Is this crazy, or have labor rates gone up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In DC I assume the daily labor rate is about $1000 for skilled trades and $500 for unskilled. Those labor rates include the pay to the laborer, overhead and profit for contractor, and the behind the scenes part (trip to the dump, design time, ordering and picking up material etc). An unlicensed and uninsured person can work for a lot less.

Since the deck is off the ground, figure it will take a day for a 2 person unskilled crew to demo the deck. A day for a 3 person crew (one skilled) to rebuild the deck, and a day for a 3 person crew (again one skilled) to put the railing and finishes on.

It’s on the second floor but fully on top of the first floor portion of the house. So basically it was constructed years ago on top of the first floor room of the home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, what is the total cost if you don't mind sharing? In 2020 a friend got a great deal around $13K so add 20% to this? It was for composite decking.

It’s 8000 for taking the top boards off and replacing with Trex (5500 labor, 2000-2500 materials). I think I confused people by saying it’s a second story deck. It’s a flat deck built right on the top of a first floor bump out to the house. So it’s fully supported without footers and such. It’s on top of the house!

[Anonymous]

Hmm? Has there been unusual inflation in recent years? I hadn't noticed. Has there been any research into the causes?

[Anonymous]

make sure your joist spacing will adequately support the Trex decking. I wanted to do this but the contractor explained that standard joist spacing for 2 by wood decking is too far apart for most composite decking. If you've ever been on a deck that seems to have a bounce to it, that it what you could end up with. 16" is usually the maximum. But the range quoted is often 12-16"