So you’re looking to have a deck installed. This is a good move if you’re looking to add a livable space outdoors that can truly improve the quality of your living. You’ll have a place where you and your family can hang out and spend quality time together. This space can also serve as a venue for parties if you have visiting guests.
In addition, adding a deck can increase the resale value of your home. On average, a deck addition will cost you close to $11,000. That may sound like a lot of money, but do consider the fact that it can increase your home’s resale value by a little over $9,000. This means that you get to recoup over 82% of the cost. Add that to the benefits that you and your family will get to experience in the present and it’s an investment worth making.
Hire the Right Company
You have to look at the best local deck builders near you and hire the best one for your project. This is a very complicated project especially if you’re going to attach it to a higher place in your home. At the very least, the right support posts should be erected. This is to make sure that the deck will not collapse. Yes, it can collapse, and you wouldn’t want that to happen. This is why you have to hire the right deck contractor for the job and talking to local deck contractors will help you make the right decision.
Things to Talk About
Don’t just hire the first contractor that you find. Do your research and conduct interviews. Talk to the deck builders that you’re considering about these things so you can find the most experienced and most knowledgeable one:
- What materials are available for the deck?
Decks are made of wood. There are different types of wood that a contractor can use to build the deck. Each type has its own pros and cons so they should be discussed.
You have to ask what materials are available right now. Some builders will recommend materials that are not locally available. They can be very expensive since they have to be shipped.
Talk to the contractor about the materials that they use and have them discuss to you about these options. Of course if you’re willing to spend more, you can ask about other materials that they can source.
It’s not just about the wood itself. What fasteners will they be using? You wouldn’t want to be surprised to see exposed fasteners when you’ve wanted something that looks continuous. While hidden fasteners are generally more expensive, they’re better when it comes to adding more appeal to the deck.
In addition, talk to them about how good these fasteners are. There are fasteners designed to handle exposure to outside elements so they’re good for this project.
You should also discuss the finishing options. These can help protect your investment. As a bonus, it will add another layer of beauty.
- How long will the project take?
Again this is not a simple project so expect it to take some time. This is especially true if you’re just going to hire a carpenter and laborer. For a 12 by 14 elevated deck that comes with a staircase, expect it to last up to 3 weeks.
This is why it’s good to talk to a contractor and let them know your expectations. If you want it built ASAP, a good local deck builder with a good team can have it done in just a couple of days.
- Are they going to take care of the permits?
This is a big project so necessary permits should be procured. The last thing you’d need is for a city inspector to arrive on site with the project halfway done and shut down the project because you don’t have the necessary permits.
Ask the local deck installers what permits are necessary. Ask them if they’ll take care of it. Make sure that everything is in place before getting started on the project.
- Talk to them about the design.
In this day and age of the internet, you probably have a design in mind already after spending days looking at deck designs. Talk to the builders you’re talking to about this design and a good builder should be able to tell you if it makes sense for your home or not.
Avoid builders that are “yes men”. They’ll say yes just to book you as a client even if they know that there’s a better design. Of course, as a client you still have the last say, but experienced builders should be able to present designs that they think make better sense. At the very least, they should be able to make suggestions and recommendations for your chosen design.
- How about the maintenance?
Decks can be a pain to maintain. If this is a concern for you, ask the builders about the maintenance needs of the deck that you have in mind. Ask them how to maintain it once it’s constructed. This way, you can prolong its life. A properly maintained deck will pay for itself down the line provided that you maintain its beauty and usefulness.
You can also ask them for a maintenance schedule. You can also hire them for the regular maintenance so they can check for damages regularly.
Get in Touch with Deck Builders in Your Area!
Talking to them about the things listed above will show them that you mean business and that you know what you’re talking about. This allows you to negotiate prices. More importantly, this process will help you hire the right deck installation contractor for the project. Soon enough, maybe in a few days, you’ll be spending a lot of time on your newly constructed deck.