Great news! You've decided to build a beautiful new deck in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC and are looking at hiring a contractor. As you are determining which contractors are reliable and are collecting bids, you will begin to notice differences in the design and estimation process between deck builders.

These differences are telling of what working with a screened porch builder will be like. How long does it take to get a home estimate, and is it fully detailed? Are you being walked through the process? Are they asking the right questions? Ultimately, a contractor like Design Builders' first objective is to help you visualize your final project, be it a screened porch, outdoor kitchen, home addition, or interior renovation.

When considering contractors for your decking, addition, or home improvement project, it can be tempting to choose the one who promises to get the job done for the lowest cost, especially if you’re working within a tighter budget. But while hiring a low-cost contractor may seem like a good way to save money at first, doing so can end up costing you a lot more down the line.

How to Determine if Your Contractor’s Estimate is Accurate

Most contractors in Maryland and Virginia will break down a project into thirds when conceiving an estimate. In practice, these thirds consist of (1) materials, (2) labor and (3) overhead expenses and profit. However, the total presented in an initial estimate is not always an accurate projection of how much a build will actually cost, be it a deck, screened porch, or outdoor kitchen design. Inexperienced or shady contractors do not always account for additional fees, unexpected costs, and other pricey details that can arise after a build is started.

You’ve decided to hire a decking contractor. Congratulations! Enlisting a seasoned professional is the first step towards finding someone who you can partner with to help bring your dream deck into fruition.

Things get get messy however when you're deciding on who to actually employ. After all, not only will this person be charged with creating an important addition to your home, they’ll be spending a lot of time on your property and working with you to give updates and receive feedback as needed.

Why it is important to hire a decking contractor with strong design capabilities

You know you want a deck. You’ve been dreaming of one for years now. Having barbecues with friends and family members. Inviting people over for the big game or to watch fireworks on the 4^th.

And while you have a vague picture of what you want, you still expect the deck contractor you hire to come with suggestions and design ideas of their own. If there is something specific you want that cannot be fulfilled for example, you want someone who can offer a viable alternative. In short, you don’t just want someone to help you build your deck; you want a partner to help you design it.