So my deck looked like crap after last winter, all green and slippery. Figured I better find someone to clean it before someone breaks their neck. Started googling stuff like "deck cleaning near me" and boy, that was a rabbit hole.

The Google Madness

Typed in those words and bam! First page filled with these fancy ads screaming "BEST DECK SERVICE!!!" Clicked three different ones. Filled out their little quote forms. Felt like I was signing my life away just to get a price. Phone started blowing up within minutes. Felt like vultures circling.

Here's the messy part:
• First dude quoted me $650 over the phone! Didn't even look at the deck. Just asked how big. Crazy.
• Second company sent a guy out. He barely looked at the deck, too busy texting. Said $500 minimum, maybe more for "stain prep." Smelled like cigarettes.
• Third one wanted me to book online for a "free consultation" next week. Next week? My deck’s growing its own ecosystem right now!

Got fed up with the big names. Switched up my search. Added "affordable" and "local." That’s when the real stuff popped up. Found some smaller outfits with actual customer photos, not stock images. Even saw a guy pressure washing a deck that looked just like mine two streets over!

Finding Dave's Guys

Messaged a place called "Dave's Deck Revival" (not real name obviously). No fancy website, just a Facebook page with messy before-and-afters and real people tagging them. Dave himself called back in 10 minutes. Talked normal, no sales nonsense. Asked if he could stop by later that afternoon. Showed up on time in a beat-up truck – good sign honestly.

Why I liked Dave:
• Walked around the whole deck, pointed out specific moss patches & mildewy spots I hadn't even seen.
• Didn't try to upsell me on staining or sealing, just cleaning. Knew I just laid new boards last year.
• Straight quote on the spot: $285 cash. Said "That's firm, pal. You won't find cheaper for this work."
• Told me his crew would smoke a little weed on their break but wouldn't leave any mess. Appreciated the honesty!

Checked his ancient Facebook page again. Found neighbors commenting stuff like "Dave saved my deck!" and "Quick and cheap." That did it for me. Booked him for two days later.

Showtime & Payment

Crew of two guys rolled up at 9 AM sharp. Big noisy pressure washer. They covered my bushes with tarps without me asking. Took them about 4 hours. I peeked out a few times. They were working hard, talking Spanish music blasting. Smelled like wet wood and clean… and yeah, a bit of weed at lunch break. They packed up all their hoses, swept off the sidewalk. Deck looked brand new! Bright wood color back, no more slime.

Dave stopped by after. Walked me around. Pointed to one spot where an old stain splotch didn’t fully come out (he warned me it might not). Paid him the $285 cash like we agreed. Offered Venmo or Cashapp too, but cash is king for these guys. Said he had three more decks just on my street to do that week. Local guy busy for a reason!

Lessons? Skip the big ad guys. Dig for the local Facebook warriors. Get them to actually come look. Talk price face-to-face. Paying cash money? That usually gets you $50 off right there. They showed up, did the work fast, cleaned up, and my deck looks amazing. Couldn’t care less about fancy websites anymore. Real people with messy trucks get my cash every time.