Blow That Dough! -2021

[RobbieB]

If I had space I'm sure they would have. A nice mix of mulberry and eucalyptus with leaves and some deadwood. But 5 yards of mulch in the driveway would not be good.

 

[Christine]

I'm out of control.

I just bought my second new car (new to me) in one week. Bought a 2018 VW Tiguan with 6600 miles on the clock. Couldn't pass it up.

Congratulations! Just as long as you are in control when driving!

 

[DrRoy]

Contractor gave me the billing invoice quotes. The 1,000sqft deck boards are around $13K. The steel framing is around $27K and the railing is around $17K. Misc. hardware, tax, etc took the total to $61K for materials.

1st option; pressure treated wood using 6x6, 6x8 framing instead of steel. Price reduction of $13K, roughly half the cost of steel.

2nd option; pressure treated wood 4x4 4x12 framing instead of steel. Price reduction of another $5K from 1st option, for $18K less than steel.

3rd option; railing deleted. Railing was to be horizontal steel cable between metal posts for a cost of $17K. Contractor says we can design our own from raw materials and save at least $10K.

So, if I went with 6x pressure treated lumber on the framing and custom build the railing, not kit from dealer, the material costs can be reduced from $61K down to $38K. Far as looks goes, nothing that is visible will change.

4th option; redwood deck boards. Cost for 2x6 redwood is around $3 to $4 a square ft., roughly $3K to $4K. A reduction from $13K for composite decking, so another $10K, bringing the deck down to $28K.

So, $28K for a conventional wood deck w/6x6 lumber or $61K for steel and composite. I could replace the wood deck twice over during the lifetime of composite/steel. That still leaves the maintenance I was hoping to avoid.

A year ago, the composite/steel was around $20K for materials and wood was half that.

A lot to consider. It's hard to accept the cost of everything construction doubled in a year.

We went with wood framing, but Deckorators for the decking boards. I did not want to deal with splinters or the regular refinishing of the surface.

 

[street]

If I had space I'm sure they would have. A nice mix of mulberry and eucalyptus with leaves and some deadwood. But 5 yards of mulch in the driveway would not be good.

A few years ago now, I had a guy come look at 4 large ash trees to trim. He wanted 2K then. I decided it was more then I wanted to pay, so I did it myself. I still do one on a regular bases due to growth of over hang and keeping it in check.

Chips do make great landscaping product but you don't want green material mixed in with chips. All it does is rot and mold and is a mess after a few years. The best time to get chips from local contractors etc. is mid winter when tree are all wood no green material.

 

[Koolau]

A few years ago now, I had a guy come look at 4 large ash trees to trim. He wanted 2K then. I decided it was more then I wanted to pay, so I did it myself. I still do one on a regular bases due to growth of over hang and keeping it in check.

We pay what I consider a BTD amount for our HOA dues. BUT, for that, all our trees, flowers, shrubs in the commons areas are kept trimmed, planted and watered, etc. (along with actual building maintenance.) In the spirit of BTD and my own personal safety, I don't miss the days of climbing trees with small chain saw in hand following a wind storm. I don't miss nailing the gutters back on after a big storm. I'm old now. I have more money than than I have time and energy. I prefer to BTD and be lazy in my old age. STILL... I miss those days when I grabbed a ladder or pushed a wheel barrow or dug a septic system, etc. etc.

I'll live vicariously through the younger folks (you know - the ones in their 50's and 60's) Me? I'll Blow That Dough and hire it done. Hats off to folks still doing their own maintenance. But do be careful since YMMV.

 

[skipro33]

Twenty two hundred for 4 trees trimmed. Six guys and seven hours and a chipper and 2 trucks full of chips. Tipped 'em a C note too and going to have 'em do another.

I love pros -

I just spent $1700 for 2 oak trees trimmed and 2 oak trees removed. 2 guys all day. They cut all logs into fireplace size, They chipped everything and dumped an extra chipper truck of oak chips for me as well. I have 5 acres and can use the chips as mulch in many spots.
After done, I asked the foreman how much to do a larger area that would clear lower branches, clean up the dead in the trees, mistletoe, etc. He told me best value is $2900 for a full 8 hour day and 5 man crew. So, another $1200 over what I paid for the two guys, I get 5 guys. Well worth it. When done, my trees will look like they are in a park, not a wild land forest.

My brother spent $4,000 to trim up one oak at his place, but it's in a subdivision, and had to be very careful lowering each piece as much of it was over deck, fence and landscaping.

 

[finnski1]

I just spent $1700 for 2 oak trees trimmed and 2 oak trees removed. 2 guys all day. They cut all logs into fireplace size, They chipped everything and dumped an extra chipper truck of oak chips for me as well. I have 5 acres and can use the chips as mulch in many spots.
After done, I asked the foreman how much to do a larger area that would clear lower branches, clean up the dead in the trees, mistletoe, etc. He told me best value is $2900 for a full 8 hour day and 5 man crew. So, another $1200 over what I paid for the two guys, I get 5 guys. Well worth it. When done, my trees will look like they are in a park, not a wild land forest.

My brother spent $4,000 to trim up one oak at his place, but it's in a subdivision, and had to be very careful lowering each piece as much of it was over deck, fence and landscaping.

Tree work done by pros is expensive but usually worth it. That huge crane to lift 2 dead oaks over my garage cost the tree guy something like $280k for a fairly well used one. He said new ones are crazy. Then they have expensive chippers, skidders etc.

 

[braumeister]

Sounds like prices are not all that different around the country. I paid $1,800 in 2014 to have three large ash trees taken down. They were right next to the house so it was a very meticulous operation and well done.

 

[tb001]

Ha! I almost posted how surprised I was that this seems to be the one thing that’s not far more expensive in SoCA!! We just had three guys working non stop for 5 days trimming trees and it was just over 3k. They gave us an estimate of $500 to take down a large tree that’s in danger of falling on the neighbors house.

 

[skipro33]

Ha! I almost posted how surprised I was that this seems to be the one thing that’s not far more expensive in SoCA!! We just had three guys working non stop for 5 days trimming trees and it was just over 3k. They gave us an estimate of $500 to take down a large tree that’s in danger of falling on the neighbors house.

Awesome!

 

[RobbieB]

This used to look like a huge shrub;

The other 3 look just as good -

 

[skipro33]

This used to look like a huge shrub;


The other 3 look just as good -

Bonsai Daniel san, Bonsai! Ha!

 

[RobbieB]

Thanks! That's sorta what I was thinking. I had them done before but not quite this nice. This crew are certified Arborists and it shows.

 

[aja8888]

Bought a new 2021 Hyundai Tuscon SEL (SUV) on 2/28/2021 with all the electronic goodies. MSRP was $28,160. My price was $22,160 + TT&L. End of month and end of model year sale. Dealer incentives and Hyundai incentives were over $5 K. Then I rolled in a Veteran discount of $500. OTD price was $23,744. (includes 6.25% sales tax, plates and new title).

Deal includes 3 years scheduled maintenance other goodies.

 

[explanade]

Bought a new 2021 Hyundai Tuscon SEL (SUV) on 2/28/2021 with all the electronic goodies. MSRP was $28,160. My price was $22,160 + TT&L. End of month and end of model year sale. Dealer incentives and Hyundai incentives were over $5 K. Then I rolled in a Veteran discount of $500. OTD price was $23,744. (includes 6.25% sales tax, plates and new title).

Deal includes 3 years scheduled maintenance other goodies.

May be more of a great deal thing -- too good to pass up -- than a blow that dough transaction.

 

[street]

We pay what I consider a BTD amount for our HOA dues. BUT, for that, all our trees, flowers, shrubs in the commons areas are kept trimmed, planted and watered, etc. (along with actual building maintenance.) In the spirit of BTD and my own personal safety, I don't miss the days of climbing trees with small chain saw in hand following a wind storm. I don't miss nailing the gutters back on after a big storm. I'm old now. I have more money than than I have time and energy. I prefer to BTD and be lazy in my old age. STILL... I miss those days when I grabbed a ladder or pushed a wheel barrow or dug a septic system, etc. etc.

I'll live vicariously through the younger folks (you know - the ones in their 50's and 60's) Me? I'll Blow That Dough and hire it done. Hats off to folks still doing their own maintenance. But do be careful since YMMV.

True I do need to act my age when it comes to some of the things I do. I belt in and go to work. I do need to have more of the those type jobs done.

RobbieB >> trees look good.

 

[Dash man]

Finally took delivery of my car today. It arrived from Germany a week ago and I picked it up today. I must say, this has the most comfortable seats I’ve ever experienced in a car.

 

[street]

Looks great! The seats in that buggy probably cost more then my new Ford I just bought.

Congratulations on the new ride!

 

[Dash man]

Thanks! I’m glad you can see the picture. For some reason it’s not showing on my iPhone.

 

[doneat54]

Thanks! I’m glad you can see the picture. For some reason it’s not showing on my iPhone.

Nice! What model

 

[ivinsfan]

Shopped online for winter coats. DD DGD and I ,contribue every fall to the coat drive at her school district. We've shopped together online 3 times so far at the Walmart. com winter coat blowout. Finding great quality all sizes kids coats for 7 9 and 12 dollars.. I've never seen them so cheap....I wonder if it's a Covid related lack of shopping issue.

The school takes used coats in good shape as well but we like the kids to get a brand new one when possible. Hard to blow the dough at those prices.

 

[Dash man]

Nice! What model

It’s a 2021 BMW 540i xDrive. The color is Bluestone Metallic with black nappa leather interior.

 

[Nature Lover]

Just received a new air purifier (cleaner). Purchased an IQ Air HealthPro Plus in preparation for the upcoming summer air and wildfire season here in NorCal. Total was $900+tax. Not a huge amount....but for me, a splurge. (I guess protecting the air I breathe is more a necessity, but getting this model was definitely at the higher end of the available solutions).

BTW, Thank you to all who participated in the air purifier related threads last year. Your insights were very helpful in my selection.

 

[EarlyAven]

I bought ten of everything I liked in the nursery store. Yes, I could have saved the money but ...

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I just signed contracts to have the exterior of my entire house painted and to remove my aging concrete driveway and replace it with a new asphalt one. Additionally, I'm hiring someone to do my landscaping/mulching this year instead of doing it myself.

I'm on track to sell a second home that I own in 2 weeks (or sooner -- we just got the "clear to close" notice) which has no mortgage. I'll use a portion of those proceeds to pay for my projects and then put the rest in the bank to live off of for the next couple years.