I've heard this frequently and don't understand it. Say you select materials that are the same in dimension but 20% more. Why isn't the adjusted bid $1,800 and $1,500?

Often times it can be because sometimes the more expensive material is harder to work with. Ipe and a lot of the SA hardwoods, it's recommended to pre-drill before any screws are put in. They also sometimes require (or highly suggest) stainless steel hardware, etc.

I hate it when my wife pulls that s##t on me too.
Great job!

biosurfer1 hit the nail on the head (so to speak) :)

Plastic decking is all the rage here. It has hidden fasteners that hold the bottom edge of the decking down and then the next piece is also held by it. PIA to install, but looks very nice. Takes 3X as long to install against a typical wood deck (2 X 6 or 5/4ths) but the material is more expensive too. So the formula still stands.

Anytime I have done a deck for someone I collect 1/2 the day I start and the second half when I'm done. That way I always get paid for my materials. Never had to worry about the second half. :)

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You do good work, Mr. On the hardscape too. Quite nice!
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My simple Redwood deck...took me well over a month to complete.
First pic is after a rain.
Second pic is sanding after 10 years...(just prior to selling). Then treated with Cabot's clear.
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1530266603.jpg
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1530266635.jpg

My sisters 24x14 synthetic board deck with 6 steps down to an 8x8 landing with 6 more steps to ground cost $17,000. This included demo of the same layout in rotten wood a new ledger board and eight concrete piers with wood posts.
It was done by a crew of fireman who moonlight.
I thought that was expensive but after looking at it not so much. It is really quality construction.

The guy who I worked for building decks and fences company was called "Moonlight Fences and Decks" :)