How to calculate deck area?

[PoolGate]

How do I calculate the area of my deck? My PB marked lines for decking and is charging us for additional and it seems he is padding the bill a bit but want to confirm before I say anything.

 

[boomersooner]

I have the same thing going on with some added concrete on my design. I'm waiting on them to provide me the 2D design so I can do a take off on the original vs new.

I have software that allows me to trace the perimeter of the deck to determine the square footage. Depending on size, I wouldn't mind doing a take off on yours if you have a 2D drawing with some defined measurements so I can use the proper scale.

PM me if interested.

 

[Catanzaro]

I measured from pool coping (1' by length) every foot, around the pool and out (If this makes sense). Then created a spreadsheet. There were some areas that were rectangular and square, which I performed the calculations separately. At the time of payment, he was $750 more than my calculations. He was paid exactly what I wrote down. I mentioned to the mason that if he wants to sit there and go through each calculation, I have all day. He used his feet, pencil and pad.

My pool was free form, so it was a little more difficult.

 

[PoolGate]

I have the same thing going on with some added concrete on my design. I'm waiting on them to provide me the 2D design so I can do a take off on the original vs new.

I have software that allows me to trace the perimeter of the deck to determine the square footage. Depending on size, I wouldn't mind doing a take off on yours if you have a 2D drawing with some defined measurements so I can use the proper scale.

PM me if interested.

It is a freeform pool with a non-conforming deck built on on multiple angles. See my pics (bottom). Would it be able to calculate this? If not, I think I just need to make general measurements and create a sort of grid to get close to the size. Take a look at my pics and tell me if you think that is 800 sq feet. My perimeter is 115 feet.

 

[Catanzaro]

No pictures attached.

 

[PoolGate]

No pictures attached.

My sig line....

 

[boomersooner]

Yes, Here is an example of the take off I did on my original design to determine the square footage of the pool. I was only off 2ft from what the builder had so I know I'm fairly accurate.

 

[Catanzaro]

Go every foot around the inside of the decking. If you measure 1' by 3' out, then your square footage is 3'. Go all the way around. If you had a 2' difference, then I would not worry too much about this.

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Pools like these in NJ could cost up to $150,000 by the time you are all said and done. With such a short season, is it really worth it? Beautiful pool and layout.

 

[Teald024]

It is a freeform pool with a non-conforming deck built on on multiple angles. See my pics (bottom). Would it be able to calculate this? If not, I think I just need to make general measurements and create a sort of grid to get close to the size. Take a look at my pics and tell me if you think that is 800 sq feet. My perimeter is 115 feet.

It wont be easy to figure area using those pics. There isn't really a reference for size and one shot that shows all the decking. There would be too much error to give a decent estimate. More detailed measurements of your pool are needed.

The easiest in my opinion would be to string out two parallel lines all the way across (or a pulled out tape measure). Count the number of 1'x1' squares in it. move one string 12" to create the next set of parallel lines. count again. When you get to the non full squares, just decide if the square is 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or full size. that should get you close enough. You nor the builder will never be exact without some sort of scale drawing and software. Unfortunately, you will probably come to the conclusion that the builder's numbers make sense or not.

 

[PoolGate]

I did a quick and dirty doing calculations in sections. I overestimated each dimension and came out with 777 sq feet as apposed to the PB with 800 sq feet. Close enough that I am not alarmed anymore but I will get more accurate and then present my findings to them for adjustment.

 

[HitchHiker]

800 SF around a pool as large as yours actually seems a little light IMHO. I have a pool that measures 103 LF and 550SF and am installing 1100 SF of decking during my planned renovation. How wide are your pathways around your pool? I currently have 3' cement decking at the slimmest points around my pool and am replacing the slimmest points with 5' paver decking, and expanding the paver area significantly on one side of the pool. I'm actually looking at closer to 1600 SF total paver decking all told.

For deck calculations I'm fortunate in that I'm doing a reno, and could easily use Google Maps to draw out the decking dimensions and then Google Maps calculates the square footage, and then I simply subtracted 550 SF for the pool itself. Poof, instant SF calcs. Unless you have very recent satellite footage for your area that has your pool already in the pics, you won't be so lucky.

 

[PoolGate]

800 SF around a pool as large as yours actually seems a little light IMHO. I have a pool that measures 103 LF and 550SF and am installing 1100 SF of decking during my planned renovation. How wide are your pathways around your pool? I currently have 3' cement decking at the slimmest points around my pool and am replacing the slimmest points with 5' paver decking, and expanding the paver area significantly on one side of the pool. I'm actually looking at closer to 1600 SF total paver decking all told.

For deck calculations I'm fortunate in that I'm doing a reno, and could easily use Google Maps to draw out the decking dimensions and then Google Maps calculates the square footage, and then I simply subtracted 550 SF for the pool itself. Poof, instant SF calcs. Unless you have very recent satellite footage for your area that has your pool already in the pics, you won't be so lucky.

I'm just looking to pay for what I get and not more. The minimum deck width is 4' and goes up to @13'. The pic isn't to scale but the entire back side has no deck at all. Almost all of it like 35 feet of it.

I check google maps regularly and I am not updated yet but that would be great to be able to do!