WHEN IT'S BETTER than good enough, it is exactly the way it’s supposed to be. Photos provided by Gordon South.
Six-Figure Decking Tips Gordon South’s Wood Bully videos have become a favorite among builders on Instagram and Tik Tok with each video starting off with his iconic “Pay Attention, Brian.” As a six-figure deck builder who averages six projects a year, South has set himself apart on social media by offering his tips on everything from how to achieve a fastener-free look with CAMO Marksman Pro tool edge screws to avoiding screwing down on the face of decking boards. Recently, he shared with our readers how he approaches his projects.
1. Do Your Research
I know it seems obvious that you need to do some research, but you’d be surprised how big of a difference it makes when you do the research in terms of the actual product so you have a good understanding, and you have the ability to make a responsible choice for whether you are going to use something like PVC, composite, or natural wood, hardwood, or cedar so you don’t regret your purchase. Just make sure that if you are going to invest the money into materials, you’re doing something that you won’t regret. To do the research, you have to build connect-
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| Deck Specialist | Spring 2022
ions and network. I use social media and other people who I’ve known in the industry for a long time. I ask around. And every year something new comes around, so it’s important to be on top of and searching for new products, tools, methods, and ideas for your designs. I put countless hours into research. I’m constantly thinking about it.
2. Plan the Project
If you are running the business, write everything down, every idea, everything that you know will make a difference time-wise that you need to know. Take notes, something as simple as when the electrician is coming and how much money you are going to have to pay him. You’re going to need to write that down because you won’t remember in three months when the day comes. I imagine myself as a conductor and I need to plan every phase of the build and every subcontractor to be able to work harmoniously together like a symphony where each different instrument starts playing when it’s supposed to so they can all play one song. You can’t do one thing before another, or you will find yourself doing the same thing twice and it will cost you a
