Having the Right Contractor is Worth the Wait.. Don't Rush Perfection on Your Dream Deck!
Summer is here and the deck building season is well underway! Many homeowners are excited to spend time outdoors and watching from afar as their neighbors are having a new deck built. “Maybe we should get an estimate and get
a new deck too!” Calls to the most recommended contractors yield the same result… “Sure! We would be happy to give you an estimate for your new deck! We are scheduling new projects to start in the next eight to ten weeks!” That is not what anybody wants to hear when they are excited to start a new project but waiting for those “busy” highly recommended and qualified contractors is the right thing to do.
The best deck builders complete estimates all year round. Estimates completed in the fall and winter are usually first to start once the weather breaks in the Spring. Savvy customers have already gotten a place on the contractor’s schedule to ensure they get the most use out of their deck this season.
Not all decks are built the same way. Finding a carpenter to build a typical square wood deck and has a shorter lead time will be easier to find this time of year than a deck builder who installs composite decking such as Trex, does custom curves, and installs lighting packages. If you are looking for a more unique, higher quality deck, wait for the contractor you really want to hire. Do not settle for the guy who happens to be available.
“Chuck in a Truck” contractors will jump at the opportunity to build your dream deck. They will make all of the promises, but many will fail to deliver the deck that you are envisioning. The best-case scenario is that you hire someone who is willing to put in the research to learn and understand how to build your deck correctly and how to create an accurate bid. Worst case scenario… the contractor bit off more than he could handle and takes off with your money leaving you with a partial project if he comes back at all. Do not gamble your hard-earned deck money. Get on the schedule of a reputable deck builder.
There is always a chance that an opening could come available and your deck could get bumped up on the schedule! Weather is always a factor when a deck builder decides when and how long a project will take. If everything goes smoothly, smaller projects can be added to the schedule. Cancellations also create schedule openings. Being flexible with your availability may get your deck done sooner than expected.
