A deck can be a great addition to your home. Not only does it help increase your home value, but it can also improve your backyard and increase your comfort and enjoyment of your home. Working with the right contractor makes a big difference in whether you end up with the deck you want and need. Here’s how to choose a deck builder:

1. Look For Knowledge & Experience

More entertainment space, increased home value, and more are benefits of adding a deck to your home. But, you only get those benefits if your deck is designed well and built right. When choosing a deck builder, look for a contractor who has knowledge and established experience with building decks.

This is one of the top tips for choosing a home improvement contractor. You want to make sure the contractor you’re working with is knowledgeable about the types of projects you want to do and has experience doing them. Look for contractors who have experience with designing, building, and restoring or replacing decks.

2. Check Licensing

Reputable contractors are licensed and insured. You want to make sure any deck builder you are considering has an active license. Local building associations can be good resources for finding a home improvement contractor and you can also often use them to verify licensing and credentials.

3. Review Portfolios

Although you may not be able to see every project they’ve ever done, you should be able to check out some of the work a contractor has done before. Take a look at their social media profiles and websites to check out their portfolios and see pictures of the work they’ve done.

If you are looking for someone to build you a deck, then the contractor you’re considering should have deck projects in their portfolio. You should be able to see the quality of the materials they use and the work they do as well as different deck plans, customizations, design options, etc.

4. Check Out Customer Reviews

Once you have a few options in mind, another way to help choose a deck builder is to check out customer reviews and testimonials. Reviews and testimonials from homeowners who have worked with the contractor you’re considering can help you get a feel for whether they will be right for you, especially if the reviews are for projects similar to what you are hoping to do.

5. Visit Their Showroom

In addition to knowledge and experience, you also want to partner with a deck builder who you can trust, who has good communication and planning skills, and who will have a good working relationship with you. If a contractor you’re interested in has a showroom, visiting it can be a big help in determining whether they are a good fit for you and your project. This is a good reason to visit a showroom.

Visiting their showroom gives you a chance to see some things in person, to get a feel for how they operate, and also gives you a chance to meet with them. You may need to schedule an appointment, but it’s a great way to ask questions to a home improvement contractor you’re considering for a project and get a feel for what it might be like to work with them.

6. Accurately Compare Quotes

Getting a quote for your project is a necessary step in choosing a deck builder. The scope of the project, cost, project schedule, and more are things that should be in a home improvement quote. Everything about your project should be included and clearly detailed.

You should be able to clearly and accurately compare home improvement quotes if you are getting estimates from multiple contractors. When comparing quotes, it’s important to make sure the project scopes are the same and take everything into account. You should also be able to take into account warranties and anything else related to your deck project.

If anything is missing from one or another or the numbers are vastly different, do not be afraid to ask questions. The contractor you are considering working with should be transparent and be open and willing to answer any questions you have.

Add a Deck to Your Home With Zephyr Thomas

These are just a few things to look for when it comes to how to choose a deck builder. There are a lot of considerations when adding a deck to your home and an experienced, reputable deck builder can help you work through it all. If you’re considering adding a deck to your home, contact Zephyr Thomas at 717-399-4708 to schedule a free estimate. We can help you add, replace, or upgrade your deck!

Take a look at the time-lapse video below to see the Zephyr Thomas team build a deck addition for this homeowner!