Have a 40ft deck I'm excluding where skunks have been digging under the slab and the customer doesn't want to deal with it again. Skunks are gone and I'm going to give them an estimate on the exclusion along the slab but also wanted to quote them a price on closing in the whole opening under the deck. I've used pressure treated lattice before with buried hardware cloth on the bottom but never on this large a scale. Other than 3/4 PT plywood does anyone have any other ideas on closing this large an area?

Thanks,
HJ

Here is a pic.

lattice backed with buried wire

Can't tell for sure in the picture but I get the impression that it may be a rustic home. If so, I think used, slightly rusty tin looks great. I plan to put it under my screen porch if I ever get time. They also make a fake stone product that might not be bad or as ritrapper said...lattice.

Run a horizontal 2x4 between the vertical posts, 28" down from the top. Attach a 28"x8' section of stucco mesh. Repeat until you get to the bottom. When done, cover with lattice.

I would go to the ground with whatever the customer wanted to pay for. If I used lattice I would go up at least 2 feet behind the lattice with 1/2 by 1/2 wire. It seems like rabbits or something is always chewing the lattice out and the next thing you know ol Jed's a millionaire and a skunk or opossum has starting going thru. The most important part is what u have been doing burying that wire at the ground. I would also make a drawing of the way u layed and attached the wire so in a couple years when they remodel or add a stairway and something gets under you can refresh your memory because they may be hesitant to mention or admit the changes.
Then throw a bunch of moth balls under the deck for back up!


Just kidding about the moth balls.

We just did a job like that. We used 1/2" hardware cloth, but it was back in, away from the edge and not where direct sun would hit it so you couldn't see it. Maybe they like the look of the open deck so this might be an option.

If you can keep the skunks far enough out that they don't feel comfortable living under there it's still a successful exclusion.

Great tip!

I hear ya...all about what the customer wants. that hill continues to slant up under the deck until it hits the slab and there is about a 10" space under where the deck hits the house so i'd much rather dig trench out in the open and cover with lattice but I'll do whatever the person writing the check wants me to do!
BTW..because of it being discussed so much I'm including Add Ons on a seperate estimate to every customer. Only takes another few minutes to find them and whether the customer takes advantage or not they'll still remember who told em!

Ah heck just foam it.... Right pesky nuts?

"BTW..because of it being discussed so much I'm including Add Ons on a seperate estimate to every customer. Only takes another few minutes to find them and whether the customer takes advantage or not they'll still remember who told em![/quote]

This is my approach as well.

Whoa now on the separate add on estimates. Be very careful just how you word it and approach it with your client. Do it wrong and they'll hear the cash register ringing loud and clear and run you off from all the work. Do it right and you got a friend for life.
I get my share of "the last guy here quoted way to much" jobs to see guys trying to sell a Mercedes when a Chevy will do. Of course with a little tweaking that Chevy leaves the lot a little better than stock.
Add ons are the name of the game but social skills must come first.

I'm not approaching the add ons till the exclusion work is done and I don't think anyone can touch my price.