Another Hair-Brained Idea

Allan in NE · Feb 22, 2016

What if I chop the posts off at ground level and move this deck on a trailer?

Allan

JD Seller · Feb 22, 2016

Allen that should work FINE!!! A deck is a deck. That one looks nice so if you can match the elevations on the "new" house than I sure would use it.

Sean Feeney · Feb 22, 2016

Nothing to lose will be crushed up anyways

jm. · Feb 22, 2016

Saw-sall, right at the ground will cut the post and cause less damage. Guy bought ours when we done away with our trailer. They used a 24ft roll back, just kinda let the bed work back under the deck and drove away and yes it was on a slope almost as bad as that.

UAFitter · Feb 22, 2016

Hi Allan-

I don't think it's hare-brained at all, and in fact have done similar things myself. If it's still sitting reasonably level, I would get the dimensions of the post layout and reproduce that layout at my intended destination by pouring Sonotubes on the same centers, and I would pour them so that the tops of the tubes are level with each other. Then, I would mount a post bracket on each pad, then figure the height to finished elevation of the deck. Then I would cut the posts off evenly at that dimension, leaving perhaps an inch of extra length to allow for adjustment in case your piers aren't level. If you're confident of your measurements, cut them dead on. That thing will be a lot easier to move if it's straight and square than if it's riding on legs of unequal length. No hill for a climber, man- good luck!

wisbaker · Feb 22, 2016

Sure get some sonotubes and poor a concrete pier under each of the deck post and know one would be the wiser

OliverGuy · Feb 22, 2016

It's a good idea. Ours here came from a customers house that had to come out for a new paver patio. I took it out in parts. If there are long parts, cut it up, then picture frame the sections or something to make it look like it was planned!

ss55 · Feb 22, 2016

The railings and steps can be removed. Many building codes require decks to be supported by piers, so cutting off the posts won't hurt anything.

rrman61 · Feb 22, 2016

How far are you moving it?could you rig skids to attach to the posts then drag it or drag it onto a trailer?

504 · Feb 22, 2016

I stick the loader bucket under the deck and cut the post off.

MSD · Feb 22, 2016

If you are having to have any kind of building inspection done there it won't pass with the railing that is on it. Codes call for spacing so that a 4" ball won't pass through the spindles.

ditchwitch · Feb 22, 2016

Personally I would take the steps off and back a trailer under it. keep cutting the post out from under it and backing the trailer let it slide on the trailer untill you get it where you want it. and it sitting flat on the trailer would be alot safer than standing on the post legs.

CenTex Farmall · Feb 22, 2016

Not hair brained at all.

Lot of good material there in the shape of a deck.

wolfman · Feb 22, 2016

With cribben blocks and a couple jacks, you can lift the deck and ease the trailer under the deck. let it down with the jacks and go. I moved a 10X20X8 roofed porch on a flat bed hay wagon out the highway on an early Sat morning.

Pair-a-dice farm · Feb 22, 2016

Building inspector in the country? I can't say about Nebraska but in most of rural fly over land we can still build without bureaucracy.

Allen, I moved a deck that way a few years ago. Like was said I just poured pads and set pier blocks where the posts were. It worked fine.

Russ from MN · Feb 22, 2016

I moved one a few years ago, about a 10x16, took a back road and met a deputy anyhow! He didn't bother me, I hauled it about 30 miles. I jacked it up with a high-lift jack and backed under it, then unbolted it from the house and pulled it the rest of the way on the trailer with a come-a-long.

jacksun65 · Feb 22, 2016

I moved a 30' deck using a hay wagon and loader no problem. the only thing I see that would cause a problem is the drop off of the hill. if the trailer is out of the way it would be a piece of cake.

Dave H (MI) · Feb 22, 2016

Like the others said, footing and pier. I would demo the trailer first and come at it from the uphill side with a BF loader tractor.

unclemerle · Feb 22, 2016

Find someone with a Lull and reach out and grab it. Use a lot of straps for an even lift.

Wheatfarmer · Feb 22, 2016

I moved one about that size several years ago. Cut it off at ground level. Bolted on some skids and braces,and pulled in when the ground was covered in ice. Even had a SMV sign on the back. YOUR ARE a farmer go for it.

ss55 · Feb 22, 2016

That is a good catch, I missed that. The 4 inch spacing was already code twenty five years ago and had been in place for some years before then. Codes may not matter if the house sells as part of a farm, but if it is ever sold off as an acreage the railings may have to be rebuilt before the buyer can get certain loans.

How old is the deck? If it's over thirty years old it is probably built with nails rather than screws. Lifting and hauling it will likely permanently loosen many of the nails. At that age some of the deck boards are probably getting punky on the cut ends too. You might be ahead to disassemble that deck and salvage what you can to build a new deck that better fits the new house.

Paul Janke · Feb 22, 2016

The first question I would ask is how far you need to go with it. I once moved a log building without a floor over a mile with just two logs under it lengthwise as skids. I held the front up with the three point hitch. It was about 3/4 of the way on gravel road, 1/4 mile on paved state highway. I did it when there was no snow or ice and I could smell the skids starting to burn, but I also went at the speed the tractor could accomplish, probably about 15 miles per hour. Your deck would be much lighter.

tomturkey · Feb 22, 2016

Can you waituntil the old house is removed? That slope out front looks like it will be the biggest obstacle to your move. Of course if it is attached to the house, you need to getitnow. You've shown us tougher projects than this. No problem for a creative mind such as yours. gobble

Blackhole49 · Feb 23, 2016

If you can get it loose from the house, take the steps off and rent a pontoon boat trailer, back it under level and raise it up and go. Pontoon trailers are narrow and have the lift mechanism built in.

kent@junction · Feb 23, 2016

we moved one like that when we moved to new house- jacked and blocked one end picked up the other with a loader and backed a Donahue implement trailer under it -set it down strapped it and away we went kj

JimIA · Feb 23, 2016

Not hair brained at all. Seen it done on several occasions. Didn't help so I cant give any pointers.

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