Hi all
I m interested in getting a pergola and deck on my backyard about 6.2mtrs x 3.5mtrs. I live in Melbourne. My friend is helping me build one. Do you have any tips on how I can get both under 5k? The cheaper the better! The only requirenment is that the deck should be hard wood.
Can you recommend suppliers? Do you know of any places where I could get timber or even colorbond stuff for the pergola that I could recycle?
Thank you in advance for your tips.
Isn't metal more expensive? Most websites advised me wood is more cost effective?
I think it was a joke.
Friend under $5k?
Is that way too low?
If the deck will be attached to the house most councils usually require their approval.
Just make it free standing with steps from porch onto it.
That's a really good idea. I will see if that can be fit into the space available.
My friend did it, he built out of that ekodecking stuff from bunnings. Looks good and doesn't need oiling.
Yes I looked up the local council rules. As my friend is into building he will help me with that.
Best to be sure, some councils are very strict and there would be nothing worse than having to rip it down.
I think that 5k is going to be tight even for just materials only. You might need to settle for treated pine rather than something like merbau.
Where are you located? It's tough to suggest places to buy from without that information :-)
I m near sunshine.
Over capitalising?
Sunshine will be pushing $1M median houses soon.
I’d make the frame out of treated pine
And the hardwood decking I’d buy off eBay, is a few Melbourne based timber merchants on there.
I wouldn’t worry about merbau, just get cheap mixed hardwood should be able to pick it up around $2-3 a l/m
And hit it with some cutek 50
http://cutek.com.au/products_CD50.html
Sometimes pick up some cheap surplus colorbond on eBay too
https://www.ebay.com.au/i/253174875860
Thanks will look into it. Never considered eBay for material!
check gumtree and ebay for used/demolitioned pergolas/carports
deck - how about making it out of bluestone - i.e. solid deck. virtually 100% maintenance free.
Sawn bluestone is very very expensive. The rough cut stuff is cheaper but then your deck wouldnt be level and tables and chairs would never sit right.
rough cut is fine. you just need to select the correct bluestone for facing up. source : had a rough cut bluestone deck.
I looked up a few designs with bluestone. But I like the look of a wooden deck better..
Hmmm I'm actually about to do a deck and verandah same as you and VERY similar size! 6.8m x 3.8m.
For flat roof verandah and merbau decking I've had quotes for $14k, $17k and $10k. All done by someone else. Since mine's attaching to the house I need permits too, so that'll probably add another $2k or so as it'll involve getting plans drawn up and building surveyors involved. To make it a bit easier on yourself you can also purchase the original building plans for your house from your local council.
I'd like to build it myself as well, but I just don't have the time or experience, so i think I'm gonna go with getting someone to do it for me.
Good luck! Post some pics!
Wow! Steep! I will try and follow up with the final result. I might end up spending more after all! Can you put your pics too?
Shall do - but it'll probably be a while since I need to get permits etc etc. Obviously I'm going with the $10k quote :P
Also got a quote for a Solarspan verandah - that came out to $12k for JUST the verandah.
On all of these the deck ended up being about $6600 by itself. That's 140mm wide merbau decking screwed (not nailed) in to place
I think I might have to reassess and choose either deck or pergola. And instead of getting two half assed things get one good one done.
@Bargainhunter83: That might be a wise decision. I'd suggest the pergola now, as you can add a deck to it later on and ideally you want to have your shaded area ready to go before the full on summer sun hits
Maybe not a lot of you southerners have decks, or demand is lower than here in QLD. $10k For that size is CHEAP!
We've just finished our deck of comparable size. Got quotes for 65k, 60k and 50k…
Your state might have different structural requirements, like wind/hurricane/storm reinforcement etc that we don't have to worry about.
Whaaaaatttttt! What are these things made of?
At our rental property I recently replaced the shade cloth covered 2.4m square wooden pergola with brick walls on two adjacent sides. The cross beam joints had rotted.
Laundry
____ Dining Room
HH |
HH |
HH |
___0
Main beam
The main timber support beam and post and the support beams along the walls and from the wall to the main support beam were still OK though I reinforced the beam/post join with a large (300mm) flat angle iron.
I used two 2.4 * 1.2m aluminium pool fence panels as the support structure.
The panels run from the top of the beam above the laundry to the bottom of the inside of the main beam to give the required slope. A channel runs along the bottom of the inside of the main beam sloping towards the dining room where there is a downpipe attached to the wall (0 in diagram above).
I used a 100mm arm length * 30mm width * 3mm thick angle iron on each side of the support beams of the panels (the verticals of the H in the diagram above). They were attached to the wood using 2 hex head screws per angle iron. A bolt goes through the arms that come out from the beams. This allows the panels to slope down for runoff. The steel bolt was enclosed in a plastic tube where it goes through the aluminium arms to prevent dissimilar metal corrosion. Nylon washers prevent the steel washers touching the aluminium.
The polycarbonate sheets were attached to the panels using small diameter bolts. The same anti-corrosion measures described above were used.
The advantage of doing it this way was that I could attach the sheets to the fence panels on the ground. I was worried about how I was going to do this in situ in the air if I used an alternative method of construction such as timber cross beams. The panels could then be raised into position and attached at the required slope. The panels were bolted together as well as to the support beams.
I'd be surprised if you could get a deck and cover built for $5k without getting cheap/second hand materials. I built a 4x4m roof over our patio area for about $2k - no deck, basic materials (treated pine and polycarbonate) and all labour was mine.
Just got a quote for 5800 for Merbau deck and pergola. 6.8 x 3.9 ! Beauty!
That's pretty good one. Well done !! May I know the details as I am also looking for having one of similar size. I would like it for my investment property in Melbourne northern suburbs. Thanks for your help !
I am also planning to hire someone to build pergola/decking. May I know the details of the person who has given you the quote?
Hi can you share the details as am planning to get one done too
Hi! Sorry for the delayed reaction guys. But unfortunately I am not very happy with the work that was done on my deck. It was a bit of a dodgy job. He didnt dig out all the lawn properly and now i have grass sticking through. Also attention to detail was lacking. I dont think i will recommend this guy to anyone! :(
Thanks for the update and sorry to hear that. Did you ask the installer to rectify the issues ? Was any warranty on the work provided ? Also did you require any council approval ? I am planning mine but still working out the drainage issue for the pergola .
im interested in knowing this as well…
i've read that some people make uncovered/unroofed pergolas and just add their roofing on top later
Use as less wood as possible!