8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Deck Builder

A quality deck is more than boards and railing. It is a structural system exposed to weather year after year, and the difference between a deck that lasts thirty years and one that starts getting soft spots at ten is mostly in the things you can't see once it's finished.

Before you sign a contract, ask these questions of any contractor — including us. If a builder can't answer them clearly, that's information.

1. Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

Always verify that your contractor is properly licensed and insured before work begins. In Oregon, any contractor doing residential construction must carry a CCB license, a bond, and liability insurance.

Luxury Decks of Southern Oregon is a DBA of Lawcorp Carpentry LLC — Oregon CCB #229173. You can verify any Oregon contractor's license directly with the Construction Contractors Board at search.ccb.oregon.gov.

2. Do you specialize in decks?

Building a deck is different from framing the interior of a house. Exterior structures require specific knowledge of water management, corrosion resistance, structural connections, composite products, and long-term exposure to the elements. A contractor who does a little of everything may not have the depth of product knowledge that a specialist does.

We specialize in deck construction and continually invest in product knowledge, manufacturer training, and better building practices. It's the only thing we build.

3. Are you recognized by the manufacturers you install?

Ask whether your contractor is registered or recognized by the manufacturers whose products they install. Manufacturer certification matters because improper installation can void the warranty on the decking material — meaning a board that should be covered for 25 or 50 years isn't, because it wasn't installed to spec.

We are certified with leading decking manufacturers including Trex, Fiberon, and TimberTech, and we stay current on their products, installation requirements, and warranty programs. Certification means your manufacturer warranty is fully valid on every project we complete.

4. Who handles permits and inspections?

A professional deck builder should know when permits are required and who is responsible for obtaining them. If a contractor tells you a permit isn't needed and you later find out it was, that's your problem, not theirs.

Our projects are typically turnkey. When permitting is required, we prepare the necessary information, coordinate the permit process, and work with the building department through required inspections — whether you're in Grants Pass, Medford, Jacksonville, Ashland, or anywhere in the Rogue Valley.

5. Exactly what is included in the proposal?

Never rely on a vague lump-sum estimate. A good proposal should clearly explain the scope of work, materials, demolition, framing, decking, railing, stairs, permits, disposal, and other major project components. Oregon law also requires a contractor to have a written contract for any project over $2,000.

Our proposals are built in JobTread and broken down by scope. Permits, demo, concrete, framing, decking, fascia, railing, stairs, and other parts of the project are identified separately. If something isn't included, we want that understood before we start.

6. How will the deck be protected from water and weather?

Many deck failures begin where homeowners cannot see them. Proper ledger flashing, joist protection, exterior-rated connections, drainage, and water-management details can dramatically affect the life of a deck.

A deck lives outside. Water eventually finds the weak spots. We pay close attention to ledger flashing, joist tape, treated framing, fasteners, and the places where two pieces of lumber trap moisture against each other. A carpenter who knows how to frame a house doesn't necessarily know how to make exterior framing last.

7. What happens if hidden damage is discovered?

Removing an old deck can uncover rot, water damage, improper framing, inadequate connections, or other problems that were impossible to see beforehand. You want to know how your contractor handles that before you're in the middle of it.

We compare it to what happens when a dentist opens up a tooth — until we remove the old material, there are things nobody can see. If we find rot or bad framing, we tell you. We don't bury it. We show you the problem, explain the different ways we can handle it, and give you the pricing before we continue.

8. How are payments, changes, and warranties handled?

These details should be clear before construction begins. A contractor who can't explain their payment schedule, change-order process, and warranty coverage is a red flag.

Our contracts include a written payment schedule. Larger projects typically begin with a 35% deposit, followed by progress payments as construction moves forward. Smaller projects may use a different schedule. If the scope changes, we stop, discuss the change, document the cost, obtain approval, and then perform the work — we do not save surprise change orders for the end of the project. We also explain the workmanship and applicable manufacturer warranties associated with your project and assist with manufacturer registration when required.

Build With Confidence

You should feel comfortable asking your deck builder difficult questions. Ask us these eight. Then ask anyone else you're considering.

A great deck should look beautiful when it is finished — and still be built correctly where you cannot see it. Get a free consultation and written quote, or see our recent work.