Now that you’ve selected a contractor to build your deck and have narrowed down your design options, it’s wise to begin thinking about the upcoming weeks of construction and how they will impact your daily life. Just remember that while the layout and design of your yard will change dramatically, you will ultimately be gaining more useable outdoor space to enjoy for many years to come!

Keeping an open line of communication with your contractor is key to ensuring a successful project. Any questions or special instructions you have should be addressed prior to the start of work.

Stockpiling of Material

All of the material that is going to be used in your project will be stockpiled close to the construction site. This could be in your driveway or your back yard. It will mainly consist of lumber and concrete, but could also include many of the builder’s tools. The contractor should keep this staging area as neat and orderly as possible.

Use of Your House

There are a few ways your builder will need to use your house during the construction phase. First, he will need access to a power source to run his saws, drills, and other power tools. If there is no outlet outside, he will need to use a power source from inside the home. Access to a water source is also important in being able to mix concrete for the footers and piers, and to clean up the site upon project completion. The deck builder will also need to use your home to attach a ledger board, which acts as a row of piers and connects the deck to your home. This way when you step from your house onto the deck, you are stepping onto another part of your house, instead of a separate entity. This ledger board makes the deck more solid. Deck builders often have to remove a few pieces of siding so that this board is flush with the house.

Deck Staining and Treating

If you have selected a wood deck, you will need to keep in mind that your deck will need to be treatedevery 3 – 5 years, depending on your seasonal climate, exposure to the sun and the amount of precipitation your region receives. After completion of your deck, your builder will return in a month or so (depending on the weather) and will apply deck staining and treatment. This is typically done after the deck has had some exposure to natural sunlight. Once this initial treatment has been completed, it is up to the homeowner to keep a close eye out for discoloration and staining. Discuss maintenance options with your builder -- he should be able to provide you with good recommendations.

The number of outdoor construction contractors out there is great, and choosing a deck builder can be an overwhelming task! However there are many important factors that should be considered in the selection process, sliming the number down considerably and making the process much easier.

Obtaining answers to the following questions is critical before signing a contract:

Does the contractor have general liability insurance and workmen’s compensation?

Both are very important. General liability insurance protects your property in the event of damage caused by the contractor. Workmen’s compensation insurance protects you from liability if a worker is injured while working on your property. Without proper insurance, a homeowner will be liable if something happens. Ask prospective contractors for a current copy of their insurance certificate and follow up with a phone call to the insurance company to ensure the policy is still in effect.

Is the contractor licensed in the jurisdiction where work will take place?

In addition to being required to hold a state contractor’s license, a remodeler is also required to hold local business licenses for each jurisdiction in which work is performed. Without it they will be unable to pull building permits in their name, which means you, as the homeowner, will have to pull the permit. This, in turn, means that you are essentially “the contractor”.  If something with the job goes wrong, the county and state will not help you settle the dispute. You could also be required to provide corrective action. If you pull the permit, you are the contractor in the eyes of the government.

Will the contractor assist in the HOA application process?

Obtaining HOA approval can be a difficult and often tedious task. An experienced contractor can move this process along quickly and smoothly. In many cases they will handle the entire process, requesting only that the homeowner obtain the required neighbor signatures.

Will the contractor supply a list of references?

Check to make sure your contractor is well established. Ask for references that are less than one year old. Drive by job sites. It is also a good idea to make sure the contractor is a viable entity that is current on its bills. You should be able to get contact information for the company’s main suppliers.

Is the contractor an established business that specializes in outdoor construction?

Choose a company that specializes in decks, porches, and patios. There are companies that do a bit of everything and don’t do the work in house, but rather subcontract out to other companies. The result is often higher prices to the customer and a break in the line of communication.

Does the contractor guarantee its work?

A licensed contractor is required to guarantee workmanship for at least one year. Materials supplied by outside sources are often covered by additional warrantees, but this would include materials only – no labor. A reputable contractor will offer a two year warranty on the workmanship. It is important to request this in writing, as verbal commitments cannot be relied on.

The deck was built in Leesburg Virginia.  Low maintenance Trex Transcend decking and railing, PVC fascia and PVC column wraps were used for all support posts.  In addition, a sunken hot tub, as well as a raised deck area with a trellis was designed into the project to take advantage of the beautiful views. 

This deck was built in an historic district of Arlington Virginia.  We not only had to obtain the building permit but also had to deal with the historic review process.  We were allowed to use Evergrain composite decking but no composite railing or PVC was allowed.  The support posts had to be oversized and the railing had to meet the historic guidelines.  Cabot solid color stain was used to match the deck to the existing trim.

After

Details

• Removed existing decking, railing and porch.  The frame remained.

• Added additional framing for the new porch.

• Azek Brownstone decking

• Azek Premier composite railing

• Azek PVC fascia

• Closed rafters with beaded ceiling

• Built in 2011

Before

After

Before

After

Woodscape Construction specializes in the design and construction of decks, patios, screened porches and gazebos.
Bringing decades of experience and knowledge to each project, our teams of carpenters are specialized in outdoor construction. Regardless of whether the project is large or small, there is active principal involvement in each job.

Experienced designers work with our customers in developing plans that are affordable, functional and aesthetic.

Deck Builder in Virginia and Washington DC

Porch Builder in Virginia and Washington DC

Patio Builder in Virginia and Washington DC

Woodscape is licensed to work in Virginia and the District of Columbia, and offers a two year workmanship warranty on all projects. A full spectrum of insurance is held,including General Liability and Workman’s Compensation. Woodscape is a member of the Better Business Bureau and maintains an excellent rating.