Building a deck is a fun, but also a complex process. These constrictions will make your home look better, and they will provide an additional space for you to use, and more and more people are choosing to place these installations on their properties.
There are many different types of decking, and if you’ve decided to build one, you should know that the quality of the installation is as important as the type and materials you choose. In this article, we are going to talk about contractors, and how to ensure you are choosing the right decking company. Continue reading if you want to learn how to do your research, how to choose the company, and how to vet them even before you sign a contract.
1. Do you know what you want?
Before choosing the right contractor, you should think about what you want. Some people have an exact idea and they know the materials they want to use, type of deck, and everything in between. On the other hand, there are people who know that they want a decking, but they don’t have any idea of what they want and how they want it to be done.
If you already have a plan, then you should look for someone who can execute perfectly, and if you don’t know what you want, then you need a contractor who will help you out with the whole process, and then, execute it perfectly.
2. Look for someone with good referrals
Choosing the right company to build your deck is not as difficult as it sounds, and you can easily find the right service just by looking for referrals both online and offline. Talk to your friends who own houses and who already have this type of installation.
Ask them what their experience was like with the service that installed their units, and if there are any mistakes that they wish they didn’t make. On the same note, ask them if they have someone they would like to refer or someone that they would advise you to steer away from.
If you don’t know anyone who has a deck in their homes, then you should go online and look for recommendations. Social media platforms are a great way to look for companies, and you can join groups, or follow conversations on the topic. Know that you will see a lot of paid advertisements, but just because there is an ad, it does not mean that the company is terrible, or amazing. Listen to users, not just marketing strategies.
3. Schedule a meeting
Once you have several contractors on your mind, you should schedule a meeting with them, and see them face to face to talk about your needs and their expertise. You don’t have to meet with every single contractor you come across, and you can easily conduct phone interviews.
When you call them to schedule a meeting, you can ask them some basic questions, ask them if they have experience with all the materials available, if they specialize in a specific type of decking, and if they have all the needed permits and certificates.
All of these things can be learned on their websites as well, so you can save a lot of time just by checking the sites of all the companies you are considering before you schedule a meeting with them.
As you can see on websites like https://decksforlife.ca/, professional contractors should state the materials they are working with, give you more information on the quote, and show off images of their latest projects.
If you cannot find the information you are looking for online, then you can send a message to their customer support, or just call them and ask your questions.
4. Consider your budget and get an estimate
No matter which project you are tackling, you need to have an idea about your budget. Know that building a deck is not something that will cost 100 dollars, but on the same note, it won’t be extremely expensive as well.
Depending on the material you choose, the size of the construction, as well as your location, you will need to pay between 10 and 40 dollars per square foot. Experts suggest that usually, these units cost between 4 and 10 thousand dollars.
Think about how much money you have to invest in this, and later on, you should ask for an estimate from the companies you’ve chosen. Some of the places already have a built-in quote calculator on their websites, and you can get a rough estimate on how much would the project take.
Remember that the more popular the company is, the better materials they use, and the more clients they have, chances are, they are going to cost more.
5. If possible, get samples
The last thing we are going to talk about is samples. Most of the companies will let you get samples from them, and they should either be free or cost an insignificant amount. When you get samples, it is going to be easier for you to choose the right type and materials for your decking.
You can also ask them about the differences in quality, and if they recommend a specific material depending on your location and maintenance needs.
Final tips
When you have several companies on your mind, and once you’ve chosen the ones you want to have a meeting with, you should always come prepared. Have a list of questions, requirements, and share your budget with them. If you want things to get done in a specific timeline, ask them if they are able to get things done on time. On the same note, ask if they are going to be able to finish everything and if they have time to have you as a client. Rushing the project may cost you a bit more, and you may need to pay extra to be a priority.
Note that you should always track any changes and expenses, no matter which company you choose, and you should always have everything in writing. Check if the company has insurance and if they are going to cover the expenses in case something goes wrong.
Follow these tips and you will have no trouble locating the right service to work with. There are thousands of constructors, so you should know that you always have a lot of options, and you don’t need to panic if the first one is not the best one for you.
