It may seem like a deck is one of the easiest things on earth to make, tempting many people to try and make their own, cutting out the middle man, and saving themselves money. However, this almost always backfires, making it so that they are actually paying more for their deck over time. This is because of repairs that are needed, codes that are overlooked, steps that are skipped, or just general shoddy workmanship that shows after a few years. This is why anyone who actually wants to save money should look into hiring a decking contractor to make sure that everything is done correctly the first time, rather than shelling out for repairs over the years.
The first thing that a contractor will know, that most people won’t, is the types of materials that will work best in the current climate. It may seem like all materials will work in every situation, but the elements are ruthless in their pursuit of breaking down natural materials. Erosion or weakening of different materials is actually one of the number one reasons for decks to need to be replaced. If you have a particular preference for a wood that doesn’t work well in the area, they will know the steps necessary to weatherproof it and make it possible for your dream to be a reality.
The next thing that they will know is the permits that are needed and the legal hoops that they will need to jump through. This may not seem like a big deal, but depending on the area, the city may actually be able to make you tear down anything that was made without the correct permits. It should depend on the state you’re in, my custom conservatory contractor did the permit for me. This obviously adds in a huge cost and can cause structural damage as well. In addition, applying for permits after a mistake like this can incur extra fees, adding to an already expensive undertaking.
Finally, hiring a decking contractor will ensure that the deck actually looks nice, without any glaring problems. Most people won’t know how to correct tiny mistakes that happen in the construction process. When these mistakes become apparent months or years later, it is too late to fix them, making the entire deck look horrible, and sometimes causing safety concerns as well. However, a contractor will know what to look for to prevent these problems and will present a finished product that is much more polished and much more likely to last for a very long time.