If you’re thinking about adding an outdoor living space to your home, there are lots of things to consider before deciding which deck contractor to employ. What kind of deck do you want to add to your home? What type of climate do you live in and what types of weather will your deck have to withstand? Which contractors in your area have the most experience building the type of deck you want?
To help you make the right decision, here are five important questions to ask any potential deck contractor.
Perhaps the most critical question you can ask your deck contractor is whether or not they are licensed and insured. Make sure you hire a contractor who has active liability insurance coverage for their team. And sure, you might have some family members that are handy and think they can build a deck for you. But the deck contractor you hire should have an up to date company license (which your cousin probably doesn’t have). That way, you can rest assured that your new home addition is safe, secure, and built by experienced and credentialed professionals.
In many cases, acquiring permits is a frustrating but essential step to building an outdoor living space. Your deck contractor should be able to tell you if your project requires building permits and which permits they will need to obtain. Ask your contractor if they handle applying for deck permits or if they can guide you through the process.
Ask your contractor what materials they build with, and what decking they think would be the best suited for your project. Is traditional wood decking the best option for your project and the climate you live in? Or perhaps composite decking better suits your needs. Discuss with your contractor and they can share their expertise in the area, as well as share tips and tricks for deck maintenance.
There are a variety of reasons why a construction project might fall off track, such as bad weather, labor or material shortages, or payment delays. Talk with your deck contractor to ensure that their proposed project timeline addresses any time restrictions you have. Ask them for a general overview of their building process, an estimated project timeline, and any contingency plans they have for mishaps and delays.
Online review tools like Yelp and Angi use customer reviews to generate a general public consensus on local business operations. Once you have narrowed down your choices for a deck contractor, you can ask potential builders for references from past customers, as well as do your own research into their public customer satisfaction. But nothing beats a word of mouth recommendation; if you have a friend or neighbor whose deck you like, talk with them to learn about their experience with their contractor.
Selecting a deck contractor is a big decision! Simply do your research and due diligence before making your choice, so you can feel comfortable, confident, and excited about your deck building project.
Whitmer Decks has served Northern Virginia for 20 years, providing high-quality customer service and construction expertise to hundreds of satisfied clients. From decks to patios to pavilions, we are here to help you turn your dream outdoor living area into a reality.
Contact us today to tell us about your project and get a free estimate.
