What would be a reasonable cost...

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
...to replace this tread (flat top of stair) on my front porch. I didn't even realize how bad it was until I had my last sale and some guy caught his toe in a depression in the rotted wood and stumbled going done the stairs. When I stepped on it it felt spongy like foam rubber. Unfortunately, it's the tread that supports the two roof columns. I got 1 estimate already and the guy said that didn't include painting because if he replaces the rotted wood with pressure-treated, he can't paint it for a few months. Let's see how close you can get to his estimate.

porch stair1.jpgporch stair2.jpg
 

debodun said:
...to replace this tread (flat top of stair) on my front porch. I didn't even realize how bad it was until I had my last sale and some guy caught his toe in a depression in the rotted wood and stumbled going done the stairs. When I stepped on it it felt spongy like foam rubber. Unfortunately, it's the tread that supports the two roof columns. I got 1 estimate already and the guy said that didn't include painting because if he replaces the rotted wood with pressure-treated, he can't paint it for a few months. Let's see how close you can get to his estimate.

View attachment 52252View attachment 52253
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need dimensions, photos...good photos, close up and total porch area including columns and roof
 
Are the two roof columns being replaced? The lumber to replace just those two treads is <$20
 

debodun said:
Only the bottom stair tread needs to be replaced. A piece of wood 63" long, 12" wide and an inch thick.
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Got it, but my home handyman instincts tell me to replace all the stair treads at a minimum. I assume the roof supports were properly inspected and were okay
 
The step appears to have sunk below grade and my thought is that once the carpenter removes the stair tread he will find that everything else in the steps is rotten and will need to be replaced. I would think that this could run to around $1,200.00 before it is finished.
 
I hired a handyman 2 years ago to fix it then when that tread developed a rack. He went and bought lumber, then found out the wood he got wouldn't "fit". Then he took that board out, turned it over, re-inserted it on top of the riser and painted it. Now the crack has come through this side. It amazes me how few handymen do carpentry around here. I had a business card I got from a handyman that was working on a neighbors house a few years ago and when I called him about it, he said he only does masonry work now. All other's I've called from business cards I've obtained have not returned my message or have moved away or are OOB. The only one that responded said he estimated $100 to $200 just from looking at the photo and that didn't include painting.
 
The whole stairway should be replaced. Jacks to support the roof overhang need to be used. Then, the stairway should be demoed and all lumber replaced. If you do a piecemeal job, you'll be sorry when you, or someone else, crashes through a stair and sustains (possibly) major injuries.
 
Don M. said:
Whatever the cost...it will certainly be far cheaper than the Lawsuit you may face if someone injures themselves...Get it done...NOW!
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debodun said:
The contractor that gave me the estimate did not do an on-site inspection, he did it from photos I sent him by email.
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C'est Moi said:
Well, that would be my first red flag.
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debodun said:
I hired a handyman 2 years ago to fix it then when that tread developed a rack. He went and bought lumber, then found out the wood he got wouldn't "fit". Then he took that board out, turned it over, re-inserted it on top of the riser and painted it. Now the crack has come through this side. It amazes me how few handymen do carpentry around here. I had a business card I got from a handyman that was working on a neighbors house a few years ago and when I called him about it, he said he only does masonry work now. All other's I've called from business cards I've obtained have not returned my message or have moved away or are OOB. The only one that responded said he estimated $100 to $200 just from looking at the photo and that didn't include painting.
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I’m with Don on this. Get it done before someone injuries themselves and you get sued.

This is just my opinion here , but hiring a contractor via email isn’t wise. A good contractor needs to inspect and feel the wood. That can’t be done by merely viewing a photo so I’d ditch anyone who quotes a price to you via email.
Hire a qualified contractor. They are expensive but you’ve already stated that you are wealthy so can afford it.
This is an important part of your house and if anyone injures themselves you might regret cheaping out.
 
treeguy64 said:
The whole stairway should be replaced. Jacks to support the roof overhang need to be used. Then, the stairway should be demoed and all lumber replaced. If you do a piecemeal job, you'll be sorry when you, or someone else, crashes through a stair and sustains (possibly) major injuries.
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Yep! I completely agree.
 
treeguy64 said:
The whole stairway should be replaced. Jacks to support the roof overhang need to be used. Then, the stairway should be demoed and all lumber replaced. If you do a piecemeal job, you'll be sorry when you, or someone else, crashes through a stair and sustains (possibly) major injuries.
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This sounds like a good plan and you need someone to actually look at it. If someone does get hurt and you did not properly maintain the stairway, your insurance may not pay damages to someone that hurts themselves. Looks to me like an accident waiting to happen.
 
It looks rotten and probably there are termites in the wood. Ham & egging your home upkeep with the cheapest handymen or ignoring the repairs aren't serving you.

I wonder what the town building inspector would advise or what your homeowner's insurance co. would do about risk your home poses? Could raise your rates.

Things have been sliding for so long , it's going to cost you more now. But, you can't take it with you Deb, you might as well spend for repairs it or sell it as a fixer-upper (cheap) and get out.

A professional needs to look at it, touch it, smell it etc. Just because the person would be an insured professional doesn't mean you would be cheated.

Good luck.
 
!st. rule. Don't hire "handymen" to do structural work. It's way over their heads. The fact that one can convince you this or that speaks volumes for your naivety. Your home is your number one investment (assuming you made such investment), pay to play or take your chances. From the photo I would consider a whole new set of steps.
 
AZ Jim said:
!st. rule. Don't hire "handymen" to do structural work. It's way over their heads. The fact that one can convince you this or that speaks volumes for your naivety. Your home is your number one investment (assuming you made such investment), pay to play or take your chances. From the photo I would consider a whole new set of steps.
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I so agree! Deb if you inherited free and clear, you have no investment to "lose" if you can unload it quickly.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a cute, smaller apartment or even a condo that saves electricity with insulation and thermal pane glass? Air conditioning on muggy days and with snow removal, mowing, gutter and leader cleaning- all done for you .
 
debodun said:
Why do you need total porch area when all I need is one piece of lumber 63" long, 12" wide and 1" thick? Here is a photo of thr front with an arrow indicating which stair it is.

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Well, I've redone a couple houses in that shape
Looks to be turn of the century, stick built, of which is good/bad

Is it an investment? (I may have missed this)

Anyway, you'll prolly find more than you're bargaining for once you pull that step
And those columns come very much into play

Everthing is overgrown, looks to be some time since the shrubbery saw a clipper
indicating zero maint for a while
usually PM type things follow suit, like paint, caulking, roofing, gutters

Like some has said here, you need a professional....now.....and pulling $20K out for beginners
 
I don't think Deb is really planning on rebuilding the entire front of the house. The steps are the real safety/liability issue that she needs to address.
 
Deb,

Try one of these for the gate on the front steps and another for the back door. :playful:

Do-Not-Enter-Sign-K-6612.gif


Good luck!
 
That photo of the whole front is one that is on our town's tax roll page and looks like it was taken 20 years ago. I have done maintenance on the front since then. I only used it to show the area of the porch under concern since it was not taken at an angle. Here is a more recent pic:

house_front2.jpg
 
I'm no carpenter, never built anything in my life but my first thought when looking at the photo ..... "What holds the porch roof overhang up when the bad tread is pulled out?"
 
helenbacque said:
I'm no carpenter, never built anything in my life but my first thought when looking at the photo ..... "What holds the porch roof overhang up when the bad tread is pulled out?"
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How it's attached to the main porch. The handyman that just reversed the tread said the pillars aren't even touching the tread. I tried and I can "wiggle" them by hand.
 

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