Renovopedia

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative articles and news from Renovopedia about Home Improvments.

    What's Hot

    6 Favorites: Sturdy, Old-Fashioned “Grandmother-Style” Cotton Sheets for Winter (or Any Other Season)

    February 3, 2023

    7 Favorite Winter Reads from the Editors

    February 3, 2023

    Before and After: An Abandoned House Redone—With Eco Materials and Plenty of Color

    February 3, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
    RenovopediaRenovopedia
    Demo
    • Home
    • News
    • Trending
    • Ideas

      7 Master Bedroom Designs With Stylish Style And Functional Features

      January 27, 2023

      Why is Garage Door maintenance essential?

      January 17, 2023

      5 Ways To Improve Your Flooring

      December 22, 2022

      Ideas to revamp and reorganise your garage

      December 22, 2022

      The Benefits Of Cleaning Your Windows Regularly

      November 30, 2022
    • Videos

      Water In Electrical Panel! Easy Fix? #Short

      March 30, 2022

      Working on My House LIVE! | Framing Door Openings

      March 23, 2022

      Framing a Wall With Angles Over Stair Bulkhead

      March 22, 2022

      Framing Bedroom/Hall Closet | Adding Basement Stair Headroom

      March 17, 2022

      Fixing Hacked Floor Framing | Straightening Kitchen Floor… Kinda

      March 8, 2022
    • Interior Remodel
    • Painting
    • Kitchen
    • More
      • Skills & Specialties
      • Exterior Remodel
      • Bathroom
      • Outdoor Building
      • Green Improvements
      • Home Services
    Renovopedia
    Home » How to Hire a Contractor to Build a Deck

    How to Hire a Contractor to Build a Deck

    December 6, 2022No Comments Home Services
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Tumblr Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Adding a deck to your home can provide you with a space to socialize, relax and eat with friends and family. But before you can enjoy your deck, you’ll need to hire a contractor to build it. Learn the basics of hiring a contractor to build a deck so that the project goes smoothly and efficiently, and so you end up with the deck of your dreams.

    Demo

    What to Consider Before Hiring a Deck Contractor

    Unless you want to hire a designer, you’ll need to come up with a reasonable idea of what you want to be included in your project. Above all, you’ll want to set a budget so you know precisely how much you can afford. Some things you’ll want to consider when planning a deck:

    Deck Size

    Rough dimensions will clue you into what’s possible and impossible to include in your deck. It will also give the contractor a clear idea of the scope of the project from the start.

    Deck Levels

    Do you want a single expanse or multiple levels? Are you considering two deck areas connected by a passageway deck or stairs? Will the deck lead down to a pool or garden? Extra deck levels will increase the cost of the deck.

    Deck Flooring Materials

    Pressure-treated wood used to be the only choice for flooring for an outdoor deck. But the wide variety of materials available today gives you enormous latitude in composition as well as appearance.

    Pressure-treated wood is still a very popular choice, but wood-composite decking is becoming increasingly popular. Some are made completely of plastic, while others blend wood fibers with polymer bonding agents.

    Extra Deck Features

    Would you like a fire pit? A water feature? Built-in seating or planting areas? Metal, wood, or composite railings?

    Make a list of what you can and cannot live without in a deck, and work it out with your contractor.

    How to Find a Contractor to Build a Deck

    With the budget and your ideas in place, it’s time to find a contractor. The best way to find a decking contractor—in fact, any contractor—is to ask friends, neighbors, and colleagues for recommendations because a contractor’s reputation among former clients is the best gauge of his work.

    HomeAdvisor is another good source for decking contractors. HomeAdvisor’s real-world Cost Guides help you see what other homeowners have paid for their decks. Angi (formerly Angie’s List) is another source for information about decking contractors. Plus, you’ll be able to connect with the contractors online before meeting them.

    Questions to Ask a Contractor

    • How many deck projects have you built?
    • Who will handle any required permits?
    • Who will contact the public utilities and have underground lines marked?
    • May I visit a site you’re currently working on or have worked on previously?
    • How early and late in the day will workers be here?
    • What would the payment schedule be like?
    • What type of insurance do you carry?
    • What happens if you discover something unforeseen? Will a change order cover this?
    • What is the amount of the deposit?

    Getting an Estimate from a Deck Contractor 

    • Deck estimates should be given to you in writing.
    • The work to be done should be written in detail.
    • A rendering of the deck project should be included.
    • The specific materials to be used for the deck and quantities should be inventoried.
    • A time frame should be given for the work to be completed.
    • An estimate of the price should be written down.

    Tip

    Check the deck contractor’s references. Ask homeowners on the reference list if you can visit and see the work that was done.

    Speaking With Former Clients

    It’s also a good idea to look at the work a contractor has done for previous clients. It’s not always possible to talk to clients, but some may be interested in speaking.

    • Did your contractor finish the job within the budget? If not, what caused the overage?
    • Were you informed of the costs as they came up?
    • How did the contractor handle setbacks or glitches?
    • Did those setbacks or glitches seem inevitable? Or did they come completely out of nowhere?
    • Was the deck contractor easy to work with?
    • What was the contractor’s crew like? Were they respectful? Did they clean up after themselves each day?
    • If plans changed while the work was in progress, were the changes accommodated, or was the contractor inflexible?
    • Would you hire that contractor again?

    Deck Contractor Red Flags

    Steer clear of any deck contractor who:

    • Requires that you pay all of the money upfront
    • Pressures you for an immediate commitment
    • Doesn’t have or cannot provide proof of insurance
    • Is not licensed
    • Requires you to get the necessary permits
    • Has no portfolio of other decks built

    Source: The Spruce

    Demo
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit VKontakte Telegram WhatsApp

    Related Posts

    How to Find a Good Plumber

    December 7, 2022 Home Services

    Devices to Prevent Car Theft

    November 13, 2022 Home Services

    Vivint Smart Home Security Review

    November 13, 2022 Home Services

    How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

    November 13, 2022 Home Services

    Get Car Smart by Protecting Your Tires and Wheels

    November 13, 2022 Home Services

    What Does “Plumb” Mean in Construction?

    February 9, 2022 Home Services
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Demo
    Don't Miss

    5 Reasons Why You Should Install A Smart Sprinkler System

    Ideas June 1, 2022

    A home automation system that may be utilized to automatically water your garden is called…

    7 Tips on Custom Home Remodeling

    September 19, 2022

    Is Your Home Properly Insured?

    June 20, 2022

    What a She Shed Is—and What One Can Do for You

    November 28, 2021
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Latest Articles

    6 Favorites: Sturdy, Old-Fashioned “Grandmother-Style” Cotton Sheets for Winter (or Any Other Season)

    February 3, 2023

    7 Favorite Winter Reads from the Editors

    February 3, 2023

    Before and After: An Abandoned House Redone—With Eco Materials and Plenty of Color

    February 3, 2023

    Wallpaper Everywhere All at Once

    February 2, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative articles and news from Renovopedia about Home Improvements.

    Demo
    Our Picks

    6 Favorites: Sturdy, Old-Fashioned “Grandmother-Style” Cotton Sheets for Winter (or Any Other Season)

    February 3, 2023

    7 Favorite Winter Reads from the Editors

    February 3, 2023

    Before and After: An Abandoned House Redone—With Eco Materials and Plenty of Color

    February 3, 2023
    About Us
    About Us

    Renovopedia is the premier source for home improvement news and articles. We provide the latest news and articles for homeowners looking to find inspiration, solutions, tips, and ideas to prepare your home for sale or turn it into your dream home.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: hello@renovopedia.com
    Contact: +1-320-0123-451

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn
    Popular

    How to Build a DIY Slide in Your Backyard

    November 28, 2021

    Comparison Of Different Roofing Materials

    December 14, 2021

    Cleaning a Record with Wood Glue!?

    November 13, 2019
    © 2023 Renovopedia. All Rights Reserved.
    • Home
    • News
    • Trending
    • Videos
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Contact

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.