A well planned deck can be an extension of your home's gathering and socializing space. Decks made from pressure treated lumber must be well maintained every year to keep them looking new and the wood from deteriorating. There are new composite wood materials on the market today that are easy to install and are very durable. While they will initially cost you more than lumber, the upkeep and maintenance will be minimal. Decks made from this composite material will last for many years. A professional contractor
can help you choose the right material and also help you with the design of your new deck. Decks can be multi-levels and boast features such as built-in benches, planters, and covered trellises. Determine if you will be using your deck for grilling out, eating out, playing cards or socializing and how many people you will need to accommodate at one time. Once the general size of the deck is arrived at, your contractor and you will be able to formulate a design that fits your needs and style.
Featured Decking Articles
"Designing the Deck of Your Dreams"
Deciding on what kind of deck you want to build can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, how do you figure out what will work best for your home?
"Green Deck Building"
That the trend for green construction extends to the deck these days is hardly a surprise. Many deck builders are toting the fact that they use green building materials when creating a new deck but which of these options is really the most eco friendly?
"Maintaining Your New Deck"
There it is in all its glory, your brand new deck. But how do you make sure it stays looking this good for years to come? Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your deck in tip top condition.
"Decking Tips"
If you are planning a deck build make sure to catch this article about how to protect your shrubs and surrounding landscape while you work. Learn the best techniques for staining, cleaning and sealing your deck so it will last for many, many years.
Choosing the Right Contractor to Build the Deck of Your Dreams
Building a deck onto your home can not only add to you and your family’s enjoyment of the spring, summer and perhaps even fall months but can also increase the overall value of your property should you ever decide to sell up.
Whatever design you have in mind for your new deck and whatever shape or size you might want it to be, there is one thing that every deck must be; well constructed, stable and able to withstand the elements.
Unless you have a great deal of design, carpentry and construction experience, building a deck is not really a project for the weekend D.I.Y. warrior. As it is so very important that your new deck be well constructed you absolutely must do your homework before hiring a deck builder.
Begin by compiling a list of "possibles" from amongst the deck-building contractors in the area. Friends and family can be a source of referrals sometimes, but you should also consider contacting a company that specializes in matching customers with qualified construction professionals. Such companies spend a lot of time researching and vetting a company before they will add them to their panel of recommended providers and will usually have details about a company’s licensing status.
Once you have your shortlist of deck builders or deck building companies it is time for you to begin vetting them yourself. Any reputable company should be happy to provide you with references from previous clients and you should certainly take the time to call these people personally and ask them exactly how well the contractor you are considering performed and how satisfied they were with the final product.
It also essential that you confirm that the contractor you are considering has adequate insurance and worker's compensation coverage so that you are not left facing a huge lawsuit if a worker building your deck is injured on the job or some other disaster occurs along the way. Accidents can and do happen, even if you have hired the world’s best deck construction company.
When asking for a cost estimate for the construction of your new deck try to convey as many of your desires as possible to the contractor so that they can provide you with a fairly solid idea of what the bill will be. The estimate should include an idea of the cost of building materials and the number of man-hours you are likely to be billed.
Building a deck is not a small undertaking. It means altering the exterior of your home, which inevitably means that there will be planning permission issues to be addressed and building permits to be obtained. Your chosen deck builder should be able to help you out a lot with regard to such issues, but it never hurts to check for yourself what the requirements are for building a deck in your area.
Once you have made your choice, make sure you get a written contract with the deck construction company you have selected and that it is as comprehensive as possible. It should include the project start date and its projected end date as well as materials and labor costs, and what guarantees the contractor is willing to offer the cover the deck after it is completed.
