Awesome. I have a tofu and sprout casserole recipe somewhere...

[late to thread]

Aw goddammit. That would piss me off at least as much as it is pissing you off. You were doing a really good job and this doofus has half-arsed it and cocked it up. The job is now behind where it was when you last left it, 'cause you're going to have to undo a lot of rubbish work before you can start up again.

Build it once, build it right, enjoy it for a long time.

I wouldn't even let that guy paint the deck. He obviously doens't take any pride in doing a good job.

Ceck.

ZACKLY!

My buddy the electrician is fond of saying "Electrical wiring is not a hobby"

true for all the trades really, if one takes pride in his work.

In that last pic... was that... putty?

No..just sawdust and detritus.

But isn't this a hobby for Jim?

It is. but it's also art.

I want him to be proud of the way the deck looks when he has friends over. I want to be proud of it.

I plan to continue to refine and augment it next spring, as well... We're talking about putting a set of rafters up over half of it to hang plants from (there's a name for that which escapes me)

You're doing excellent work on the deck, and the friend is lucky to have you. Construction projects can be frustrating for the owner, especially when there are delays, but this friend knew that you would be working on it in your spare time, weather permitting. If he wanted any old deck company to throw together a deck quickly, he could have gone that route and had a deck that looks just like every other deck out there.

pergola?

Nicely said, glatt.

He's right, the guy could've gone out and got a Deck in a Box, but he wanted a custom and well-done deck.

Pergola, right?

My point was that you don't need to be a professional to do a good job. Often the hobbyist can take more time and make something nicer than the professional can.

Mmmm, Pergola Alfredo. :yum:

RIGHT!

RIGHT!
RIGHT!