Plan Your Deck

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A contractor can help solidify plans for your deck, but you should have a good idea about the scope of the project yourself before contacting a pro. You'll want to consider some components of the job in advance, including the following:

• The deck's layout

• Number of stories

• Staircases and coverings

• Materials -- natural wood or man-made composite?

• The type of railings

• Fire pits, benches and other special features

Check reviews, recommendations and licensing
If friends or neighbors have recently had a deck built, ask about their experience, good or bad, and whether they'd recommend the contractor.

Interview deck builders
After the research phase, you should ideally narrow your list to three or four potential deck builders. Contact them, and ask the following:

• How long have you been in the business?

• Are you locally licensed?

• Are you insured?

• Can you provide me with the name of your insurance carrier?

• Do you offer a warranty on the work?

• Do you handle local permitting concerns?

• ...
... When could you start the project and how long do you think it will take?

• Do you always have a supervisor or owner on-site during the work?

• How comfortable are you working with the material I choose for my deck's construction?

• Can you give me a couple of references that I can contact?

Get a written estimate
From your short list, invite two or three deck builders out to the site and ask them to provide you with a written estimate of costs.

The estimate should include a detailed breakdown of materials separated from the hourly labor cost. It should also detail any landscaping work that might be included as well as whether the project includes clean up and hauling away of any debris.

Check your contractor's references
By now you should have a good idea of the contractor that ranks first on your list as well as a backup. Take some time and contact references, asking the following questions:

• What was the quality of the work they did?

• How professional was the crew?

• How closely did the final price match the estimate?

• Was the project completed in the time they specified?

• How would you rank the follow-up service, if provided?

Also, be sure to get a certificate of insurance directly from the carrier. Don't always trust what a contractor gives you because some disreputable companies can forge this.