How to choose a deck contractor

How to choose a contractor? Tips for working well together

Having a clear idea of the deck before work starts is key. Should it have a roof, a railing, a privacy screen or electrical sockets? The more you know from the start, the cheaper and smoother the build will be. As you know, extra requests usually come at a cost.

1. Design

For good cooperation, it also helps to realise that a 250 m² deck makes different demands from a 50 m² deck – especially when it comes to design, planning and building the foundations.

Design inspiration!

On the ESSVE Pinterest account you will find plenty of inspiration for building a deck. Are you planning to build a pool? Do you have planting on your plot? Do you want an unusual shape or a cosy gazebo? You can have it all – forget about limits.

A timber deck next to a black wooden house. Two sun loungers on the deck face a meadow.

Two carpenters install a timber deck together using the HDS hidden fixing system.

2. Check the price of the decking boards

Is the contractor's quote reasonable? If you want to compare quotes, builders' merchants offer plenty of digital tools for planning a deck. They help you get an idea of how much wood, hardware and decking screws you will need.

3. Choosing wood

When the contractor suggests different types of wood, think about these questions:

What should the deck look like?
How much money can you spend on wood?
How much time do you want to spend maintaining the deck?
Does environmental protection matter to you?
Do you want to walk barefoot on the decking boards?

A carpenter sits on the steps of a timber deck, driving screws with a cordless screwdriver.

4. The right type of screws

The right type of screws is key to the durability of the whole deck structure. Our climate, with large swings in humidity and temperature, makes wood move, which can damage the screws.

Make sure you know the differences in quality and corrosion resistance classes between the different types of screws the contractor may offer you. The contractor will probably suggest stainless steel screws. They are the best choice regardless of the type of wood, location and size of the deck, so you can simply accept the suggestion – the fasteners will then be the most durable part of your deck.

Why stainless steel screws?

5. Buying materials

It can be tempting to buy the building materials yourself, as it may seem that you will save money. However, the number of parts needed and the knowledge of an experienced contractor are good reasons to rely on their recommendations.

Is it worth it? Many contractors do not give a warranty on deck-building materials that you bought yourself! A miscalculated quantity or the wrong type of parts can cause delays and increase the building costs.