How to Choose a Deck Contractor

Conduct substantial research before making your final contractor decision.

Choosing the right contractor to build your deck is one of the most important decisions in the entire deck-building process. The quality of your contractor determines the time necessary to build the deck, the final cost and the quality of the end product. As such, you need to conduct as much research as you can before making your final decision. Use online and personal resources to make an informed final decision. You can save yourself a headache in the future by putting in a little extra work now to ensure you end up with the best quality product.

Instructions

1. Narrow your list of possible contractors by first eliminating contractors with minimal experience. You want someone with at least 10 years of experience for a couple reasons. First, the long experience should translate into a better quality product. Second, a long track record produces a verifiable history you can research to make your final determination.

2. Evaluate quotes, either those gathered over the Internet or by phone with the contractor. The more quotes you get, the more accurate picture of what you should be paying for the project emerges. This gives you some information to weed out contractors that charge too much or too little for the job.

3. Research the contractors you determined charged a reasonable rate for their work to ensure they are licensed and fully insured. You want your contractor to have both these qualifications in case an accident occurs on your property during the construction.

4. Ask friends and family about the contractors, or ask the contractors for referrals. First-hand accounts give you the best insight on how the contractor will likely work with you. Further, these accounts let you know how much the contractor stays involved in the construction as opposed to subcontracting the work.

5. Gauge the personality of the contractor to see how well the contractor works with you. Personality conflicts can cause the construction time to lag. Because deck construction is costly, you need to make sure you create a situation where everything can run smoothly. Choosing a contractor who works with you well helps ensure a positive outcome. This also makes the contract negotiation process easier on all parties.

References

• Consumer Reports: Choosing a Contractor
• Tailor Decks: How to Choose and Atlanta Deck Contractor