Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Apex air duct cleaning offers bothcommercial and residential in Jersey City and Hoboken, as well as throughout central, north, and south New Jersey.

Tired of Dusting?

Ever wonder why your house is just as dusty as the day before?

Ever wonder what lurks inside of your airducts?

The air inside of your home can be dirtier than the outside air. This is what you and your family breath every day when your ducts are dirty.

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NADCA Air Duct Cleaning Videos

Energy Savings NADCA

Dirty Airducts?

Indoor Air Quality

The air ducts in your home act as your lungs do for your body. Its purpose is to filter and recirculate air through out your home. However, once the system becomes dirty, it will recirculate dirty air. It is important to keep your air system in good shape, regular cleanings and use a good filter.

Just moved into a new home and thinking of getting your ducts cleaned?

70%-80% of dust in your home is made up of human skin. Do you really want your family breathing in your past owners pet dander, skin or other debris?

Have one of our certified duct cleaning technicians over to clean your homes duct system and make it fresh and new.

Apex Appliance & Air Duct Cleaning is New Jerseys Air Duct Cleaning and Source Removal experts. We provide a very extensive air duct cleaning practices to ensure that our homeowners ductwork is clean and dirt free.

Though you may not be aware of it, your dirty air ducts could be passing dust, dirt, dead insects, animal hair, dander, pollen, paper dust, dead skin, cigarette tar, smoke, asbestos, fungus spores, pathogens and bacterial colonies. These things can be harmful to your health Learn more about why you should clean your air ducts, as well as the problem of indoor air pollution.

There are two different methods of duct cleaning; the right one and the wrong one.Many air duct cleaning service companies advertise $99 Total Home Air Duct Cleaning which you are right it is simply too good to be true. Heres the deal . . . no air duct cleaning can be done properly for $99 or in many cases even $299.

The Environmental Protection Agency says thatduct cleaning services typically range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contaminationand type of duct material.

Important Questions to Ask Prior to Scheduling Duct Cleaning Service from Any Company:

Apex Appliance & Air Duct Cleaning of New Jersey confidently answers, YES to completing all correct air duct cleaning methods listed. Simply put, we are very thorough when it comes to air duct cleaning service. Providing service that covers all points is the only correct way to properly clean air ducts. We follow all of the NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaning Association) guidelines for a professional result.

Correctly performed whole house air duct cleaning service may cost between $299-$799. Final price is determined by the size of home, if the property is a single or two story home, how many systems need to be cleaned and location of the ductwork will determine the pricing. Call for a no obligation free in home estimate. I feel so sure you will be satisfied I will offer my professional evaluation for free.

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Air Duct Cleaning NJ | Dryer Vent Cleaning Central New Jersey

"I have been extremely impressed with Haley Custom Homes. As I meet each week with Dan and his team, I always walk away confident that not only am I getting a very high quality home, but one that every detail is discussed and analyzed, as if it was a home that they were building for themselves. One very large attraction to Haley Custom Homes was that they said they could build it 33% faster than their competitors, with superior quality because of Haley's Accelerated Precision Building System". We were in the house a month earlier than scheduled, YES that is correct. This is my third time building a customer home and I have never beenmore satisfied."Michael and Jane McDonald

We worked with Haley Custom Homes on an extensive remodel in the Country Club neighborhood. Dan is a pleasure to work with. Communication was excellent throughout the entire project. Travis and Loren were wonderful to work with as well. They went above and beyond. Always available and very responsive. The attention to detail was excellent. Extremely happy with the final result. Would love to work with the team again."Traci and Tom Gendron

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Haley Custom Homes - Luxury Custom Home Builders Denver CO

Laminate Flooring Installation Cost

The average cost to install laminate flooring is between $1,411 and $3,395 with most homeowners paying around $2,352 for professional installation. Laminate flooring installation costs $3 to $8 per square foot including labor and materials. Your final price will depend on the size of your floor, materials selected, and labor costs.

The average cost to install laminate flooring is $3 to $8 per square foot including labor and materials. For the laminate flooring only, prices range from $0.68 to $2.59 per square foot. In addition to the upfront cost of the flooring, other factors include subfloor prep and additional features such as molding and baseboards. Costs can also go higher if the flooring has a pattern that requires additional installation labor.

Laminate flooring starts at $0.68 per square foot for Acacia, Cheery, Beech, and Maple woods. For Elm and Hickory, you can expect to pay around $1.60 per square foot.

Laminate flooring costs vary based on the features of the rather than the look. For example, typical scratch resistant laminate floors cost $0.68 per square foot, while noise and water resistant types range from $1.39 to $2.79 per square foot.

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Laminate flooring installation in a 330 square foot living room costs between $990 and $2,640 with most homeowners spending about $1,815 when professionally installed. Your final rate will depend on the room size and labor costs to install. The cost of laying laminate flooring is $3 to $8 per square foot, but a commercial level floor with radiant heating underneath can cost up to three times that.

The cost to install laminate flooring in a 15x15 (225 SF) bedroom is $1,223 on average. The following is an example of prices using Pergo laminate flooring with underlayment at $3.46 per square foot and $1 per linear foot for quarter round and T-molding, plus $1.72 per square foot for labor.

The average labor cost to install laminate flooring is $1.72 per square foot. For example, labor costs about $568 to install laminate in a 330 square foot living room. With the average cost of installation costing $3 to $8 per square foot total, labor costs make up anywhere from 20% to 50% of your final cost.

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You may need a carpenter to remove old subflooring which costs an average of $70 per hour. Most carpenters will be able to remove the subfloor in a 200 square foot area in about a day at the cost of $400 to $550.

Removing carpet costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot as long as there is no repair work needed on the concrete below. Carpet usually wont make for an acceptable subfloor. If its glued to the concrete, you might damage the concrete floor, which will then need to be patched. Youll also need to scrape any glue off the floor. Then youll need to level and prep the subfloor, which must be flat/level within 3/16 from one end of a 10 room to the other. Sand or patch the subfloor to get this.

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Laminate flooring costs $1 to $5 per square foot or $2 to $8 per square foot installed. Hardwood flooring costs $5 to $20 per square foot or $12 to $20 per square foot installed, depending on the availability of the wood you want. Common to both wood flooring and hardwood flooring are the facts that both engineered wood and real wood can warp, both can grow mold, and both can be used with radiant heat. Other than that, though, they can vary considerably.

The average cost to install new carpeting is between $2 and $4 per square foot, compared to laminate flooring which costs an average of $3 to $8 per square foot installed. The cost to carpet a 225 SF room is around $634, while laminate in the same room would cost $1,223. Compare laminate to other flooring costs in our cost guide.

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While the pros of laminate floors are mentioned in the table above, the cons are as follows:

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Baseboards will cost about $5.50 to install professionally per piece, while quarter round installation costs about $11 per piece. If you have removed your trim and dont want it back, you might need to install quarter round or other moldings to bring a more seamless look to where the new flooring meets the wall, different flooring, or stairs.

Labor to install laminate flooring on stairs costs from $45 to $125 per step. Also, a flush stairnose costs between $40$76 each for a 78 length while a step nose costs between $18$96 each for a 78 length.

The cost to remove and reinstall your baseboards is about $75 each time, for a total of $150. The installation work can go much faster if the baseboards have been removed in advance. If your trim no longer matches your new floor, expect to pay about $5.50$9/LF to have it replaced and/or $1.50/SF to paint it a new color.

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The best laminate flooring brands sold by Home Depot and Lowes are as follows:

Materials are prorated, but that amount is only partially based on depreciation. Uniclic and Unilink warranty periods are both pro rata 33 years for flooring and 25 years for accessories. Other manufacturers vary their warranties from 5 years to a lifetime, covering things like defective planks, fading, staining, and expected wear. Many things can void the warranty:

If your flooring arrives in poor condition, send it back immediately, or you will not be refunded for it.

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Laminate flooring is perhaps the most popular choice for those who want the look of natural wood on their floors for half the price at $0.70 to $4.50/SF. With a multitude of looks and colors to choose from, and the benefits of quick installation, durability, and no more carpet stains, its a no-brainer. Originally created as a product to simulate the look and feel of wood, newer products on the market also create the look and texture of stone floors. Typically, each finish has a different installation cost.

Some of the more frequently chosen textures include:

Finished laminate averages around $2/SF. No indented texture is applied. Instead, it matches the look and feel of a varnished piece of wood. With low gloss being the most popular, the three main finishes are called:

Choose from:

Underlayment is either built-in or separate to the flooring planks you buy. It can cost about $0.28/SF on the low end to $0.60 on the high end. Its a recommended addition as it:

Dont add a moisture barrier over an existing wood floor, because it will trap moisture and damage the subfloor. Use a foam underlayment instead, or whatever is recommended by the manufacturer of the flooring you buy. Keep in mind that underlayment is also the word for thin plywood or fiberboard, which could already be on the planks, but the separate kind usually comes in rolls of polyethylene foam, heavy foam, or felt. If youre buying underlayment roll, get the roll as long as your room to avoid breaks.

When looking at the thickness measurements of laminate flooring, keep in mind that its measured from top to bottom of the plank, no matter if the underlay is included or not. Even then, the thickness alone wont tell you if you are buying quality flooring or not. What really counts is what the core is made up of and what the durable top layer consists of. Look for the term HDFhigh-density fiberto ensure a floor of quality. Most planks come in 79 mm of thickness.

Benefits of Thicker Floors

Also important to take into consideration is the floorings AC rating. Use it to check your expected usage, or foot traffic, against what the floor was built to withstand. An impartial third party has set the standard for the five different categories of use and durability. Most sellers will not even stock AC1/2-rated flooring, hence the lack of pricing for those.

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Youll need to level the subfloor before installing the Pergo moisture barrier and underlayment. Following the tongue-and-groove method, keep planks parallel to the main view of the room. Make sure room is left for expansion: 1/81/4 based on the manufacturers requirements. If this isnt done, the flooring can buckle or separate at the joints. Then reinstall baseboards, quarter rounds, and T-molding, and the flush stairnose and step nose on stairs.

It depends on the type of flooring you use. If its tongue-and-groove flooring, most homeowners have found installing laminate flooring a moderately difficult learning experience as long as they had the right tools to finish it out.

Carpet is cheaper to install at $2 per square foot while laminate flooring is double at $4 per square foot installed.

A professional can usually lay 100 square feet of laminate flooring in five hours. At an average labor cost of $1.72 per square foot, a 330 square foot living room can be installed in 2 days and cost $567 for labor.

Take steps to avoid scuffing by placing mats by entry doors and installing furniture protectors. Wipe up water quickly and dont use a steam cleaner on it. Damp mop, if necessary, with as little water as possible. Dont use cleaning solutions that leave waxy buildups or that are formulated for tile floors. They leave laminate flooring looking soapy and dull. A mild vinegar solution can work well. Also, avoid scouring powder or steel wool.

No, laminate cant be installed over an uneven subfloor because the flooring needs a flat surface to be able to sit correctly without buckling. Youll have to level or sand the subfloor first.

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2019 Laminate Flooring Installation Costs + Prices Per ...

After purchasing $135 of inlaid flooring I asked how much they would get to install it. I was told $1.50 a Square Ft. and if it needed underlayment it would be an additional $1.75 a SF. I paid them the $35 refundable estimate they had a man come out and he would contact the store with my estimate. When he came he measured but didn't know about extra charges. With 100 SF of flooring I estimated it would run around $325. The next day Lowes called and said they had the estimate.

Related: Lowes - Very, Very, Very Disappointed!!!!

I went back to the store and almost fell over that the estimate was over $700. I could not believe they ala carted the bill so much. It included installing the inlaid in two bathrooms, removing two toilets and reinstalling them for around $150 , pulling up the old carpet and disposing it, and $80 for moving the Washer and dryer. I said I would remove the carpet and dispose of it. It was only glued along the edges and was nothing to remove. I also said I would have the Washer and Dryer moved to save another $80. Glue and other misc. items were also on the bill.

After agreeing on a labor estimate bill of $532 and shaking the salesman's hand I proceded to the registers to pay for the installation. The following morning Lowes called and said THEY forgot to charge for the underlayment and wanted an additional $53 for the underlayment that THEY forgot to put on the bill. They even had the nerve to ask me to haul it to my house for the job. I went to the store and paid them for the Underlayment, and they said the installer would pick it up on the way to my job.

I let them know I was very unhappy and this would be my last visit to a Lowes Store.

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Lowes Flooring Installation Estimates ... - Pissed Consumer

Enjoy luxury comfortwith modern pool cabana designs from ShadeFLA. Whether you want to provide guests with a peaceful refuge from the sun or just hang out inyour backyard or by the pool, custom cabanas and canvas gazebos are an ideal choice. Allow guests at your spa or resort toenjoy the shade and amenities by installing a cabana.

A cabanaoffers protectionfrom sun, rain and wind exposure as well as privacy and individual space outdoors. We are proud to offer a variety of brands and styles includingTuucilounges,TuuciEquinox cabanas, and the ShadescapesCuscinicollection. ShadeFLA can also create acompletelycustom cabana to suit your needs. Install a single cabana or an entire row along your pool deck orbeach front. Our cabanas are commercial-grade, marine-grade, and anchored to resist high winds and storms.

With guidance from our designers, you can easily customizethe interior of a cabana with unique curtains, cushions, and a private chaise lounge or sofa. We offer a variety of sizes, styles, fabrics, and amenities such as LED lighting options and fans.

By providing privacy in an otherwise open space, cabanas bring individuals a rare sense of comfort, relaxation, beauty and tranquility. Cabanas offer guests a room outdoors; creating the perfect harmony between indoor and outdoor living. They arethe perfect luxurious refuge.

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Pool Cabanas and Gazeebos - Our Products | Shade FLA

Wall-to-wall carpet is a popular option for flooring, but spills and day-to-day foot traffic can make it look dingy. Knowing how to clean carpet will help it look good and last longer. Routine maintenance is the first step to a clean carpet. Vacuuming regularly is key. Experts recommend vacuuming two or three times a week to remove daily dirt and debris. Part of your regular maintenance will include removing stains that happen from day to day, when the kids spill grape juice or the dog throws up on the berber carpet. You can use a store-bought stain remover or make your own from ingredients in your kitchen. Here how to clean carpet stains, by type.

Oils (grease, crayon, makeup)

Scrape off as much of the stain as you can. Use a towel or cloth to put rubbing alcohol on the soiled area. Blot with a clean towel. For a deep stain, you may need to repeat the process a couple of times.

Rust

Heres how to get rust stains out of carpet. Put lemon juice on the rust stain. Sprinkle with cream of tartar. Rub in the solution and let it sit 15 to 30 minutes or until the rust is gone. Blot the area with a towel or cloth soaked in clean water. Dont scrub or you may spread the rust stain. Dry the area with a towel.

Organic (blood, berries, fruit juice)

Pour a capful or two of hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain. Use the 3-percent solution available at drugstores. Let sit for 5 minutes, then dab with a soft cloth or sponge dipped in clean water. Use a towel to dry the area.

Mud

Let the mud dry. Break it up into small pieces and vacuum. Mix a few drops of liquid dish soap with warm water and put on the soiled area. Dab with a sponge or soft cloth. Use a towel to dry the area.

Pet urine

If you have a cat or dog, you have to know how to get pet stains out of carpet. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup warm water and put in a spray bottle. Spray on soiled area. Let sit for 5 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle baking soda on the stain and then clean with the water/vinegar mixture.

Ketchup and other acidic materials

Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1 cup of warm water and put in a spray bottle. Spritz cleaning solution on stain. Blot excess liquid out of carpet with a clean towel. Repeat until stain is gone. As a backup: Clean with hydrogen peroxide. (See above.)

At least once a year, youll need to deep clean your carpet. Renting a steam-cleaning machine that puts hot, soapy water on the carpet and then extracts it thoroughly is the best way to clean carpet.

Continue reading here:
How to Clean Carpet | DIY

For more than 17 years, Monster Clean has been making Hampton Roads homes and businesses happier; one carpet at a time. Established on principles of honest pricing, exceptional customer service, and top-quality work, Monster Clean has become a widely known and respected leader in the commercial and residential carpet cleaning Virginia Beach. Monster Clean has steadily outranked large corporate competitors in the market through unwavering dedication to our customers needs.

Monster Clean is an IICRC CleanTrust certified firm. The IICRC sets the standards for all cleaning professionals in the United States. We are trained to clean your carpets in accordance with theIICRC S100 Standard and Reference Guidefor Professional Residential andCommercialcarpet cleaning Norfolk VA, Chesapeake VA, and carpet cleaning Virginia Beach. We only use techniques and cleaning solutions approved for use on your particular carpets. Effective carpet cleaning requires the use of powerful equipment. Our massive truck mounted carpet cleaning equipment is the largest and most powerful at work anywhere in the state of Virginia.

Monster Clean is the most trusted company for truck mountedcarpet cleaning Chesapeake VA, and home services in all of Hampton Roads. Monster Clean has wonVirginia Pilot Best-of awardsfor carpet cleaning services for the last five years. Since 2008, we have also been Angies List Super Service Award recipients. We set the standard for service and cleaning companies, and we look forward to being Your Team of Trusted Experts.

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Carpet Cleaning Virginia Beach | Monster Clean | Rug Washing ...

Window Genie is Dallass leader in home services. We specialize in window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and more.Ourcommitment to customer satisfaction and professionalism is what sets us apart from the competition. With over 20 years of experience, Window Genie has earned the trust of homeowners throughout Dallas, Coppell, Irving and the surrounding areas. You can feel safe knowing our team of field technicians are fully trained, insured, bonded and drive custom wrapped GENIEMOBILES for easy identification.Estimates are always fast and free!

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Rita Volkman Millwee a month ago

Punctual. Polite. Definitely will use them again. Very eager to please.

Response from business owner

We sincerely appreciate your feedback concerning our window cleaning service, Rita! We look forward to helping you again on your next project.

Steve Millwee a month ago

These guys were awesome. Punctual, polite, and did an amazing job. Highly recommended. Would definitely use them again!!!!

Response from business owner

We are thrilled to hear you were pleased with the window cleaning service, Steve, and certainly look forward to helping you again on your next project!

Kathleen Livingston 2 months ago

It was easy. Got the bid quickly and booked it. Everyone was on time and they did a great job.

Response from business owner

We appreciate your feedback, Kathleen. We look forward to helping you on your next window and mirror cleaning project!

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Window Cleaning Dallas | Window Tinting Dallas | Pressure ...

"We had called a big name fence company to quote our fence, however before we committed I Googled "Top rated fence companies in Gwinnett County" and Better Decks and Fences was #1 in the ratings. After reading the reviews we called for a quote. Mike came out and beat our original quote, plus we felt very comfortable with Mike and trusted what he told us. Our fence was installed on Tuesday and is absolutely beautiful. We built the fence with cedar and the crew worked extremely hard, even in the rain, and completed the job in 1 day. I would definitely recommend Better Decks and Fences to anyone installing a fence. Totally Happy!!!"

-Bonnie G.

"Couldn't say enough great things about this company. We had our decks done by another company and WISHED we would have used Better Decks and Fences!! They fenced our huge backyard PERFECTLY!!! Over 650 feet of fencing was done in about 3 days. First day was taking down our old fence 2nd day was posts 3rd was finishing. It looks perfect!! Not rushed, the workers were exceptionally nice, when they said they'd be at your house working they would, no trash was left in the yard... I mean our whole experience was perfect. Love this company. Highly recommended! !!"

-Bonnie Z.

"Mike Thomas runs the best fence company in the Atlanta area. They came and did a quick site survey and quoted me a price that was extremely competitive. They took care of buying materials, installing the fence and making sure everything was cleaned up before they left. I would recommend anyone to Better Decks & Fences for their fence needs."

-Nathan M.

"Our experience with Better Decks & Fences was completely positive. They were very flexible on scheduling and understood our needs. The quality of the deck & stairs we had done is definitely one of the best I have seen.We feel very safe with their sturdy craftsmanship and their professionalism was second to none.I will definitely engage with this great company as we complete other projects"

-Robbie P.

"I called Better Decks & Fences for a 3rd opinion on having a privacy fence around my yard. I was about to commit with a BIG FENCE COMPANY in the Atlanta area but something didn't feel right and prices didn't add up. So I called these guys and I was immediately put in touch with the owner Mike, who was Awesome! He came to my residence that same day within 2 hours notice. Provided me with the BEST PRICE out of all the company's, Beat my expectations on how fast it was installed 470+ Linear feet in 2 days, And it looked better than I imagined it would. Mike Communicated with me from start to finish and was able to communicate with me while i was at work and couldn't be there to draw anything out for him.Totally Transparent Process!!! A+ in my book."

-Mike Z.

"My wife and I cannot say enough nice things about Mike, his crew, and the work they did. They were professional from day one and got the job done in a most timely mannor. The price was very competitive. They gave us several references in our area to go and see some of their work. We had 650' of old fence taken down and removed on day one, posts for the new fence set on day two, and our beautiful new fence installed on day three. They were constantly cleaning up any material left over. They were on-time all of the time and ALWAYS did exactly what they said they were going to do. We would HIGHLY recommend this company for any fence need you may have."

-Chris S.

"Great experience, Mike Thomas is the man when it comes to wooden privacy fence. He tore down my old fence and put up our new fence and hauled off all our old stuff in a day and a half. Quality is very good, cleaned up the mess very well and price was very reasonable. You will not find a better fence company! So if you are in the market, I would definitely recommend Mike ThomasHappy customers in Snellville, Ga."

-Andy M.

"Mike and his crew are top notch. He came and quoted out the job lower than the others and within days his crew came out and put together a real good quality, nice looking fence. They did everything that they told me they would do and it doesn't get any better than that. Nice to get what you're actually told you're going to get these days.I'd recommend Better Decks & Fences in a heart beat. "

-Sandy M.

"My fence was completed on 8/19/15. Mike was awesome and super laid back. Very professional team. They were on time and finished the job in the time he said they would. I am VERY pleased and would recommend Better Decks & Fences to anyone that has a project coming up. I also can't forget Bonnie 🙂 she was also very professional and got started right away. You guys have a great TEAM...THANK YOU everyone."

-Glenis L.

"Fence is beautiful!. They were very efficient and got the project done in 2 days. Very happy with our fence and the service we received. Would recommend."

-Levy C.

"Mike & his team area fantastic!! Best quote in town & speedy installation. We love our new fence!!! Highly recommend to anyone!"

-Tiffany T.

"WOW! Fast and friendly service. I would absolutely recommend to anyone who is in need of a fence. "

-Heather K.

"They did a wonderful job. They we're in and out before offer them a drink of water. The over-all quality of the work performed was superb. I recommend Better Decks and Fences to everyone I know and meet. If you are reviewing this statement then don't hesitate because I don't think you'll find anyone better than these guys. "

-Jermaine K.

"Mike and his crew were great! Fast and efficient. My neighbors were amazed the job was done in one day, taking down the old fence and putting up the new fence. The guys were polite and friendly and left a clean job site. The guys who picked up the old fence were also friendly and neat. Positive experience!"

-Nancy L.

"I cannot recommend Mike and his crew enough. They truly are head and shoulders above their peers when it comes to fences. Mike recently installed a fence at my wife and I's new home. He came out for the initial consultation on time, was very cordial, even gave my wife and I some ideas on how best to situate the fence on our property. His estimate was more than fair and we setup the install date. Mike was great about communicating with us about when the work would start, and where we were in the process. Once the install date arrived Mike showed up right on time, he went over the plan and walked the property with me and he and his crew jumped at it. They even finished the fence in 1 day instead of the quoted 2. I am sincerely pleased with the look of the fence, the sturdiness and overall quality of it. The craftsmanship demonstrated is very hard to find these days. The pickets are laser straight, the posts are rock solid and the gates are even and sturdy. Even when I called Mike with a concern, he showed up and fixed it with blistering speed.Thanks for an awesome job Mike. Your crew and you do exceedingly professional work. I cannot thank you enough. "

-Matt P.

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Lawrenceville Fence Company | Better Decks & Fences

This DIY deck is a gorgeous addition toAlexi Politis backyard. Alexi blogs about DIY projects, design and entertaining at Seeking Alexi. Shecreated this simple deck to help make her backyard the perfect place for outdoor entertaining.

Alexi had no specialized skills for building a deck, but shes a fearless DIYer, and she produced this simple and sturdy deck without spending a lot of money.

Follow her step-by-step tutorial to create a similar DIY deck for your backyard.

I think this is my most DIY favorite project I have ever done, and The Home Depot definitely made it all happen! From the friendly staff, to all of their tools, and the ideas on their Pinterest page, Home Depot really does have everything you need to make a big project, like a DIY deck!

First off, this is very possible to accomplish on your own! I am not a professional carpenter or contractor, but this project is easy enough to do. (Just dont underestimate the amount of time it takes to drill 768 screws!) But if you are adventurous enough, and have a few extra hands, building your very own deck is very possible!

Why build your own deck? For me, it came down to learning some new skills and saving lots of money! It is so extremely rewarding to stand on a deck that you have created with your own two hands. The bragging rights are unparalleled! And more importantly, you can save so much money! To pay someone to build a deck my size with typical materials would cost between $6,000 and $8,000! My deck came in under $900, since all I paid for was lumber, cement, and screws. Wow, right?

Lets build a deck!

Materials

If you want to make your low-level deck as inexpensive and simple as possible, follow what I did! Which is to use 2 x 6 pressure-treated beams spaced 24 in. apart on-center. The support for these joists provided by concrete deck piers needs to be placed at least every 8 feet.

I wanted mine as low to the ground as possible, (mostly because I didnt want stairs) so I dug down the cement deck piers closest to my house several inches, and the piers away from my house didnt need to be dug at all. You should do one deck pier at a time, and be CONSTANTLY measuring the perfect distances, leveling each deck pier to each other, and being as meticulous as possible that everything is level!

Tips

To do so, measure and cut each joist one at a time, in case there are any slight differences between the distances of your cement piers.

If your deck is large like mine, you will likely need to meet two joints onto one deck pier to reach the entire length of your deck. I have to mention the Ryobi miter saw I used was amazing for these large joists. It cut everything so smoothly, and even has a laser line that appears to make it extra easy for you. I love that saw so much!

You should alsospray some grass and weed killeror lay weed barrier cloth under the entire area of your future deck. You dont want any pesky weeds coming up through your deck when its all finished!

For me, I decided to use 2 x 4 Douglas Fir wood (simple framing-wood), because it is inexpensive, but still extremely strong.

If you can get your hands on a wood planer, use it! It will make sure all your wood is the same height and also give those rough 2 x 4s a beautiful, smooth finish. Remember you only have to plane one side (the side that will be seen)!

Since this wood is not typical decking-wood, you need this extra step to keep the wood from rotting and decomposing any sooner.

Note that Douglas Fir may not be ideal for other climates, but dry climates (I live in Utah) should be just fine if you will waterproof the bottom of the wood first. You dont need to waterproof the top, because we are going to stain/seal that side! I used Thompsons Water Seal and a paint roller; just make sure to follow the instructions on the container!

This part is not rocket science, just takes a little bit of time. Some boards are a little warped, and may need two people holding it in place as you get the first few outdoor deck-screws in each board. Use in. tile spacers between your boards, and add two screws per joist. I used the Ryobi impact drivers because that wood is tough and you need something strong to put the screws in!

You may also need to use a jig saw like this Ryobi jig saw to cut around drain pipes, or fencing on the edge of your deck like I did.

Tip: Create yourself a simple template out of a see-through material so you know exactly where to place your screws, then they will line up perfectly.

This part is easy, just add 1 x 6 wood to the ends of your deck to give it a finished look.

I used pine because I couldnt find Douglas Fir in that size.

Go back through every screw and make sure they are flush withthe wood, or even indented a bit. If the screws stick out, people may trip or snag their shoes as they walk.

Then, go back over each screw and give it a little bit of sanding to fix some of the splinters that will inevitably appear, since we are working with a natural product.

Also sand off the edges of the end-caps you just added to make those corners a little smoother.

I used a weatherproofing stain/seal on mine, and Im already so happy with it! And, if you know me at all, I love the color white so much, so of course I stained my deck opaque white!

I did three thin coats to get that bright, white color.

Make sure you give plenty of time to dry between coats, and also a couple days of drying time before you place anything heavy on your deck so it has time to cure.

Tip: Use a paint edger so you dont have to tape off the side of your house (tape doesnt stick well, anyway, since its a rough surface!).

This is where all the magic happens, and all the amazing products I decorated with from The Home Depot really made this whole project come together. For more details and tips for creating a cozy and intimate space in your own backyard, see my new deck revealhere on The Home Depot Blog.

I used these Edison bulb outdoor lights, and these rattan lights to add variety, some gorgeous plants in terra cotta pots. The copper Weber grill is gorgeous, and really adds a sophisticated color to the space, as well as these matching white and copper lanterns.

And of course, the two largest staple-pieces to the whole thing is the stunning deck furniture and overhanging umbrella. The umbrella is extremely sturdy, and very functional. It allows you to change the angle, which will be amazing for those long, hot summer afternoons. And, I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the Hampton Bay Mill Valley Collection. It is steel-reinforced, weather-proof, and its actually quite comfortable as well! I highly recommend it!

Was it worth it?

Overall, creating my own deck was an incredible experience. One that I am so happy to have accomplished, if nothing else for the amount of money that it saved me! And, I didnt have to cut any corners I ended up with a stunning deck that is now ready to enjoy for the entire summer, and it only took a couple of days of work!

Was it a little scary purchasing hundreds of dollars of lumber for a project Id never attempted before? Absolutely.

Had I ever used a miter saw before? Nope!

Did I screw more screws in a 48-hour period than my entire life combined? YES!

And it was worth every scary moment because now I have the most beautiful deck, for an amazing price, and I also learned so many new skills along the way. And I couldnt have built this DIY deck without The Home Depot. Thank you to them for giving me the courage to try something new!

Alexi Politisof Seeking Alexiis a design-aholic, Instagram junkie, wannabe blogger, novice letterer, master DIYer, expert chip-snacker, pretend traveler, semi-outdoors-(wo)man, football supporter, church-goin person, self-proclaimed foodie, domestic-lovin, & hugely motivated creative director, graphic designer and web designer.

See more DIY projects here on The Home Depot Blog, and follow our Easy DIY Projects board on Pinterest.

More here:
How to Build a Simple DIY Deck on a Budget