Deck Builders: Questions Homeowners Need To Ask

            A well designed deck is a good addition to your home.  It not only adds aesthetic value but also raises the appraisal value of your property.   On the other hand, if things go the other way, you will have a structure that does not function as it should and it would stick out like a sore thumb. Not to mention the financial dent it would cause on your pocketbook.

            The key is to know what to expect and to make right choices from the beginning. It doesn’t start from the drawing of the plans but in your choice of partners.  And to make the right choice, you must ask the right questions.  Here are a few.

·         Do you have a Business Checker ID?  If the contractor is verified by Business Checker, there is no need to ask the next two questions because Business Checker does it for you.  A business with a “Satisfactory” or better yet, “Highly Rated” rating from Business Checker means that they are licensed, skilled and properly insured.

·         Do you have a Contractor License? Contractor Licenses are issued to tradies who comply with the governing legislation and policies of the Building Services Authority (BSA.)  Having a licensed builder work for you means that your project will be up to existing building standards.  This also means that they have the right skill and qualification to build your project.

·         Are you insured? Businesses and traders should have a Public Liability Insurance that covers the cost of damages to the homeowner’s property in case there are accidents during construction.  Licensed contractors are also required to have a home warranty insurance from the BSA which protects the homeowner is the work done is defective or is not completed.

·         How long have you been in business? Being in business for a considerable length of time usually signifies that they are trustworthy and they have had a number of satisfied customers. Continuous patronage is a sign of exceptional work and experience. 

·         What materials are you used to work with?  There was a time when decks are just made of timber or wood products and all you have to choose from are local timber suitable for decks.  Now there is a wide range of imported and local decking timber, plastics, aluminum, steel and the newest in the lot, composite decking materials.  Good contractors improve and innovate, this means they constantly work hard to better themselves and improve their work.

After you have asked the right questions, it would be easier to make the right decisions.  Working with a compatible contractor would make the whole project worthwhile