Here are some of the things you’ll want to know before you hire any deck contractor.
You may be one of those people who has always wanted to have a deck installed, but has never been able to act on this desire. When the day finally arrives when you have the time and money for the installation, you’ll want to pick a deck contractor to carry out the installation on your behalf.
But you can’t just pick any deck contractor. Not all of them are going to be dependable, so you’ll have to do some research ahead of time to make sure you pick the right one. Here are some of the things you’ll want to know before you hire any deck contractor.
Contractor’s Response Time
Pay attention to how long the deck contractor takes to reach you after you initially contact them, and after you ask them any questions. If you run into any problems or concerns in the middle of your deck installation, you won’t want a contractor who is unresponsive to your needs.
A good contractor will get back to you at the end of the work day or the next business day at the latest. Some may even respond after only a few hours. You should never hire a deck contractor who makes you wait multiple days or more for a response.
Payment Terms
It’s perfectly normal for clients to pay their contractors a certain percentage of the cost upfront. The main question is what percentage that is. In certain states, there are rules that prohibit contractors from asking for percentages that exceed a certain amount. Keeping this in mind, you should avoid a deck contractor if they ask for a higher percentage upfront than what your state allows.
Who is the Primary Person to Contact?
When determining who you should be contacting throughout your project, keep in mind that this person should be on the job site daily. Before you hire any deck contractor, you want to be sure that you’ll be able to meet with your primary contact point. Get a feel for how this person treats you, and see if you think you’ll work well together. That will help you reach a verdict on if you should stay committed to them.
Can They Offer You an End Date?
Asking how long a project will take shouldn’t be a tough question for a deck contractor to answer. While it can sometimes be tough to provide an exact date due to unpredictable variables, such as weather, they should at least be able to give you a ballpark estimate. If you plan on having your deck installed by a certain date, you want a contractor who can stay loyal to that date.
Are They Licensed and Insured?
This requirement is pretty standard among decking contractors. Licensing and insurance are some of the foundational attributes of a reliable decking service. They tell you that you are working with knowledgeable and trustworthy professionals. However, there’s still more you should know.
Ask if their insurance covers all jobs or if it’s on a per-job basis. As an example, a one million dollar policy can seem large initially, but it might not be as helpful to you if your contractor is doing many different jobs at once because you could be left unprotected in the event that other accidents happen first and the money gets used up.
Contact Albaugh & Sons
Since 2003, Albaugh & Sons, LLC, has been dedicated to meeting the fencing, decking, and home remodeling needs of homeowners throughout the greater Frederick area. All of our team members are experienced, well-trained, and committed to exceeding the expectations of every customer.
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