Read what others have said on previous Professional Deck Builder Surveys & Quick Vote topics.
When you build a deck, do you install the joists so that they are perfectly level, or do you pitch them slightly for drainage?
Flat 53.4%
Pitched 46.6%
On your major outdoor living projects, which of these features is most often included?
Pergola or shade structure 28.57%
Patio or other hardscaping 17.86%
Fireplace or firepit 14.29%
Door/window replacement 14.29%
Fencing and/or gate 14.29%
Outdoor kitchen 7.14%
Hot tub/pool/water feature 3.57%
Solid or Sawtooth Stringers?
Sawtooth 73.65%
Solid 26.35%
Pick the winning Reader’s Tip
Old-School Water Level 44.07%
Three Quick Tips for Better-Looking Decks 20.34%
Quick Rail Post Layout 15.25%
A Solid Landing Detail 15.25%
Flexible Forms for Embedded PT Posts 5.08%
How much vacation time do you take annually?
Up to 2 weeks 38.78%
Less than a week 22.45%
Up to 3 weeks 20.41%
4 weeks or more 16.33%
None 2.04%
What is the final cost to your client for your average project?
$10,000 to $20,000 48.15%
$20,000 to $40,000 25.93%
$40,000 to $75,000 14.81%
Less than $10,000 11.11%
More than $75,000 0%
What’s your favorite tool brand?
Milwaukee 28.77%
Makita 26.03%
DeWalt 21.92%
Bosch 8.22%
Ryobi 5.48%
Festool 4.11%
Hitachi 1.37%
Porter-Cable 1.37%
Ridgid 1.37%
Other 1.37%
Square drive, Star drive, or Phillips head?
Star drive 75.28%
Square drive 21.77%
Phillips head 2.95%
Spirit Level or Laser?
Spirit level 51.52%
Laser level 48.48%
What is your favorite type of hidden fastener system?
Clips 43.51%
Camo edge screws 25.32%
Other 18.18%
Screw-and-plug 8.44%
Under-deck track 4.55%
Where is everyone hanging out these days?
Facebook 20.59%
Instagram 19.12%
Pinterest 14.71%
Twitter 13.24%
Houzz 11.76%
YouTube 10.29%
LinkedIn 8.82%
Other 1.47%
With all the talk about the greying of the residential construction labor force, PDB is wondering about its readers. How old are you?
61 and over 48.18%
51-60 32.12%
41-50 13.87%
31-40 4.38%
Under 30 1.46%
When installing wood decking, how do you orient the boards?
Bark side up 53.88%
Best side up 30.82%
Bark side down 11.21%
Randomly 4.09%
Flush or Step – When building a deck, do you plan the elevation so that it is flush with the interior floor, or so that there is at least one full step down?
Step 50.89%
Flush 49.11%
Wood, Plastic, or Metal – what kind of railing are you primarily installing these days?
All-wood rails and balusters 30%
PVC or composite railing systems 25%
Stainless cable-rail systems 10%
Hybrid system (ie. Wood railing with aluminum balusters) 5%
Hybrid system (ie. Wood railing with aluminum balusters) 5%
Deck Expo is happening in Nashville next month, a brand-new venue. Are you going?
No 48.72%
Yes 51.28%
After cutting beams, deck joists, blocking, and other framing members to length, do you treat the cut ends with preservative?
Never 38.5%
Sometimes 32.62%
Always 28.88%
Sometimes 32.62%
How many hours do you work specifically as a deck builder per week?
40 to 60 hours 52.17%
20 to 40 hours 17.39%
More than 60 hours 17.39%
20 to 40 hours 17.39%
Does your company perform drug testing, either as a condition of employment or randomly following employment?
No drug testing is performed by my company. 47.62%
Testing is done randomly after employment. 28.57%
Testing is done as part of the employment process. 23.81%
Testing is done randomly after employment. 28.57%
When your deck framing is supported by PT posts, do you bury the posts in the ground, or do the posts bear on concrete piers that extend below grade?
Posts bear in piers that extend below grade. 73.31%
Posts are buried, and bear on a below-grade footing. 26.69%
Posts bear in piers that extend below grade. 73.31%
When hiring a new crew member, what tools do you provide?
Most power tools, including saws. Worker provides a basic tool belt, with his own hand tools. 80.25%
None. Worker is expected to provide all tools needed to perform his job. 8.64%
I provide my workers with all tools, including both a well-equipped tool belt and power tools. 8.64%
Everything in C., along with a company truck. 2.47%
I provide my workers with all tools, including both a well-equipped tool belt and power tools. 8.64%
Which of these trade shows will you attend in 2017?
International Builders Show 25%
JLC Live/Providence 25%
Remodeling Show/DeckExpo/JLC Live 25%
Other 16.67%
JLC Live Northwest/Portland 8.33%
International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo 0%
GIE+EXPO – Louisville 0%
International Pool/Spa/Patio Expo 0%
If you drive a pickup truck for work, what kind is it?
Chevy/GMC 41.3%
Ford 23.91%
Dodge 15.22%
Toyota 13.04%
Nissan 6.52%
Other 0%
Nissan 6.52%
Looking ahead to the upcoming year, how are you feeling about the prospects for your own contracting business?
None of the above. The changes in Washington will have little or no effect on my business. 54.55%
Excited. The changes in Washington will lead to a lot of opportunities and growth. 27.27%
Nervous. The changes in Washington will create a lot of uncertainty. 18.18%
Scared. The changes in Washington will send the economy into a tailspin. 0%
Nervous. The changes in Washington will create a lot of uncertainty. 18.18%
Which of these describes your educational background?
2 or 4 year technical or liberal arts college degree 40.43%
Post-graduate degree 23.4%
High school graduate 21.28%
Some college courses 8.51%
Professional vocational training 4.26%
Vocational/Tech school graduate 2.13%
Professional vocational training 4.26%
Which of the following tools are you LEAST likely to purchase in the next 12 months?
Track saw 31.51%
Green-line laser level 30.14%
Belt sander 21.92%
Oscillating multi-tool 16.44%
Belt sander 21.92%
When choosing decking, which factor has the most influence on your clients’ final decision?
Cost 37.21%
Durability 13.95%
Maintenance 25.58%
Color 11.63%
Reputation 11.63%
Color 11.63%
In addition to regular PDB coverage of deck-focused topics, I would like to see more information on:
Related remodeling projects (such as door replacement, for example) 25.64%
Tool reviews 23.08%
Hardscaping 20.51%
None of the above; focus more on deck construction 17.95%
Business topics (marketing, estimating, financial management, hiring/firing) 2.56%
None of the above; focus more on deck construction 17.95%
What material are you currently framing most of your decks with?
Pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact (UC4A) 64.29%
PT lumber, but don’t know what kind 17.86%
Pressure-treated lumber rater for above-ground use (UC3B) 10.71%
Steel 7.14%
Pressure-treated lumber rater for above-ground use (UC3B) 10.71%
What is your favorite part of the deck-building process?
Getting paid 35%
Framing 30%
Installing the decking 15%
Designing, planning, and interacting with clients 15%
Building stairs and railings 5%
Preparing the site and installing the footings 0%
Building stairs and railings 5%
Which of these outdoor features are you most likely to include in your next project:
Hardscaping 47.62%
Pergola 23.81%
Firepit 19.05%
Outdoor Kitchen 9.52%
Firepit 19.05%
When installing the footings for a new deck, do you:
Work from the ground up, forming and pouring the footings first? 72.82%
Work from the top down, framing the deck on temporary supports first, and then forming and pouring the footings? 27.18%
Work from the ground up, forming and pouring the footings first? 72.82%
Have you had to repair or replace any prematurely rotted (less than 10 years old) pressure-treated lumber in any of the following locations:
Decking 32.99%
Deck framing (joists, beams, or ledgers) 28.87%
Railings (including posts, guard rails, or balusters) 23.71%
Have not encountered any problems 14.43%
Railings (including posts, guard rails, or balusters) 23.71%
Where do you usually buy the PT lumber used to frame your decks?
Local lumberyard 75.64%
Big Box retailer (Lowes and/or Home Depot) 24.36%
Direct-shipped from a volume supplier 0%
Big Box retailer (Lowes and/or Home Depot) 24.36%
Are you planning to give your employees (or yourself) a raise this year?
Yes 100%
No 0%
Yes 100%
Did your company purchase or lease any vehicles in 2015 to take advantage of the IRS Section 179 business tax deduction?
Yes 46.67%
No 53.33%
I don’t know 0%
No 53.33%
I don’t know 0%