Not all deck builders are the same.
· Thousands of injuries and deaths occur each year directly related to improper and inadequate deck construction. At the very least, please make sure your project is being constructed with a building permit!
· The following are just a few of the many cases we’ve encountered in the Kansas City Metro area from 1997 – 2008.
· We lost these bids to competitors claiming to build the same quality as us but at a lower price. (We’ll let you be the judge).
· We were called back later to resolve the faulty construction techniques and poor craftsmanship!
Be careful who you hire. The most expensive project is the one that has to be redone. The best priced is the one that requires the least amount of maintenance, lasts the longest, and adds the greatest value to your home.
Improperly installed flashing – it should be behind the siding.
It is also very dangerous. This is the number one cause of deck collapses which often cause serious injury and death.
1. Inadequate joist support. No joist hangers.
2. Inadequate ledger board attachment. No washer on lag bolts, lag bolts installed too close to edge of board, lag bolt spacing too far apart.
1. Inadequate footings – support posts not in full contact with piers
2. No standoff or attachment connection between post and pier
(Notice how they even tried to push some of the posts out of level to hit the piers)
Hopefully, a poorly built deck is discovered before something terrible happens.
Double check to make sure you know what you’re getting! An estimate’s text is pretty vague. Don’t trust word description to describe the quality, style and type of work to be performed.
Make sure you can view the contractor’s previous work first hand by visiting decks they’ve previously built.
Don’t just take my word for it. For more pictures and info, visit http://www.deckfailure.com
Hope this helps,
Dan Milford (DW Elite Decks - Kansas City deck builder)
