custom deck contractor Archives - Decks, Decks, and More Decks

Best Practices for Hiring Contractors

The construction world is filled with an assortment of different contractors you can hire for specific types of home projects. There are custom deck contractors, remodeling contractors, general contractors, and many variations in-between. Actually, there are contractors in nearly every industry. A contractor is a person or company that engages in a contracted agreement with you to provide materials, services, or both. Whether you’re hiring a contractor to build you a custom deck in Omaha, or a contractor to build a pool, there are best practices you should follow to protect your investment and increase the odds of a good outcome.

Do Your Homework

Always do your homework before hiring a contractor. Start by checking the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB was founded in 1912 as a private, nonprofit organization that focuses on providing marketplace transparency to identify good and bad companies. Angie’s List is another great resource that provides verified reviews and comparisons of local companies. Last but not least, check Google. All businesses today should have a Google My Business account and a good amount of Google reviews.

No Deposits Necessary

If you do a little digging, you’ll find countless stories of people giving money to contractors who never complete the service or disappear altogether. Established companies generally don’t need a deposit to get started. Some companies may ask for a deposit to cover material costs, but be wary, because it’s a sign they’re either new and don’t have enough capital to get through a job without a deposit, or they manage their finances poorly. If they get into a pinch, you can’t depend on them to fulfill their contract.

Years of Experience vs. Years in Business

If you see a company that started a few years ago claiming to have 90 years of experience, that’s a red flag. They may have 20 employees, and altogether their experience adds up to 90 years, and who knows exactly what the “experience” was. The smart and safe thing to do is go with a company that has been in business for decades. If they made the “years of experience” claim, you’d see “we have 500 years of experience.” If a company has survived for over ten years and has good reviews, they’re a solid choice.

Beware of Fly-By-Night Contractors

The fly-by-night contractor may someday literally knock on your door and make you an offer that sounds too good to be true. And it almost always is too good to be true. Fly-by-night contractors usually don’t have a website, are not local, and often can be spotted by the following:

• Solicits door-to-door
• Only accepts cash or asks for full payment up-front
• Pressures you to make an immediate decision
• Offers discounts for finding other customers
• Asks you to obtain the building permit for the project
• Can’t be found online or in a local directory

Looking for a Custom Deck in Omaha this Summer?

Decks, Decks, and More Decks is a local family-owned custom deck building company. Since 1980 we have been adding beauty to backyards all over the Omaha, Nebraska area. But don’t take our word for it.

Check out our Google Reviews

Check out our rating on the BBB

Look at our Angie’s List profile

Avoid the DIY Deck Trap

DIY decking materials from large box stores are tempting because of their low price point compared to the high-grade warranty-backed materials used by the professional deck companies. While the brand name is recognizable, the reality is the manufacturers have produced watered-down versions for the DIY box store customer. The result is you save more now and pay more later.

Adding a deck to your home should be viewed as an investment in your home. Good investments take the long view. Hiring a custom deck builder is the safest and wisest way to add a custom deck to your home. We’re going to take a closer look at the risks of DIY decks and how they actually cost you more than using professional-grade materials and professional deck construction companies.

DIY Decks – What Could Go Wrong?

The deck is one of the most common DIY projects. However, many things can and do go wrong with decks. There’s the footings, lack of permits, the height, quality of materials, clearance from property lines, and lot more. One of the biggest issues comes with that attachment to your home. If it’s not attached correctly, you may find yourself dealing with water infiltration and costly damage to doors, window, flooring, and sub-flooring.

Deck Design and Planning

Before you start sourcing your materials, you first need to design and plan your deck. Where do you want it? Is where you want it feasible? How large will it be? How tall? What kind of railing, lights, and stairs will your deck have? If you’re already overwhelmed, don’t feel bad. Designing and planning a deck is difficult. There are more variables to consider than most people realize. When you go with a professional deck builder, you know you’re getting a deck that’s going to work from a structure and aesthetic standpoint with your home. Professional deck building companies have software that can render an accurate picture of what your deck will look like, and give you an accurate number of material costs and time to complete the project.

DIY Deck Construction

Putting all the materials together correctly to build a functional and aesthetically pleasing deck will require a massive time investment if you’re not trained in the deck building. Everyone’s time is worth something. If you want to turn your building a deck into a several month project and chip away at it after work and on the weekends, you can. However, for most people, the time commitment in fixing mistakes, making repeated trips to the hardware store, and getting people to help aren’t worth the extra resource costs that come with DIY deck construction. You will save money on materials, but spend more on everything else, and your deck will not be the same quality as a professionally built deck.

Omaha Custom Deck Builders

Give us a call today and schedule your deck build. If you’re not sure what you want, come by our showroom and see what we can offer in person. One of our deck building experts can walk you through all of your options and give you a free quote.

(402) 690-1050

Trex Custom Built Decks

Are you thinking about transforming your Omaha outdoor space with an elite, custom-built deck? We’ve been deck building in Omaha for nearly forty years and have found Trex® materials to be some of the most outstanding low maintenance decking available. Let’s take a more in-depth look into what makesTrex® an excellent choice for your Omaha custom deck.

What is a Trex® Built Deck?

Trex® has been an industry leader for low maintenance composite decks since 1996. There are four highlight features theTrex® brand is famous for.

Protective shell – Nobody likes a deck with scratches.
Deep Wood Grain – The texture of wood grain is deep and looks authentic.
Eco-Friendly -Trex® decks are made with 95% recycled materials.
Dozens of Rich Colors and Textures – An expansive catalog of colors and textures ensure you get precisely what you want.

An Industry Leading Warranty

A Trex® deck will not rot, warp, crack or be eaten by termites. AllTrex® products come with a 25-year limited residential warranty against material defects, fading, and stains.Trex® can offer such an extended warranty because they make a product that surpasses the warranty. It’s that good.

Trex® vs. Wood

A low maintenance custom deck made withTrex® comes loaded with benefits that make it a superior choice to wood decking. First off, it’s stain and fade resistant. It’s not going to warp, rot, crack, or split like wood. Mold and mildew is never a problem. Termites are never going to make a meal out of it. It’s splinter-free so the kids can run freely without you worrying. It’s easy to clean – just use some soap and water.

Trex® Composite Decking Lineup

Trex® decking has options for all aesthetic tastes and budgets.

The TrexTransend® line has elevated aesthetics paired with the highest level of performance. It comes in earth and tropical tones. Some Tropical tone favorites include Havana Gold, Spiced Rum, and Island Mist. If you’re looking for a more earthy tone try Gravel Path, Fire Pit, or Vintage Lantern.
The TrexSelect® line is the perfect pairing of price and minimal maintenance. This lineup comes in some stunning earth tone colors that include Pebble Grey, Saddle, and Woodland Brown.

The TrexEnhance® lineup offers an authentic wood-grain appearance for the beauty of wood with the ease of composite. The Enhance color lineup includes natural colors like Coastal Bluff, Foggy Wharf, and Toasted Sand.

More than Decking

Trex® offers more than just decks. Their same low-maintenance innovations are available inTrex® railing and outdoor lighting. When you get your custom deck through us, we can put together a complete package that includes the deck, railing, steps, and an®y exterior lighting. Everything is custom-designed to your liking. If you’re not sure which combinations of railing and lighting are best, we can show you what all your options would look like.

SeeTrex® Decking in Person

If you’re sold onTrex® or on the fence, we recommend you come to see it in person to truly appreciate this state of the art low maintenance decking material. Everyone is amazed at the engineering and beauty once they hold a piece ofTrex® decking material in their hands. When you come to our showroom, you get to see up close how a custom-built deck can transform your outdoor space and become an additional living room for you and your family.

A Deck is an Outdoor Living Room

The Omaha custom deck builder you hired just finished building your dream deck. Everything matches the design perfectly, and you couldn’t be happier. You thank your deck contractor, and now the fun begins. A deck is not just a deck – it’s an outdoor living space that can become as popular or more popular than your living room.

Get Some Fresh Air and Sun

One of the best things a deck will do for you is get you outside. It gives you an excuse to soak up some vitamin D and take in some fresh air. Nothing revitalizes and energizes like getting out of the house and into the elements, even if just for a short period.

The Perfect Place to Entertain

When you have friends and family over a deck provides the perfect setting for entertaining. Everyone feels more energized outside, and the energy will fuel your gathering. The best conversations are had on a porch swing or patio chair. Entertaining in the open space of your deck eliminates claustrophobia and gives guests the open space to feel comfortable.

Your Second Kitchen

There’s no better place for grilling, smoking or sautéing than your deck. Cooking in the outdoors eliminates smells in your home, and produces delicious meals everyone loves. From grilling steaks, burgers and kabobs to slow smoking a brisket your deck is the perfect second kitchen. Dessert? How about roasting some marshmallows using the fire pit?

Let There Be Light!

Enjoying your deck doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Incorporate low voltage lights on your deck to enjoy it long into the night. You can add lights along the steps and railing, and even adjustable lighting to set the perfect mood.

Always the Right Temperature

If you get a little chilly, you don’t have to abandon your deck. The addition of a fire pit or patio heaters can keep you comfortable when the temps drop. Sitting in the warmth of a flickering fire and breathing the fresh cool outdoor air is the perfect setting for great conversation.

Make it Comfortable

Don’t forget the furniture! There are more options than lawn chairs when it comes to deck furniture. Outdoor wicker couches and chairs allow you to create a second living room in your backyard. You can even match the cushions to your house.

Start Enjoying Your Outdoor Living Room

There are so many things you can do for your custom deck to make it as cozy and get maximum use out of it. Your deck is a living space, make sure to maximize your enjoyment. If you have questions about how to best utilize your deck, or if you’re ready to start shopping for your deck give us a call today.

(402) 690-1050

Investing in a New Deck adds Value to Your Life & Your Home

A new elite deck adds tons of value to your lifestyle. Not only that, but investing in a new deck adds value to your home. Decks are typically in the top three for return on investment. Compared to an addition or attic, building a deck costs a lot less, but provides one of the top ROI’s of any remodel project. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, a homeowner can recoup an average return of 80% on a new deck. A family room addition averages only 69%. We’ve built plenty of custom decks in Omaha over the years, and have seen what it can do for resale value.

4 Factors That Impact Your Deck Return on Investment

Decking Material

Using high-quality composite materials create a deck that will pass the test of time. Composite materials add significant value because of their durability, aesthetics, and low maintenance requirements.

Deck Size

To get the greatest value, your deck should be big enough to use as a comfortable entertainment space. Most people want a deck to enjoy barbecuing and sharing relaxed outdoor time with family and friends. It should have enough space for a grill and a large table with chairs, and some storage space doesn’t hurt.

Easy Access

Making your deck easy to access helps improve its value. A deck that can be accessed from the first-floor kitchen or living room is a lot more impressive to people than a deck built off a master bedroom on the second floor. Kitchen access is desirable because it makes it easy to bring food and other items in and out when you’re entertaining family and guests.

Wow Factor

If your deck has an impressive design, with custom railing, and a strategic layout it’s going to be more fun for you and attractive to future potential buyers. The wow factor of a custom built deck can often be the tipping point that will influence someone to want to buy your home.

How to Get the Best Value Out of Your Deck

Remember, when you’re budgeting for a deck make sure to factor in a recoup value of 70-80%. Take into consideration the size and value of your house pre-deck. Choose a deck design and size that makes sense for your home’s size and style. Before you sign with any deck builder go to their showroom and see the materials in person. It’s one thing to see pictures online, but when you see it in person, you can touch it, and see how it looks in different lighting.

If you stop by our showroom, we can walk you through all of the best options that will fit your budget, and even show you how our design models work. You might not commit to a new deck, but you’ll leave with a lot of knowledge that will make you an informed buyer when you decide to move forward with your new deck construction.

Keeping Satisfied Customers Through the Custom Deck Building Process

At Decks, Decks and More Decks, we strive to provide Omaha homeowners with beautiful, quality custom decks. Our longevity and experience in the deck building industry partnered with our quality, low-maintenance deck materials make this a reality. But on top of these things lies our customer service and our diligence in making sure Omaha homeowners are an integral part of the custom deck building process.

When it comes to any major home improvement project, homeowners want to be sure their money

Low-Maintenance Custom Deck

is well-spent from start to finish. At Deck, Decks and More Decks we realize that while this is the case – a homeowner’s time is valuable, and money and time should be respected. So when you schedule a consultation with us, we make efficient use of time. By visiting the property before a sit-down meeting, it allows us to gain a better understanding of the project. Then, homeowners come to our office where we build a 3D rendering of a custom deck built to your specific needs. It’s always helpful to see a product before purchasing it.

As a company that values homeowner’s needs and opinions, our custom deck building process is completely tailored to ensure customer satisfaction from start to finish. Please contact us to get your custom deck project started before spring!