First of all, a deck is an investment in your home. Even if you only need a small deck, it will cost several thousand dollars, so why risk going with some fly-by-night company or handyman, or siding company who “does decks on the side.” It’s just too risky. A deck is a structure designed to hold a lot of weight and you don’t want it to be constructed by people who don’t understand the consequences of poor structural engineering. At Creative Concepts & Design, we will build you a deck that will stand the test of time and exceed international and local codes.
Consequences of Hiring a Deck “Dabbler”
We see it all the time. The couple on the news who hired a guy and a truck to build their deck and halfway through the project he disappeared, never to be heard from again. Or, the person who ended up in the emergency room because they trusted a deck railing that was not built securely. Sadly, that kind of thing does happen. A deck is not something that should be built by someone with little knowledge of current codes and engineering experience. There are a million construction workers out there who know how to build something based on the plan but can’t do the critical load calculations required for pier sizes, joist spans, and beam spans. This is the difference between a cheap deck and a sturdy deck that passes the test of time providing you with good cost vs. value. So how do you know who to hire to build your deck in Kansas City? More importantly, how do you know who NOT to hire?
How to Hire a Decent Deck Builder in 4 Easy Steps
We put together this guide to help you cover your bases and hire a reputable company who will build a quality deck while staying within your budget.
Step 1: Visit the Company’s Website
Any reputable company will have a website you can visit. If they don’t, they aren’t serious about building decks and are probably a “dabbler” in decks. On their website, they should say how long they’ve been in business and confirm that they are licensed and insured. They should also have photos of their work but don’t assume that all the photos on their site represent their work. Look for guarantees as well. This should rule out anybody who is too small or not serious about their business.
Step 2: Read Online Reviews
Simply reading what’s on a company’s website isn’t enough. While it will give you a lot of valuable insight and information, you won’t find anything negative there because they control the narrative. The next step is to search the company on Google and read reviews from actual customers. This will give you a good feel for their reputation and a taste of what it’s like doing business with them. Most companies will have a few less-than-perfect reviews, so also pay attention to make sure that if there were any problems, they were addressed and resolved by the company. It’s hard to be absolutely perfect, but it’s easy to stand behind your product if you care about your reputation. Creative Concepts & Design has a 4.8 stars out of 5 rating on Google.
Step 3: Talk to Previous Customers
Any company worth its salt will be happy to give you several previous customers’ names and numbers so you can call and speak with them about their experiences. These references will give you the best idea of what the company is really like to work with. You will get a feel for their customer service, timeliness, reliability, attention to detail, communication style, and more. It’s a good idea to have some questions in mind before talking to these references. Ask about everything from start to finish and feel free to address any concerns with the company representative. Connecting with past clients by email or phone is great, but if you can see past projects in person, that’s even better than assuming all of the photos on the website are their work.
Step 4: Get Quotes in Writing
The final step is to get a formal quote for the project in writing. Make sure important details such as the type of decking, size of posts, hardware, and prices are all covered. This way you can make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Also, ask where the materials will be purchased. For example, KC Deck Supply will ensure high-quality lumber, while Menard’s will be lower quality. Just like many other things in life, you get what you pay for. If the price seems too good to be true, it usually is. Additionally, ask for an anticipated start and finish date. Finally, make sure any guarantees are mentioned in writing as well.
Step 5: Call a Decking Supply Store
A very good approach to finding a deck builder would be to call a dedicated decking supply store and ask them for references on quality contractors. It’s a bit unconventional, but very smart. But who knows anyone at a decking supply store? In our instance, KC Deck Supply is a one-stop shop where all the major deck-building companies source material. They will be able to give you unencumbered advice because they will most likely sell your lumber package regardless of what contractor you choose. Tony Davis is the top sales representative at Deck Supply and is a wealth of knowledge. One call to him and he will connect you with the top professionals in your area. Tony (816) 213-2072.
Get More Bang for Your Buck
We always suggest vetting at least three companies so you will be ready to make a very informed decision. We hope one of these companies will be Creative Concepts & Design. We’ve been building decks in the Kansas City area for the last 15 years and we’d love to bring your backyard dreams to life. We probably won’t be the lowest price, but we are very competitive. We believe you will get way more for your dollar, a beautiful, high-quality deck, plus a great customer experience.
We Put the Creative in Creative Concepts & Design
Even the smallest, most affordable deck we build will be high quality. Plus, we can find creative ways to get you more value for your deck-building dollar. Because we know the industry and products inside and out, we can make suggestions that will elevate your deck or backyard design with very little extra added to the budget. There’s no hard sell here. We can suggest working these elements into your backyard plan, but the goal is not to increase your budget. It is to give you more bang for your buck with your deck plan and to show you some options that you may not have realized were so affordable. Things like adding a pergola, patio, or landscaping. Our customers are usually thrilled with our ideas and so thankful we enhanced their backyard oasis. Exceeding expectations isn’t easy, but we’ve got the knowledge and the experience to get it done. All it takes is some imagination and the right team of people.
Cost Vs. Value
Remember you get what you pay for when it comes to decks. When you are thinking about cost vs. value nobody explains it better than Warren Buffet. “Cost is what you pay and value is what you get.” More often than not your higher priced estimates will harbor more value in their engineering and craftsmanship.
