The 3 Things That Every Deck Restoration Quote Should Include

You know how when your decking peels and fades…

Well, it’s usually caused by 1 of 3 reasons….

And you’ll be much happier if you make sure the deck restoration quote you choose includes a solution to each of these 3 problems…

Let me explain:

There’s 3 things that every deck restoration should include…

If you’re busy Googling around, trying to get the best deal on your deck restoration, then this brief article will show you how to take one quote and compare it to another so you can get the best deal, not just the cheapest price…

Let’s begin shall we:

Firstly, let me introduce myself…

Hi, I’m Jason and I run a Deck Restoration Company for locals in suburbs all around Melbourne…

This is me… with my 2 monkeys.

And, here’s my wife slacking off while I finish oiling…

And, this is me putting the finishing touches on some deck sanding…

Finally… this is my wife all kitted up for the CoronaVirus.

And that’s me in the background praying that it’ll all go away soon…

Now that we’re friends, let me quickly say that, the purpose of this article is not to sell you on my service but simply show you that there is more to a deck restoration quote than the price…

There are many good deck restoration services in Melbourne, and I would like to consider myself one of them…

But there are some cheap, dodgy ones as well…

So, what I’m about to share with you will help you to take the guess work out of comparing deck restoration quotes… and… Of course, choosing the right company for you…

Let’s go straight to the 3 things…

Quote Must Have Number 1.

No matter what treatment they use, make sure they include a scrub and clean with a brightener.

Whenever you apply a coat of oil or stain to your deck, you want your decking boards to be ready to absorb as much oil as possible. Cleaning your deck with a brightener helps to open up the surface of your boards and allows the oil to absorb deeper into the timber.

Even if you have your deck sanded back, it should always be followed up with a scrub and clean with a brightener.

Many deck restoration companies skip this step but it’s not a good idea. You want to give your decking boards the best chance to absorb the oil as deep as it can so it will reduce the chance of peeling and fading.

Make sure it’s specified on your quote.

Quote Must Have Number 2.

If your deck needs to be sanded back, make sure they strip it back with a 40 grit sandpaper then go over it again with an 80 grit sandpaper. Make sure they never go finer than an 80 grit sandpaper…

Your outside decking isn’t the same as your inside timber floors. Inside you want to go as smooth as possible but if you do this with your decking it’s a bad idea…

If you sand your deck too smooth, you’ll close the surface off and stop the oil from penetrating deeper into your boards. 80 grit sandpaper is a good balance between having a smooth finish and keeping the surface of your timber open to absorb the decking oil.

Any good deck restoration company will sand your decking back with a 36 to 40 grit sandpaper then smooth it off with an 80 grit sandpaper.

If you have your deck stripped back with a pressure cleaner, your quote should also include a light 80 grit sanding. Pressure cleaning can cause damage to the surface of your decking and leave it looking like it’s covered in dirt once it’s been oiled.

Make sure your quote includes a light sand with an 80 grit sandpaper.

Quote Must Have Number 3.

Your quote should include a decking brush to apply the oil or stain, not a lambswool applicator.

If your decking looks like it’s been covered in decking paint, most times it isn’t. Usually what’s happened is whoever oiled your deck last time, applied a decking oil with a lambswool applicator…

A lambswool applicator lays down the oil so thick, it looks like paint. And a thick layer of decking oil is a bad idea. It doesn’t offer more protection like you think it would. It sits on the surface of your boards waiting to peel and flake off…

Your decking expert should be using a decking brush instead.

A decking brush is 5 times the price and takes a little longer to apply the oil but is far more superior than a cheap, lambswool applicator…

The reason you want your deck restorer to use a decking brush is this:

You only want to apply as much oil as your deck can absorb so it sucks deep into the timber and doesn’t sit on the surface like a film. With a deck brush, you use the brush on, brush off method.

You work the oil into the surface by “brushing on”, then take off the excess by “brushing off”

The bristles on the brush help to force the oil into the surface of your boards, not just coat the top.

The brush also reaches down the sides between the boards.

A lambswool applicator is the cheaper option and is much quicker to use as well but it doesn’t do the job properly and will lead to your deck peeling and fading quicker than if you used a deck brush.

Make sure your quotes include the cost of a decking brush not a lambswool applicator.

The bonus: Quote Must Have Number 4

Your quote should include a plan for future maintenance.

Sometimes I’ll get called out to quote a deck restoration and the homeowner tells me the last company messed it up.

I’ll take a look at the ugly peeling, faded mess of a deck and ask “How long ago was it done?”

Then the owner usually says something like “Maybe 2 or 3 years ago” Then the husband pipes up “No it was 5 years ago”… “Whatever, it’s been a while”…

The last deck restoration company messed up but not in the way you think…

The thing is, you need constant decking maintenance if you want your deck to stay looking great.

If you let it go past 12 months without maintenance then it will peel or fade and need to be redone.

The reason your deck is looking so bad is usually not because the last guy did a bad job with the restoration, it’s because he did a bad job educating you about how to keep your deck looking great.

You should be giving your deck a scrub and clean every 3 months and a re-coat at 12 months.

This wouldn’t be included in your quote, but a decent deck restoration company should be letting you know how to care for you decking yourself or give you an option for them to come back and maintain it for you.

Just something to think about.

Well that’s about it from me.

Oh wait, did I mention that I can give you a quote on your deck restoration?

And, would you believe that the quote will include all of the things that I mentioned above?

When you get a quote from me, every item is separated out so you know exactly what is included in the price.

I list and price everything…

How could I take you this far and not offer my services? It would be rude of me…

Here’s the Special Deal

When you get me to restore your deck you get everything listed below

1. Deck cleaned, sanded and 2 coats of oil

2. Plants covered and protected

3. Home protected from chemicals and oil splashes

4. Flexible and patient to get perfect weather conditions

5. All dust removed from home and windows after sanding

6. Yearly maintenance and re-coat schedule with reminders before it’s due

*Plus Limited Time Special*

You’ll also receive 3 Maintenance cleans for free…

That is… a 3 month clean…

A 6 month clean…

And a 9 month clean, all for free…

These cleans involve a decking scrub, with our own cleaning formula, designed to remove damaging dirt and mold, keeping your decking looking new and reducing fading and peeling…

Here’s the thing…

You have to mention this special “3 Free Cleans” when you contact me.

It’s only available on this page and only until the end of April 2020…

So if you’re here reading this, and April hasn’t passed, then you can still get this offer.

Here’s what you need to do.

You can call or text me on 0466183548…

You can email me at [email protected]…

I can either come out to your home or you can send me pictures and the measurements of your deck and I’ll give you a quote based on what you give me.

You’ll get everything mentioned in the special deal above…

And when you mention the “3 Free Cleans” you’ll also get the 3 month, 6 month, and 9 month maintenance cleans for free.

Here’s my number again: 0466183548

I hope this has been helpful to you…