Find a decking professional near Washington, DC

To find the best deck contractors in DC, conduct an online search of local professionals. Start by comparing the pros’ ratings, as well as any Top Pro badges. You can also see details about some of the contractors’ specialties and how many times they’ve been hired. 

You should also click on a few pros’ profiles so you can learn more about each contractor. For example, you might find details about their pricing, their credentials and even more information about their specialties. This is also where you have an opportunity to read all of their customer reviews and view photos of their completed projects. 

Next, it’s time to look up their credentials. You might be able to see what licenses or certifications that contractors have obtained on their profiles. If not, try searching online. For example, visit DC’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs website to look up professional licenses.

After you’ve come up with a shortlist of deck contractors, ask them to send you free estimates. Hire a deck contractor you believe offers a fair estimate, has experience building decks for DC homes, is qualified for the job and received mostly positive reviews from satisfied customers.

Perform an online search to find top-rated carpenters in Washington, D.C. You can narrow your search by looking for a custom cabinet maker, a framing contractor, a trim or finish carpenter or even a general contractor, depending on the scope of your project. 

Make sure the carpenter you hire has positive reviews from customers and a good work history. And don’t be afraid to contact three or five carpenters to request free estimates, talk about timelines and ask questions.

The cost of building a new deck or porch is $1,500. However, this price can vary depending on a few different factors. The square footage of the space, the type of materials to be used, the intricacy of the project and your specific region can cause the price to fluctuate. To find out how much your new deck will cost, get free estimates from the best deck contractors near you.

For more information, read “How much does it cost to build a deck or porch?”

A back deck may (or may not) increase your home’s value or attract potential buyers if you’re looking to sell. According to the Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features, a new wood deck with an estimated construction cost of $10,000 recovered $8,000 for the overall recovery of 80%. Still, 9% of realtors suggested that home sellers should add a new wood deck before putting their home on the market, and 4% said this project has helped closed deals. 

The impact of adding a new deck will likely depend on its material (wood, composite, etc.) and where you live. For example, if you live in an area where people rarely spend time outside because of the weather, it’s reasonable to predict that prospective home buyers might not rate a deck highly on their list of must-haves when looking for a new home.  

When in doubt, consult with your realtor or a real estate expert to figure out if adding a new deck to your home is the right move to increase your home’s value. If it is, contact the best deck contractors near you to get free estimates and start planning your project.  

Carpenters are skilled craftsmen who build things out of wood. Depending on what the carpenter builds, they may be referred to by various names. A framer is a carpenter who puts up the framing on a house. A trim or finish carpenter installs the finishing touches of prefabricated or custom trim and detail work once a house has been built and the walls are up. A furniture maker or woodworker builds furniture — such as tables, beds and dressers — out of wood. A cabinetmaker is a carpenter who builds custom and semi-custom wood cabinets. If you’re having a home built or remodeled, your general contractor will either provide or subcontract the carpentry work for the framing, cabinets and trim. You can hire a carpenter directly to update the trim in your home, build you a piece of custom furniture, or repair or replace your wood cabinets.

On average, finish carpenters charge $60 per hour. However, this hourly rate will vary depending on where you live, the scope of the project and other factors. For a more accurate estimate, ask for price quotes from at least three finish carpenters in your area.

To set up a consultation or appointment with a general contractor during the COVID-19 pandemic, start by performing an online search for local professionals near you.

Message the contractor, and see if they are willing to set up a video consultation call instead of an in-person site visit. With video chat, the contractor may be able to assess the scale of the project, give you better information on what needs to be done and perhaps provide an estimate. Be sure to discuss virtual payments, as well as general strategies for staying safe.

Currently, many general contractors are using common digital payment services like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, Zelle, Google Pay and more. And more will likely adopt these and similar platforms as coronavirus continues to force companies to take on digital capabilities.

Contact general contractors beforehand to discuss whether they accept digital payments, and take all necessary measures to meet social distancing recommendations. You can also compare general contractors side-by-side online to see which ones accept digital payments.

One of the first questions you should ask is whether the contractor has the proper license or insurance. To be a licensed contractor in many states, they must have the experience and knowledge to pass the requirements from your state’s licensing board. 

You should also inquire if they have done work related to your specific project. Just because they’re a contractor, that doesn’t mean they’ve built a deck or an addition like yours. Ask for photographs of decks they've built in the past, and go online to read reviews from past clients.

You also need to ask for a free estimate from several contractors so you know how much the project will cost you (and so you can pay the best price).

Get started today by contacting the best deck contractors near you. 

To find a good carpenter near you, do the following:

• Use Thumbtack to find a list of carpenters in your area.
• Filter the list by selecting a specific carpentry service, such as general carpentry or cabinetry. 
• Identify carpenters who have high ratings.
• View the carpenters’ profiles and learn more about their specialties. 
• Read their customer reviews and look at photos of their past work.

After you get a good sense of their quality of work, make sure the carpenter has the necessary credentials in your state. Then, request several cost estimates for your project(s).