House project quoted $80,000+....did it myself for less than $20,000. Enjoy the progress pictures.

Sep 15, 2019 9:27 PM

DrManhattan89

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121336

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3315

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Before: Deck was falling apart. Time to start the project!

After: Almost finished. Pouring the concrete is one of the last things we have left to do.

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Compacting the type 5 gravel for the blocks

Over 6 inches of type 5

Placing the blocks

Placing the drainage pipe

First geogrid

One side done

No sides done

First cut for the door

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Took us almost 8 hours, but we got it done!

Framing the door

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Starting the deck

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Starting the floor

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Egress window

Dog tax

Looks like solid work my man! Did you pull permits as a home-builder or do you have your own contractor license? Either way it looks awesome

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Didja get permits?

6 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

It’s almost a double wide with a walkout...

6 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

I really hope that slope is away from the house. If not, well, congratulations on the new pool.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

So how many manhours went into this? Did you engage a structural engineer and pull permits? Looks like some codes were missed...

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Almost positive your dog is a Luck Dragon.

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Step 1. Know what you’re doing. Step 2. know what you’re doing. Step 3 check YouTube. Step 4. Have someone fix it for $60K

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Did it increase the value of the house by $20k?

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Great job nailing the door shut, my dad didn't when I was a kid and I accidentally kinda walked out the door when there was nothing left.

6 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

This happened to my cousin when they were repacking their patio/pool deck. Severely injured her ankle, she ended up needing 2 surgeries

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I got out of it with just the air punched out of me, but I was a kid and kids are like semi-indestructible.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hope you’re in a warm climate ‘cause now you have 20 feet of exterior wall with no frost protection around the footings...

6 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

But did you get a building permit? If not they might make you tear it out.

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Right. They need their extortion fees.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 4

I hope you knew what the hell you were doing. Would hate to be the next owner of this house and have to fix your work

6 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 6

I know the feeling,. The previous owner of my house messed up a lot of stuff trying to do things themselves

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Do you have a background in this kind of work, @op?

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Why the hell even get a quote if you can do that...

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

It took me a week and several attempts to put up a curtain rod.

6 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 0

Nice. You tried and got it done. Nothing like the feeling of sanctification of finishing something new.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not sure I'd have the balls to cut a big hole in my foundation.

6 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

You just gave to distribute load away from the hole.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

do you live in south? Frost depth of footings has now been changed. If you haven't poured concrete yet you can still place 2" rigid horiz. 2

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

otherwise you might get frost heave. just check local code.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Walkout basement? I can 'dig' it. Literally just came up with that.

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

PS cool job, I can also dig the discounted pricing.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It’s probably just perspective, but the gradient for the area under the deck makes it look like water would drain towards the house and pool

6 years ago | Likes 17 Dislikes 0

I should have checked the comments I pondered the same thing. I hope it is just a false perspective and it does drain away from the house.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I dont think it's perspective.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Yeah, how much labor time did you put into it, and what is your hourly pay + 30%?

6 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 1

His hourly pay is a deck, a walkout basement and an egress window. How much labor time do you put into your everyday life? Like cleaning?

6 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 10

The context is he saved 60k, putting up a deck is probably close to 40k in labor costs, then there's permits and design

6 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Yes exactly. He saved 60k. He did it himself, there is no labor cost. I don't pay myself to do my own work.

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 7

I'd like to introduce you to the concept of opportunity cost.

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Ok go for it.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

Bro. I am jealous.

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

v

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

v

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I don't think that's something I would have ever done.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That values your time at $0. How many hours did you put into it?

6 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 2

Well how the hell would he calculate his hr/wage on a job he’s employing himself to do? Do you just want to see his total hrs invested?

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No that values his time at a new deck, a walk out basement and an egress window. Which apparently is worth 80k

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

if he loves building, it's one thing. If hes taking time away from his family or job or sees it as a struggle, he needs to price for time

6 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

His free time is free. *with a few exceptions, do a i really need to list them people?

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 4

Even if his time is free (which it isn't) the time of the people who quoted him the job isn't. Which is why the quote was 80k

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

So free time isnt free? Unless someone is willing to pay you for that time it most certainly is free.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Time has an opportunity cost. I can assure you if you have any level of skill (as op clearly has) you can find someone to pay for your time.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He has time off when hes not working, what he chooses to do to enjoy himself is up to him. if he enjoys this, the labor is free. End of 1/2

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

the day he was able to get the job done for 60k less. what difference do the specifics make? he spent less money. Sure he can work more 2/3

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

hours if his job allows it, IF his job pays enough to be worth it, but this is all stuff i shouldnt have needed to say...

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Include progress descriptions next time so all of us future home-owners have an idea of how to do it! Awesome job though!

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

How does it drain? @OP

6 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

This is my house. My house is amazing. Give it a lick

6 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 1

Mmm it tastes just like creatin' ^-^

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Flip it over

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

How did you learn to do this?

6 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

internet

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Buy a shovel.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Excellent work. Now rent a pressure washer for 20 bucks and CLEAN YOUR GODDAMN SIDING YOU FILTHY HEATHEN.

6 years ago | Likes 1159 Dislikes 7

30 second cleaner from Big Box store does wonders, get the refill also, it doesn't go very far.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Doesn't even need to be a pressure washer. Hose-end attachment for fertilizer and a little dish soap. Way cheaper and doesn't risk damage.

6 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

for that siding the 1750 electric pressure washer would be perfect. harbor freight has them for like 199.

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Thank god you said it Jesus fucking Christ I want to claw my eyes out

6 years ago | Likes 168 Dislikes 2

Pressure washer and about 5 gallons of bleach once a year makes our house look nice

6 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

We don’t even use a pressure washer. Works with just the hose on our house.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Or just buy one because I can't imagine a life without having one any time I need it which is all too often.

6 years ago | Likes 57 Dislikes 0

Beat me to it.

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah I was thinking the same thing like he’s gonna have this nice ass deck w not the best background view lol

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Seeing so many photos with dirty siding gave me intense anxiety. Is this some new age 30+ character trait?

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

It must be, or maybe it's after a few years of home ownership.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That’s probably it - just finished our first year in our house. There’s always a little something to do!

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

6 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 2

Your flash hurts my eyes. v

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Thank you

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I kept thinking, "surely, they'll wash the house at some point." Should have graded around entire house, siding is too close to ground.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I thought imgur was supposed to be a place of positive encouragement.

6 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 4

I'm positive that house needs it's siding washed.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It appears as though you know what you're doing

6 years ago | Likes 186 Dislikes 1

I sure as shit hope so, I'd be comfortable doing most household modifications but I wouldn't mess with concrete.

6 years ago | Likes 43 Dislikes 0

I'd rather mess with concrete than cutting a hole in the FOUNDATION to put in a door...

6 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 0

Where's the foundation inspection person?

6 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 1

Permit and building inspector, he would pass inspection.

6 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

yah it'd be funny to get his reaction

6 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

@AlphaStructural

6 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 0

@AlphaStructural Beetlejuicing him because I'd like to see his response too.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You effectively de-graded the land slope from your house. Did you address the slope for your new patio? What about the foundation? 1/

6 years ago | Likes 79 Dislikes 2

it slopes away just fine, and the foundation is better off without the dirt. The footing was untouched.

6 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

If the blocks are set level you can see the slope. The gravel climbs almost a half a block from one end to the other.

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Did you check for slope and drainage? Did you have a structural engineer check the stability without the dirt? Re-seal the concrete? 2/2

6 years ago | Likes 67 Dislikes 3

I thought imgur was supposed to be a place of positive encouragement. How about you chill?

6 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 40

6 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

He doesn't need a soil study, and he doesn't need to seal if no dirt is against it. Really only needs to just paint it.

6 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

yeah just eye-balling it from the pics, the ground now slopes towards the foundation.

6 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 3

Definitely graded away, will drain just fine.

6 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

See I was thinking that too but I'm open to that being a trick of the lens. I really hope we're wrong or OP just fucked up his home.

6 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 0

Im getting a feeling this was not legally done. You need city inspector and architect drawing and engi to confirm all this. Unless 1/2

6 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

2/2 its lax in US. Also, op hasnt posted anything so Ima guess its a repost.

6 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0