How to Make a Bid for a Deck Project

Information Gathering

• 1

  Go to the job site where the deck will be built. Talk to the person requesting the bid and find out exactly how he wants the deck to look when it is completed. Make sure you are clear as to the size he wants the deck to be, the number and length of the stairs, the type of railings he desires and any extras he wants such as built-in lighting, flower boxes, benches or pergolas.

• 2

  Talk to the person requesting the bid about the materials the deck will be made of. Nail down what type of wood he wants used, the type of railing material he wants and all the details including hardware and accessories. Write up a list of all the materials you will need to built the deck. Include every item from the screws to the wood to the materials used to make the accessories.

• 3

  Find out if the homeowner will apply for the deck permit or if he would like the person who builds the deck to do that. If he doesn't want to apply for the permit, find out the cost of the permit.

• 4

  Go to the hardware store where you will purchase the materials. Take your list and calculate how much each item will cost using your calculator or doing the figures in your head.

• 5

  Figure out any additional costs that you will be out of pocket if your bid is accepted -- wear and tear on your tools, equipment rental (such as a post hole digger), vehicle expenses and fuel costs.

Writing Up the Deck Bid

• 6

  Write all the information you have collected on paper or in a computer program. Detail every expense from Section 1 so the people who are commissioning the deck to be built can see where the money will be going.

• 7

  Figure out how many hours it will take you to do the job. To do this, calculate how many hours each step will take such as applying for the permit (if applicable), buying supplies, digging post holes, laying the deck boards, making the stairs, putting up the railings and making any accessories.

• 8

  Determine how much you want to get paid by the hour for this job. Multiply that number by the number of hours you estimate the job will take. Add the labor cost to the other expenses you've already put on the bid.

• 9

  Finish the bid by adding up all the expenses and putting the total on the bottom of your list. Complete the form by putting all your contact information on the bid and attaching a business card, if pertinent.