With the weather warming up, you’re probably dreaming of summer afternoons spent relaxing on a backyard deck. A well designed and constructed deck can turn any backyard into a summer retreat.
But before you begin creating your dream backyard, you’ll have to find a quality contractor to get the job done. This professional should have the knowledge and experience to create a beautiful deck with both strong footings and sufficient supports.
It can be difficult to find a skilled and reliable professional with so many different options on the market. To help make the process easier, here are a few tips on how to find a quality deck builder in Fort Collins, CO:
Plan your ideal deck
Try to have a vision of your ideal deck before you even start looking for a contractor. Consider what you would like it to look like and any materials you want to use. This way you’ll have a foundation to work with when you start working with contractors. Take this time to establish a rough budget. A professional will then be able to provide additional recommendations to help make your idea a reality.
Check reviews
Did your desire for a new deck start after a friend or neighbor recently had one built? If so, gauge their impression and sense of satisfaction regarding their choice in contractor and whether they would recommend that person. Online reviews are another great way to get an unbiased opinion of contractors that have been vetted by others who were previously in your position. Try to reach out to the reviewer for a better sense of how the work has held up under the elements.
Meet with deck builders
Your list should hopefully be done to just a few local contractors after reading through reviews. The next step is to meet with each builder individually to better determine which company is best suited for the job. You’ll want to ask the following questions before making your decision:
- When was your company established?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Do you offer a warranty?
- How long do you think the project will take?
The responses should give you a better insight into how reliable the company is and whether they are going to be slow and unresponsive because they have too many other projects on their plate.
Written estimate
After the interview, ask each contractor to provide you with a hard copy of an estimate for any costs associated with your project. This should include a detailed breakdown of any materials, in addition to the cost of labor.
A quality contractor will also provide prices for any landscaping that might be necessary and the cost of clean up, such as hauling away debris. It may seem obvious, but be realistic with your budget. Don’t opt for a contractor that is estimating that the project will cost two times your allotted budget.
Make your decision
Now that you’ve done your research, interviewed and have an estimate it’s time to make your final selection and draw up a contract. Hopefully, you’ll be on your way to a beautiful backyard retreat in just a few weeks’ time.
