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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 12:01:13 AM

Title: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 12:01:13 AM
When my wife and I decided to move to the south, one of the prerequisites for a house was that it have a porch so that she could have a "true" southern home. Well, as it turns out, the house we bought does not have a wraparound porch or even a long porch. It has an attractive brick arch over a cove that is the front stoop.

My wife said that she'd take a gazebo in place of the porch. I think she was kidding when she said it, but I've been looking online. They are not cheap. Lowes has an assemble-it-yourself model for $1800, but that's just for the wooden gazebo. The concrete slab (or whatever floor is used) is not included.

Prices go up from there.

A few weeks ago I went shooting at a range about 70 miles from here and passed a house that had a gazebo in the front yard with a for sale sign on it. I called the owner, and he's a woodworker (amongst other things), and builds gazebo's. This one is a demo model, so it's not painted. He said he'd sell it to me for $1000 plus the cost to get it to my place on a trailer. We haven't figured out what that cost will be.

I took a trip over there today to inspect it again. It's solid, but it doesn't have some of the fancy decorative wood pieces that the box store models have.

So. I'm trying to figure out what to offer the guy. I've never bought a gazebo before. The photo before is from today.

Any suggestions as to what to offer?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gunshopfinder.com%2Fgazebo.jpg&hash=297798279c3dc7a5cdae4f6fc87ceddbec2d9f5b)
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Northwoods on December 12, 2010, 12:06:52 AM
I'd probably offer $1000 delivered.

Other than that, I have nothing to add.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: AJ Dual on December 12, 2010, 12:12:52 AM
Luckily, octagonal structures are pretty easy.. it's all 45 degree cuts.  =D
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 12:30:15 AM
I only ask all this because I have no experience buying a gazebo or, for that matter, any wooden piece of exterior  construction except a house. I don't know how many hours it took to build, nor the material costs.

I know it's a shot in the dark to ask about this, but with the sometimes surprising range of experience here on APS, it's possible we have a gazebo expert.

AJ, I flunked wood shop. The instructor gave me a D so as not to screw up my chances for a scholarship.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas on December 12, 2010, 12:36:07 AM
Quote
It's solid, but it doesn't have some of the fancy decorative wood pieces that the box store models have.
You mean lattice?

1k sounds reasonable. Otherwise you would spend a great deal of time and copious profanity in building that thing.

Luckily, octagonal structures are pretty easy.. it's all 45 degree cuts.  =D
This, like the cake, is a lie. :lol:
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: AJ Dual on December 12, 2010, 12:48:18 AM
Does it matter? I knew he has zero intention of making one.  :laugh:

Fine 22 1/2 degrees then. $99 miter saw from Home Despot will have a setting for it in it's swivel fence.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Chester32141 on December 12, 2010, 12:51:11 AM
I have experience w/carpentry and I believe it could be built for less than $500 by a newbie and I'll bet you could find a precut kit for about that local to your area ... jmho
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 12:55:36 AM
Well, this is probably what it would look like if I made it and did a good job, even if the pieces were pre-cut. ;)

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cs.ou.edu%2F%7Ehougen%2Ffishpics%2FTreeFort_small.png&hash=83a7b222f4120a6ab5f8b342a8593522a45cbcbd)
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Northwoods on December 12, 2010, 01:04:07 AM
You must be related to my wife's cousin.  He's trying to build a gazebo/hot tub enclosure.  It's not been going well.  Good thing there's other cousins/uncles that actually know what the heck they're doing with construction.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 01:20:16 AM
Quote
You must be related to my wife's cousin.  He's trying to build a gazebo/hot tub enclosure.  It's not been going well.  Good thing there's other cousins/uncles that actually know what the heck they're doing with construction.

If your wife is the cousin to one of the sons of my mother's sisters, you may be on to something. ;)

The guy told me he had $1100 in materials in the thing. I may not be able to hammer two boards together, but I've seen lumber prices, and know that there's not $1100 in lumber in that thing. If the guy is doing it for a living, though, he has to make something on the deal.

I still have to figure out how to take down part of our fence to get it in the backyard. Before I get to that point, though, I have to figure out how to be 100% certain my wife will like it. I'm 99% certain, but it's that 1% that always trips me up.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Harold Tuttle on December 12, 2010, 08:30:01 AM
IMHO that one is not big enough for more than 3 people

if you are in there in the rain, theres no overhang either
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Harold Tuttle on December 12, 2010, 08:31:23 AM
check out this badboy:
http://www.vadeck.com/Deck-Porch-Guide1.htm

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vadeck.com%2Fimages%2F14%2527-Victorian-Bandstand-Gazebo-%26amp%3B-Double-Roof.jpg&hash=a95fda4950892971180731910a1b5a88e686bf6c)
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 12, 2010, 09:10:40 AM
check out this badboy:
http://www.vadeck.com/Deck-Porch-Guide1.htm

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vadeck.com%2Fimages%2F14%2527-Victorian-Bandstand-Gazebo-%26amp%3B-Double-Roof.jpg&hash=a95fda4950892971180731910a1b5a88e686bf6c)

did a nice one from an amish built company like that  14 foot across   prepainted with screens and a door  pre wired for fan and light.  the kit was 5600 bucks delivered 7 years ago  and it was very nice  a bargain
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: 280plus on December 12, 2010, 09:17:21 AM
Well, this is probably what it would look like if I made it and did a good job, even if the pieces were pre-cut. ;)

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cs.ou.edu%2F%7Ehougen%2Ffishpics%2FTreeFort_small.png&hash=83a7b222f4120a6ab5f8b342a8593522a45cbcbd)
Where'd you find the pic of my old tree fort?  :lol:

I'd say $1000 seems fair to me. It looks like it's all pressure treated. I can't recall anymore. Old PT is bad but the new stuff is ok? What was it, arsenic they were using?

Don't you have any gazebo/shed manufacturring places near you? Like a bigger shop might have more of a selection, better prices etc.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 11:36:47 AM
Those $5000+ gazebos are really nice, but waaaayyyyy outside my price range.

280plus, near as I can tell there aren't any places in the area that make gazebos, although I'll look on Monday. This guy I found is the only one so far.

It will obviously look much nicer with paint, and I can add some decorative pieces if need be.

I guess starting at $1000 delivered would be a good idea. Even if there's $200-$300 in materials in the thing (which is possible), that leaves $700-$800 for delivery and his labor. Figure $200 for delivery and he's making $500 to $600. That's not a lot. Hell, I know I'd wind up paying someone that much to assemble one of the DIY models from Lowes.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 12, 2010, 12:12:01 PM
Those $5000+ gazebos are really nice, but waaaayyyyy outside my price range.

280plus, near as I can tell there aren't any places in the area that make gazebos, although I'll look on Monday. This guy I found is the only one so far.

It will obviously look much nicer with paint, and I can add some decorative pieces if need be.

I guess starting at $1000 delivered would be a good idea. Even if there's $200-$300 in materials in the thing (which is possible), that leaves $700-$800 for delivery and his labor. Figure $200 for delivery and he's making $500 to $600. That's not a lot. Hell, I know I'd wind up paying someone that much to assemble one of the DIY models from Lowes.

the 4 x4 uprights are about 10 bucks apiece  premium deckboards are aboot 1.50 - 1.25 a linear foot
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: CNYCacher on December 12, 2010, 01:23:59 PM
Even if there's $200-$300 in materials in the thing (which is possible)

 ???

There's $200-$300 in material before you get a foot off the dirt.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 01:29:44 PM
Quote
There's $200-$300 in material before you get a foot off the dirt.

See? I told you I was a genius with wood. ;)
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: 280plus on December 12, 2010, 02:40:39 PM
See? I told you I was a genius with wood. ;)
hey nowwww...  :O

Some thing are better left unsaid.  =D
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Larry Ashcraft on December 12, 2010, 03:02:06 PM
Here's one my dad built back in the 1980s:

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi33.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fd59%2Flsashcraft%2FDSCN8256.jpg&hash=4eeba2db5d978e767b79b952a9e6fb47e9e02598)

The columns were salvaged from an old hospital, the rest he built from scratch.  This was a man who built houses as a hobby though.  This picture was taken at mom's estate auction back in June.

The house is still for sale if someone wants a ready-made gazebo.  =D

Oh, and I imagine it would cost more than $1000 to build this one.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: CNYCacher on December 12, 2010, 03:11:05 PM
Here's one my dad built back in the 1980s:

My dad helped build this one in the 80's:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.945193,-76.429664&spn=0.002745,0.008256&t=h&z=18&lci=com.panoramio.all&layer=c&cbll=42.945559,-76.43004&panoid=RYxGLjWQy59rOzndXlexZg&cbp=12,127.98128000000003,,0,0&photoid=po-2570764
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 03:13:03 PM
Larry, CNYCacher, those are both beautiful. Your fathers are artisans.

 
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: 280plus on December 12, 2010, 04:27:46 PM
I like the use of old stuff. Once there was this old house and barn being torn town. In the backyard was the original outhouse and next to it were these 2 - 10' long ~2' diameter red stone columns just laying in the grass. We concluded they were like a poured terra cotta. There was all kind of talk of salvaging them but I didn't stick around long enough at that job to see what became of them. I do recall making big points with the head cheese. He asked me, "Is there anything over there that might look good on my lawn?" I said, Well, there's this outhouse..."  :laugh:

Yea, I'm good for stuff like that. I'm trying to do better. It's a matter of engage brain THEN mouth sometimes. I do have fun though.  >:D
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: erictank on December 12, 2010, 05:02:08 PM
Just make sure you get the right one... http://www.dreadgazebo.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8

Vocabulary are our friend...  :laugh: "What's a gazebo?"
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Waitone on December 12, 2010, 05:08:52 PM
Dick, since you've bit off on the southron thingy pretty bad you might as well go all in and plan for a hot tub.  Typically a hot tub is on the porch adjacent to you trailer but since you've gone upscale I think you can get a waver on your southron card for going with a gazebo.  The only adder you'll need is a gun rack and a short fridge for beer and such.  =D

I seem to remember PBS' Yankee Workshop This Old House did a series on building a gazebo.  If I remember correctly it was not something for ham-fisted artisans.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,322701,00.html
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas on December 12, 2010, 05:35:43 PM
Quote
Dick, since you've bit off on the southron thingy pretty bad you might as well go all in and plan for a hot tub.  Typically a hot tub is on the porch adjacent to you trailer but since you've gone upscale I think you can get a waver on your southron card for going with a gazebo.  The only adder you'll need is a gun rack and a short fridge for beer and such.
No! He's got to stick the hot tub inside the gazebo.  =D
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 05:41:06 PM
Once we're settled in for a year or so my wife wants a 3' concrete statue of a confederate soldier. She saw one in front of a home in another area and really liked it. To do it now, though, would seem like pandering. ;)

I've seen enough of the trailers to really feel bad for some of the people who have to live in them. There's areas here where the poverty is worse than in the ghetto in Milwaukee.

Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: 280plus on December 12, 2010, 06:36:07 PM
Just make sure you get the right one... http://www.dreadgazebo.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8

Vocabulary are our friend...  :laugh: "What's a gazebo?"
:lol:
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Scout26 on December 12, 2010, 08:37:23 PM
Once we're settled in for a year or so my wife wants a 3' concrete statue of a confederate soldier. She saw one in front of a home in another area and really liked it. To do it now, though, would seem like pandering. ;)

NO, you need a Yankee Soldier !!!

Don't let them damn Reb's get to you !!!!   Remind 'em who won !!!!
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 11:06:30 PM
Quote
Don't let them damn Reb's get to you !!!!   Remind 'em who won !!!!

My wife's been rooting for the Reb's all her life. ;)
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: AJ Dual on December 12, 2010, 11:18:14 PM
Once we're settled in for a year or so my wife wants a 3' concrete statue of a confederate soldier. She saw one in front of a home in another area and really liked it. To do it now, though, would seem like pandering. ;)

I've seen enough of the trailers to really feel bad for some of the people who have to live in them. There's areas here where the poverty is worse than in the ghetto in Milwaukee.



Northern climates seem to be a filter on the lower level of poverty possible. At least in terms of shelter.

Just drove down to Memphis last weekend for a wedding of a relative, and on the interstate, the lower bound of trailers and shacks that appeared to actually be inhabited definitely raised a notch each state we drove south.

Another thing I found interesting were trailers with shed roofs constructed over them to keep them dry, rather than try to move, replace, or repair the actual trailer.

And the other different thing is the land use patterns. You'll see these shacks and trailers, and (almost) right next door will be a 5000 sqft+ house with horses etc. on the same road.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: sanglant on December 12, 2010, 11:21:43 PM
bloody gay zebras, there every where i tell you. [tinfoil]







but really think about a chimney(AKA, some vents) in the middle in case you want to set you're grill/smoker in the thing where it's raining. =D
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 12, 2010, 11:26:54 PM
Quote
And the other different thing is the land use patterns. You'll see these shacks and trailers, and (almost) right next door will be a 5000 sqft+ house with horses etc. on the same road.

Same thing here. A really run-down shack or trailer across the road from a new 4,000 sq. foot home with a stable and pasture. Weird.

And, of course, across the road from one of those gay zebras. ;)
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Doggy Daddy on December 13, 2010, 12:11:12 AM
bloody gay zebras, there every where i tell you. [tinfoil]

OH! Gay Zebras!  And all along I thought we were talking about Mabs's archery gear.

DD
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Scout26 on December 13, 2010, 12:41:34 AM
My wife's been rooting for the Reb's all her life. ;)

Did you tell her that they lost, and that it ain't gonna change ??
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: 280plus on December 13, 2010, 04:48:54 PM
Here's a staue of a union soldier I bet you could have for a song. I see him quite a bit actually.

http://www.ctmuseumquest.com/?page_id=4913
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: AJ Dual on December 13, 2010, 04:53:15 PM
I had to look for a bit before I realized his hand was busted off, and not in the fly of his pants..  :laugh:
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: cassandra and sara's daddy on December 13, 2010, 05:05:40 PM
the gazebo i built taught me a trick.  4x4 are notorious for twisting etc as they  dry out  the amish used 2 2x4 with a 1x4 in between glued up with water proof glue  they stay straight
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: 280plus on December 13, 2010, 08:23:28 PM
I had to look for a bit before I realized his hand was busted off, and not in the fly of his pants..  :laugh:
I must admit I never caught that before. Good one!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas on December 13, 2010, 08:49:50 PM
I had to look for a bit before I realized his hand was busted off, and not in the fly of his pants..  :laugh:
When you've got to wash your hands but have no water, you have to make do.   =D
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: White Horseradish on December 14, 2010, 09:07:28 PM
I got curious and went looking for the etymology of the word gazebo. Apparently, nobody knows where it came from. No European language has a similar word.
Title: Re: Help me buy a gazebo
Post by: Marnoot on December 14, 2010, 09:11:29 PM
I got curious and went looking for the etymology of the word gazebo. Apparently, nobody knows where it came from. No European language has a similar word.

Couple ideas here: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=gazebo But yeah, only educated guesses.