Decks can be a wonderful enhancement to any backyard. Lazy days,cool nights, grilling with friends—it all paints a cozy picture. When it comes to making that dream come true, you can either build the deck yourself, or you can hire a oil based deck stain contractor to do it for you. While building it yourself may have its own special pleasures, many people find they don’t have the knowledge or the time. If that’s the case, hiring someone may be a more viable option. However, before you pick a contractor, there are a few things you will need to do to make this new partnership a success.
Make A Plan
Even though you may not be building the deck yourself, you need to plan out in advance what it will look like. Know the basic dimensions so your contractor will have something to work with and plan from. If you are interested in your deck being multilevel, want it to have rails, staircases, built-in storage, or other special feature like a fireplace, you will need to include that in your plans.
Be sure to let them know what kind of building materials you want to use, and keep in mind how your deck will fit in with your landscaping. Do you get lots of sun at certain times of day? A deck builder sunshine coast look will help with the building process. From your dimensions and the needs you have listed, the contractor will be able to give you a financial estimate along with an estimate on how long the project will take.
Start With Family And Friends
Did your friend or co-worker use a particular contractor recently? If so, this is the perfect place to start researching. Dig deeper and find out what kind of feedback your contact had with their contractor. Were they happy with their work? Would they use them again? Would they recommend them to their aging grandma? A good reference goes a long way! Word of mouth is everything and can help determine if this person will be a good fit for your project.
Check Out References
Even though your friend recommends a particular deck contractor, you still need to check out their other references. Don’t be afraid to ask whoever you are interested in hiring if they have other references you can contact. Go through the same list of questions you asked your friend.
Clarify The Logistics
The references might check out,and the feedback may be good, but there are still a few more steps to go through before making that final decision. Are they licensed? Do they carry insurance? Do they offer a warranty? When can you expect the deck to be done? Who is responsible for clean up when the project is complete?
Get It In Writing
Once these questions have been answered, your next steps are to get a written agreement that lays out all the expectations. This protects both you and your contractor in case there are any issues. No matter how much you may personally like the person you’re hiring, it’s always a good idea to get things in writing.