You’ve got the contract. You’ve got the lumber. But what about the actual strategy for building a deck? For deck builders new to the profession, there are a few tips that shouldn’t be ignored when you’re constructing decks for your customers. To maximize customer satisfaction and make work you’re proud of, take account of these current building tactics in your deck contracts.
1: Plan Thoroughly
We know you’re eager to start swinging hammers and spinning the buzzsaw, take care to plan everything—and we mean everything. What are your customer’s preferences? This is the obvious one, as no homeowner is going to simply tell a contractor to build a deck with no further specifications. But past the customer’s needs, consider the setting.
Available space is a major factor here. You won’t be limited if the property you’re working on is huge, but you’ll need to get creative when space is tight. In addition, consider the deck’s height and how it will affect the stairs. Utilizing software and other tools can help you be precise in your planning, providing accurate measurements and renderings that will help you work and give your customers a thorough understanding of the plans.
2: Choose Quality Materials
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention top-quality materials here. Because not every kind of lumber is made equal, the choice you make could have an impact on the longevity and even safety of the deck you build. Smart deck builders will educate their customers on the benefits of choosing materials that may not be the cheapest but will require minimal maintenance and repairs in the long run.
But what are the determining factors in the quality of decking materials? It goes without saying that flimsy wood of any kind should be avoided at all costs, but other factors aren’t so apparent. Durability against weather elements, resilience to pests, and lasting aesthetics all contribute to the need (or lack thereof) for maintenance. Generally, the higher quality materials offer great durability features. Want to step up the quality even more? Composite decking boards offer yet another layer of protection from the elements!
3: Prioritizer Structural Integrity
Under no circumstances should you compromise on the structural integrity of any deck. Without proper foundational aspects like proper support, framing, and anchoring translates to a long-lasting structure. It also means the deck you’re building will be up to code and free of any safety risks. And speaking of safety risks…
4: Incorporate Safety Features
Deck builders should always prioritize safety. You don’t want to bear the financial or conscious burden of one of your decks collapsing or causing some other form of injury. Those staircases and decks with questionable railings may look cool and modern, but they’re injuries waiting to happen. Consider the often overlooked issue of sunburn, as well. Being outside is great, but too much sun can do a lot of damage to the skin. If your customers are looking for some shade options, an awning is just the ticket!
Of course, no deck comes with a rock solid guarantee that there won’t be an injury; humans can be chaotic and unpredictable no matter what safety tips their deck contractor gives them. What if kids are being rowdy and one of them falls? That’s why you should always have adequate liability insurance coverage. If the unthinkable happens on a deck you built, it’s good to have taken precautions.
5: Regular Maintenance and Inspections
When that final nail has been hammered, the work is done, right? Wrong!
Encourage your customers to take care of their new deck so they can enjoy it for years to come. We’ve already discussed choosing durable materials, but wear and tear is bound to happen no matter what you use. Given enough time, deterioration happens. Sometimes it’s not apparent, which is why you should encourage regular inspections by a professional deck contractor. Educating your customer on basic maintenance routines can also build invaluable trust!
Conclusion
In following these five tips, new deck builders (and those who are a bit rusty) can provide consistent quality in all their projects. Thorough planning, quality materials selection, safety prioritization, and more can help you build an impressive reputation and goodwill in your target customer base.
When you’re ready to purchase those quality decking materials, give Ladiesburg Lumber a visit. With so many options, deck contractors can make great things happen!
