Alright, so you've decided it's time for a new deck, or maybe a big overhaul of your old one. That's pretty exciting! But before you even think about picking out materials, you've got to find the right person to build it. And believe me, that's where a lot of folks in Savannah get stuck. There are plenty of good builders out there, sure, but there are also some who will cut corners or just disappear. I've seen it all, and I really want to help you avoid those kinds of headaches.
What to Ask Potential Deck Builders
When you're chatting with a contractor, don't be shy. You're about to put down a good chunk of money, so you need to feel totally confident. Here are the questions I'd hit them with:
- Are you licensed and insured in Georgia? This isn't something you can skip. Ask for their Georgia contractor license number, plus proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation. If they can't show it, or they start to hem and haw, that's your first big red flag. Don't even think about going forward.
- How long have you been building decks specifically? Someone who's done a lot of general remodeling might be great, but deck building has its own structural needs and codes. You really want someone with dedicated experience.
- Can you give me references from recent deck projects? And I mean recent, like in the last year or two. Don't just take their word for it; actually call those people. Ask about how they communicated, if they were on time, if they stuck to the budget, and if they'd hire them again.
- What's your typical project timeline? This helps you know what to expect. Good builders are usually busy, but they should be able to give you a realistic start date and when they expect to finish.
- How do you handle permits and inspections? In Savannah, you absolutely need permits for most deck projects. A legitimate contractor knows this cold and will handle the permitting process for you. If they even hint at skipping permits, run away. Seriously.
- What kind of warranty do you offer on your work? A good builder stands behind what they build. Ask about both material warranties (those come from the manufacturer, usually) and their labor warranty.
- Who will actually be doing the work? Your own crew or subcontractors? It's totally fine if they use subs, but you should know who's going to be on your property.
- What's your payment schedule? Be really careful of anyone asking for a huge upfront deposit, especially more than 30-50% just for materials. Payments should be tied to specific project milestones.
Decoding the Quote: What to Look For
You'll get quotes that vary a lot, and the cheapest one isn't always the best, is it? A detailed quote tells you a lot about how professional a contractor is. Here's what I expect to see:
- Line-item breakdown: This means separate costs for labor, materials (what kind and how much), demolition, permitting fees, and any specific features like railings, stairs, or lighting. No big lump sums, ever!
- Material specifications: Don't just let them say