it can be profitable.

But again I have no experience in this field other than being able to read a tape measure and using hand tools.

Last Edited by Archaic Smile on 12/02/2019 05:13 PM

Decks and fences are ez cheese and basic carpentry skills are all that's required. If you're just starting out this is the best combination IMHO. I suggest you learn as much as you can from a good deck / fence builder while studying for Residential Builder's License. Study as many deck designs online as you can and experiment with drawing your own design. Your carpentry skills are next to your ability to design a nice and functional outdoor entertainment space. There are many online design programs that can help you with creative inspiration. Be a good student and go on job bids with your boss if possible.

No, because you can do it YOURSELF and SAVE money, no labor costs.

I’m seriously thinking of starting a handyman business myself.
Decks and fences may not be in the cards however.
I don’t want to hire/rely on anyone.

What sort of jobs would you take or do?

Remodels, minor plumbing and electrical, drywall repair, framing...
I wouldn’t take on anything that I couldn’t confidently complete.

yes. find the best ONLY DECKS builder in your area, only higher end decks, like $75,000 minimum, promote his work direct and online for a percentage of the contracts you get him.

most states require that you are "licensed and bonded" to use a hammer and nail to do anything.

I have a friend that works for the state, busting guys on facebOOk / craigsIist, that advertise as handyman, remodel, building projects and similar