Charlottesville Decks Contractor Alternative
Do it Yourself Coaching

1.  Initial Consultation:  

We'll meet with you at your home to review your project from a broad perspective and discuss the major steps involved. For example, building a deck may involve permits, plans, establishing a materials list, calling Ms. Utility before you dig the footers, choosing materials, obtaining the necessary tools etc. as well as determining parts of the project that may require physical labor assistance.

We'll also look at the general site conditions to identify potential challenges or safety concerns. For example, if we're going to be building a garage, we'll need to know where your drainfield and septic tank is located, where water lines, electric, gas and phone lines are etc. We don't want to cut a gas line when digging, nor do we want to have a 20 ton concrete truck end up in your septic tank! If we're cutting a new door into a wall, you'll need to know what's inside the wall before you start cutting! Don't worry about how to figure this all out, we'll show you!

Our first on-site consultation is only $88. There is no obligation for you to retain Frugal DIY, and when our initial consultation is completed the information you recieved will be good and valuable for you and your project.

If you're ready to save big on your next project, call us at 434-202-4198 or use our online contact form now, or click on the Call Me graphic below to have Frugal DIY call you now.

2.  Formal Agreement:  

After the initial consult, we move on to a formal agreement that will outline our specific duties, and yours, so there are no surprises or un-met expectations on either part. Lack of effective communication is the #1 reason for consumer dissatisfaction.

In order for a project to be an enjoyable experience , as it should be, proper planning and preparation needs to be implimented. Many homeowners pay a contractor not just because they lack the skills to do the work, but the process of getting to the work can seem daunting. For someone with no experience, learning the "how to" will take more time than actually building the project! That's why working with Frugal DIY is such a great value. We reduce the learning curve by 90%, and show you skills and techniques that simply cannot be found in a book. There won't be any "oops, I forgot that" moments with Frugal DIY, and we won't overlook opportunities to make the project turn out better than you originally anticipated.

For example, if you wanted to add special lighting to your new deck, it could cost you $1,500 or more from a contractor as an expensive option when you can add it yourself for a few hundred dollars, an hour or two of coaching and a few hours of work on your part. We'll help you identify great little features along the way to add value and enjoyment to your project.

If you're ready to save big on your next project, call us at (434) 202-4198 or use our online contact form now, or click on the Call Me graphic below to have Frugal DIY call you now.

3.  Detailed Plan:  

Now we're ready to develop a detailed plan for your project. We'll generate an outline to cover the entire project and add specific details to it as we go. If you're building a deck, step one would be to draw an actual plan of the structure, from which we can establish a materials list and a tools-needed list. Once you have the sketch done, then you'll need to look at permit requirements, call Ms. Utility etc. We'll work with you by telephone, in person, via email, online chat, during the day, evenings and weekends, whatever it takes to keep you on track and always ready for the next step.

"If you fail to plan, you're planning to fail" This quote about sums it up. Effective communications and planning are the keys to a successful project. Every member of the Frugal DIY team has at least a decade of experience. Our lead Frugal DIY Pro has more than 25 years experience.

If you're ready to start planning your remodeling project, call us at (434) 202-4198 or use our online contact form now or click on the Call Me graphic below to have Frugal DIY call you now.

4.  Gathering Materials:  

It sounds fun and there;s a lot more to it. Purchasing materials can take time to compare product brands, prices and suppliers. Using the list of materials we generated in the planning phase will make it easier, and there's no way to avoid the leg work. Depending on the project, you may want to give the entire list to several suppliers and let them bid on the entire job as a package, or you may want to shop piece by piece to get the best prices but beware the cost of time and gas to run around to accomplish this. Visit suppliers like Home Depot in Waynesboro, Lowe's (3 stores serving the Charlottesville area), Better Living, Blue Ridge Building Supply and a host of speciality suppliers. Make sure they have an easy returns and swap policy. If you get 50 2X8's for your deck, and 3 of them are bowed beyond being usable, who is going to run to replace them? If you get 40 TREX deck boards and 3 arrive damaged, who's job is it to swap them out?

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Use Google to learn about specific products, Like TREX Decking vs. TimberTech, and do your homework first. The cheapest product is usally not the best choice. Among the higher-priced products there may be features that you need to know about, like the length of manufaturer warranty, before you make your purchase. Frugal DIY suggests that you buy the best products that your budget will allow. Treated wood decks are less expensive than the composites like TREX, or exotic hardwoods like IPE' (ee-pay), but the real value in the materials comes years down the road with it's length and quality of service, and annual maintenance requirements. Skimping on materials is the surest way to dissatisfaction years later.

Click on the Call Me graphic below to have Frugal DIY call you now.

5.  Start Work:  

Ok, we've got our plans in place, our materials on-site and our tools ready to go. Let's start working! If your project involves digging, the first thing we'll need to do is verify that we've had Ms. Utility out to the house to locate utilities, and that you've been to the local health department to identify the location of your septic system and water lines. If you already knew this information then the trip to the health departnemnt wasn't necessary. Just be advised that it is your reponsibility alone if you cut a utility line. Not only is it potentially dangerous, having them repared by the utility is not cheap!

Once we've taken a few minutes to assess the situation, we'll jump right in according to our plans. As we go, we'll probably come across something we missed, or want to change, so keep in mind that our plans are not set in stone.

We'll guide you, lend a hand, and show you the skills and techniques you'll need to develop to do it right the first time! On this deck for example, we'll show you how to do the layout, calculate the best location considering all functional aspects of the deck, and get you started with the framing making sure it's perfectly level and square. For example, if the deck has 30 floor joists, we'll show you how to do a few, then watch you do the next few to make sure you've learned the process. Once you've mastered cutting and installing the joists, we'll head to another job while you finish this step. Don't worry, if you make a mistake we'll be able to show you how to correct it in no time! If you run into a problem, give us a call. We can usually work through most issues with you on the phone. You can even send us a photo by phone or email so we can see the issue. If we can't guide you on the phone, we'll run over as soon as possible and guide you in person! We're never more than a phone call away! We'll follow the schedule, and your progress, and come back to your home to work on the next step in building the project. If we're going to leave you "alone" for a few days while you work, we'll probably stop over every once in a while to check in on your progress and answer any questions or concerns, as well as to make any needed adjustments to the schedule.

If you're ready to start planning your remodeling project, call us at (434) 202-4198 or use our online contact form now, or click on the Call Me graphic below to have Frugal DIY call you now.

6.  Enjoy Your New...  

Fantasitc! Not only have you saved a pile of money and added value to your home, you actually did it yourself! The sense of accmplishment and pride is amazing! We've been taking photos of your project as it progressed from the moment you hired us, and we'll take a few more as we share the first cookout on your new deck, or the first dinner in your new kitchen! (We don't usually use your new bathroom, or swing from the new garage door though!) This is unquestionably the best part of what we do. Sharing in the moment of completion is a real joy!

We'll ask for your referrals, and keep in touch with you from time to time. Once a client of Frugal DIY, always a client! We're always available to answer any questions you have about home improvements or remodeling. Even if you're just going to paint the front door, feel free to give us a call and talk about it. Chances are there is probably some valuable tip that we can offer to help you save money and end up with a better job!

Click on the Call Me graphic below to have Frugal DIY call you now.