Home » Kitchen Renovation » Services Offered by Deck Builders

Services Offered by Deck Builders

deckIf you’ve ever hired deck services for your home or garden, you know that they’re not cheap. Some deck services companies might try to take advantage of the fact that most homeowners are tight on cash and will hesitate to commit to long-term contracts with unknown deck builders. In contrast, others might be outright rip-off artists looking to take advantage of the DIY homeowner in their time of need. However, there are ways to protect yourself against shady deck services providers and still get quality work done that looks great and lasts for years.

One of the first steps to prevent any shady deck services company from taking advantage of you is to ensure that they have a proper license to ply their trade in your area. It’s a given that most deck services companies will have their right, but it’s also a good idea to check. Ask the local government or fire department for their licensing records, as well as ensure that you’re dealing with an experienced and reputable company by checking online for customer reviews. When choosing a new deck builder, it’s also a good idea to check out the company’s history and whether they’ve been involved in any complaints before. 

Most deck services will also offer expert deck building services including pre-built railings and new decks, but this isn’t always the case. Some deck builders are also willing to design and build outdoor spaces, but not all of them are. Check out the credentials of any deck services you’re considering hiring for the strength of their deck building skills and the quality of the materials they use. It’s important that you feel comfortable with your chosen contractor because it’s one thing to get a beautiful set of railings, but you want the overall experience to be 100% enjoyable.

Most deck builders will provide you with excellent customer service. The key to a happy and successful deck installation is making sure that your builder is available to you right from the start, whether you have a basic deck built or are having it customized. If your deck builders can’t be reached during normal business hours, you may want to consider another deck builder or ask for recommendations from friends and family who have had experience with deck installation.

Many people are leery of using plastic deck materials because they don’t believe that they are as durable as wood rot resistant materials. Plastic decking materials are very easy to maintain and can be used outdoors year-round. However, they are not as hard as wood, and plastic is susceptible to damage caused by extreme temperature changes, such as hot weather and winter storms. This can result in mildew or black spots on the surface of your decking material and can actually hasten wood rot and decay.

If your deck installation is not going as planned, it’s important to discuss possible fixes with your chosen deck builders before the job is started. You should find out what kinds of repairs or renovations are covered under warranty. Some deck manufacturers offer warranty protection on materials and labor for a limited period of time. Ask your deck builders about this arrangement. The cost of these warranties may seem minimal, but knowing that there is a repair available after the warranty expires can save you money.

If you live in an area that experiences high winds, you should know that loose railings on wood decks are a big problem. If you don’t have strong reinforcement for the rafters in your deck, winds can cause them to bend and break. When this happens, the deck is no longer safe for guests or family members to use, and you could end up spending additional money to fix it. You may even want to consider building a brand new deck around your old, broken rafters. Having stronger railings on your outdoor space will prevent this from happening.

If you want to know more about deck installation and maintenance, contact several local deck builders. Find out what services they provide and whether or not they offer custom built decks. If you already have a plan in mind, talk to each deck builder about how you would like your new deck to look. If you aren’t an artist, bring in a landscape photographer to create a mockup of your new deck. This allows each deck builder to visualize the end result of their work. Once they understand how much work goes into constructing a new deck, they will be more willing to work with you and make sure it’s completed to your satisfaction.