Deck question

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/4e417ab9b594f-.jpg

I’ve recently moved to Prospect Heights and found an apartment.  When viewing, the landlord said that if we desired, for an extra $200 a month they would build a deck.  The apartment is on the 2nd floor, so the deck would be on the first floor extention, about 12×8 feet.  When we saw the apartment when this was proposed, all that was on the 1st floor extension was some black flooring and a small (half a foot) wall.

When we moved in, the deck wasn’t ready, apparently lots of issues with contractors.  After the first week, we were told that the deck was ready.  What the workers had done was raise the wall to about 2.5 feet high, add some brick post type things, and stuccoed the walls.  The workers are all still working on the back of the house, adding what seems to be lots of layers of concrete and what looks to be styrafoam to the 1st floor unit (the landlord’s unit).

My question is this – when we heard deck, I thought at least there would be a wooden deck floor, but the same black floor remains.  All that seems to have been done is the wall and stucco.  Add to that, both of these things have seemed to have been done shoddily.  There are spots missing stucco, the top of the wall has gaps in places where it meets the posts, etc.  The black floor(not sure what it is) now has stucco and concrete residue stuck to it in patches and spots.  Since I do not know how much it costs to add a simple deck, is $2,500 fair for this?  To me, it looks unfinished but if this is the norm, I just wanted to know. Happy to have an outdoor space, but just wanted to get some info.

xanthiner

in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 8 months ago

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bowl-of-dicks | 13 years and 8 months ago

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The roofing material in the photo is not intended to be walked on, nor deck furniture, nor anything else for that matter. Your LL is jeapardizing the roof’s integrity by allowing you to occupy it. I realize it was his idea to put this in for you (for additional rent) but please make sure you put in writing that ANY damage to roof membrane and/or leaks into his owner apartment are not your fault. Judging by that photograph, this probably doesn’t know any better.

jameskoster | 13 years and 8 months ago

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xanthiner – that is not a wear surface — only a roof, and without a railing or something at guardrail height, it’s not a legal deck, either.  I’m stunned that your landlord thought this was such a simple undertaking.  As for what to put down, you might be able to buy a cheap roll of outdoor carpet.

Good luck!

brooklynjennie | 13 years and 8 months ago

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It is illegal to grill on that. It is roofing material and flammable.
From the picture, I can’t imagine they are finished.  I would not expect a wooden deck floor. You can get some wood tiles from Ikea and put them on their to make it nicer.