As far as the experts are concerned, when it comes to choosing the best man for your landscaping, it pays to ask the supposed handyman some questions and proceed very carefully if the answers you receive don’t sit with you well. After all, just for the fact that someone tries to pitch to you that they are the best hand for the job doesn’t actually guarantee that the person is a pro deck contractor. As it is so with many other things in life, it will really pay off if you do your own homework. Finding the perfect Calgary landscaping and deck contractor for the job may sound and too easy, especially when you dial a phone number off of a street sign post that says “hire me.”
Well, in some ways it is because vetting Calgary deck contractors can be done similarly to the other products and professionals you would search for, like landscapers in Calgary. Yet, there might be a handful of ways you are missing if you have never had to build or rebuild an outdoor space. To be 100 percent sure you are paying the right person to handle your deck construction, you may want to consider the following pointers.
Ask Around
As simple and regular as asking for reliable Calgary deck contractors from your friends and family may seem, it can land you a professional who won’t put holes in your pockets. If you know someone in Calgary with a deck everyone is admiring for its touch of taste, the right move is to ask them who’s responsible for the masterpiece. Personal recommendations are a great way to forge connections with reputable deck contractors in Calgary, plus the fact that you will get an insider’s view of how the process really works. Or, won’t you? There are people who know people that can really impress with this kind of work and won’t charge the whole universe for giving you the perfect decking. All you have to do is ask.
Check Online
I once Googled for a landscaping service in Calgary and I was greeted by billions of search results. My point is some of these Calgary contractors are usually hard to find physically. Like great writers, they liked to stay under the radar until their impeccable work makes them a well-known commodity. You can find many deck contractors in Calgary online. You can consult online forums or research tools to read reviews of local deck builders. Reputable resources are out there too, you just have to be persistent enough to find them and use them to your advantage. While doing this, be cautious of online information and don’t always rely on them – at least not exclusively. As you may very well know before now, not all reviews are entirely objective because some of these guys may have been paid to drop a fine word or two just to promote someone’s business. Conduct Interviews over the Phone
If you don’t want to go all around Calgary just to meet some guy who doesn’t know jack about decks, then a phone interview would be very good to get to know the person’s expertise with deck construction. This is usually done when you have been able to narrow down your search, after which you can make some phone calls with the aim of discussing availability amongst other things. During the interview, you would do well to confirm whether the contractor is licensed or not, and discuss the scope of your deck or porch to determine if it is in alignment with your landscaping designs and plans. Ask for references and then call the referees to discuss the project and confirm client capability. If you have the time, visit the homes of the referees to get a firsthand view of the deck they have gotten from the deck contractor you are connected with.
Meet and Ask Questions
After scheduling time for meeting with Calgary deck contractors, prepare questions you would want to ask. Asking the right questions before agreeing to build the deck can help you eliminate disappointments after the project is completed. Try these:
- Do you have a license?
- Can you supply proof of liability insurance?
- Will you design the project and supply an architectural plan?
- Will you secure all essential permits?
- Are you familiar with my chosen building material?
- What is the cost for your services, and payment terms?
- Do you have a team of workers, subcontractors and landscape professionals?
Or you can avoid all of this and just call us, Project Landscape. We’re Calgary’s preferred landscaping service because we can do it all. We’ll put together a stunning deck for you, and ensure that it matches your existing landscaping. Contact us today to find out more.