The addition of a deck to a home is a very big thing. If you have made it past this hurdle we applaud you. You have made a great decision that will add to the enjoyment of your backyard for many years.

You have decided to get talented decking contractors to help you. What should you do next? Before you go out and hire someone on the spot, there are a few things you should consider.

1. What sort of work do you want done?

What kind of deck are you looking for? Big or small? Are you wanting nothing more than a small back porch for you and your loved ones to relax on? Or, do you have an above-ground pool that you want the deck to partially or entirely surround?

2. Is there a design you have in mind?

Long Island decks come in all shapes, sizes, and – in some cases – colors. There are those that would prefer a practical design for a deck. The deck may be plain, but it is very sturdy and capable of accomodating any number of activities. Other people prefer to have a more sophisticated design to their deck, involving wrappings, scrollwork, and other decorations. A homeowner can get a lot of enjoyment out of either design extreme. The one you decide on is just that: your decision.

3. Look at your budget

Everyone wants to have the best of whatever it is they’re seeking. Then the reality of our wallets kicks in and we start to focus on the deck building cost. Once you have an idea of what you want you should try and get an idea of how realistic that is. For that matter, you may want to have more than one design picked out. This way you have options if one turns out to be unfeasible.

4. Be careful with cost-cutting measures

Faced with the decision of cutting deck pricing per square foot, labor costs, or both? Tread carefully. Don’t automatically assume cost savings will result from going with a contractor who charges a reduced hourly rate. Money can be saved in the short term with hiring inexperienced labor, but these savings will get eaten up in future maintenance costs that arise from repairing poor craftsmanship.

5. Never hire someone without getting a quote

Make sure you get a quote down on paper before proceeding any further with a contractor. Only once something is written down can you be assured that your LI deck will not cost more than you intend to pay.

The author, Taylen Dickson, has spent much of his life building decks for residents in his area, and now he tries to help people get great deck pricing per square foot for their own projects. Find out more about what expert decking contractors can do for you. Great decks can be yours today!