Tips For Finding a Reputable Custom Deck Builder
Obviously, a referral from someone you know is a helpful way to find a good contractor, but even then, it's best if the project was completed at least a year ago before relying too heavily on a recommendation. With a few tips here and your intuition, finding a reputable contractor to build your deck will be an enjoyable experience instead of a frustrating path leading to buyers remorse.
Here's a Short Checklist Of Qualifications That Should Be Met:
- Contractor should either specialize in decks or it should be a significant percentage of their focus
- Contractor should have memberships in professional trade organizations, especially the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) which is the leading authority on deck construction
- Contractor should have a proven track record and verifiable testimonials and references from past customers (even a “new” company needs to be built on previous experience)
- Contractor should demonstrate extensive knowledge of code and safety requirements
- Contractor must be licensed and insured (this is for your protection, not theirs)
- A good contractor will be helpful beyond your expectations by providing ideas and solutions to your particular needs that you would not normally think of on your own
- Trust your gut; if something doesn't seem right with a contractor you are interviewing, your intuition will often prove right (and a Google search may even confirm it)
A Brief Introduction To Key Trade Organizations
As mentioned above, a reputable contractor will have memberships in trade organizations. When you are reviewing Berks County deck builders, below are some of the trade organizations you are likely to see and brief descriptions of why these are so important.
North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA)
NADRA is the leading authority dedicated exclusively to decks. This includes deck safety, best practices in the deck construction industry, promoting advancements in deck materials and technology, and requiring all members to adhere to codes of conduct, ethics, and professionalism. In addition, NADRA holds regular training events to help improve the skills of members who participate.
Home Builders Associations
You are no doubt familiar with home builders associations and the added layer of protection you receive when hiring HBA member contractors. This same principle applies to deck builders. A reputable deck contractor will often belong to one or more home builders associations.
GuildQuality
GuildQuality is not as highly recognized as other organizations, but once you get familiar with them, it's easy to see the benefit of hiring member contractors. This not only provides a means for contractors to measure and improve customer satisfaction, the contractor reviews are collected independently by GuildQuality to help assure authenticity in the review process.
There are several other organizations that can help add protection when hiring contractors, such as the BBB and local Chamber of Commerce, but the above are the ones specific to decks and home improvement and should be considered more important when hiring contractors. Any deck builder you are considering should be a member in good standing with at least one of these recognized trade authorities.
Decks Are Highly Specialized
As noted in the checklist above, at the top of the list in fact, any contractor you are considering for a custom deck should be a specialist. A contractor that spreads themselves too thin by offering decks as one of many services will not offer the same value as one that focuses on decks as the specialty it really is. Even a casual review of the NADRA site will demonstrate that decks are not be treated as an add-on service. Recent changes to code requirements in Berks County also show that deck construction is an evolving trade.
To borrow a line from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, “Choose wisely.”