When you compare deck bids, two quotes can call for the same composite decking and the same aluminum railing and still come in at very different prices. We get asked about this a lot. The answer lies in the installation and the builder doing the work.
To judge each bid fairly, look closely at who is building your deck. Study the builder’s experience, the quality of their past work, and what each contract covers. Here is how we break it down for homeowners.
Why Similar Deck Bids Can Differ So Much
When two contracts list the same brand of composite and the same brand of railing, the price gap comes down to how those materials get installed.
The Car Analogy
We often compare deck building to car manufacturing. Many cars use the same types of aluminum, leather, rubber, and plastic. What separates them is the precision of assembly, the attention to detail, the quality of craftsmanship, the follow-through, and the quality control.
Decks work the same way. The raw materials set a baseline, and the builder determines the final result.
Same Materials, Two Very Different Decks
A Deckorators Vista composite deck with a Westbury aluminum railing can be the pride and joy of your home. It is the kind of space you want your neighbors, friends, and family to see.
That same combination of Deckorators Vista decking and Westbury railing can also look unsightly when it is installed incorrectly. You may not even want guests on it. The biggest difference is the builder.
Pro Tip: Two bids with identical material specs are not identical bids. The builder’s skill shapes how your finished deck looks and performs.
How To Compare Deck Bids from Different Builders
Once the materials match, your attention should shift to the people doing the work.
Start With an Apples-to-Apples Comparison
Confirm that each contract uses:
- The same type of materials
- The same framing member sizes
- The same spacing
If these specs match and the prices still differ, the builder is the next thing to evaluate.
Research Each Builder’s Track Record
Dig into each contractor before you sign. We recommend you look at:
- Experience: How long they have been building decks
- Reviews: What past clients say about their work
- Photos: Pictures of their completed projects
- Job site visits: A finished deck or two that you can see up close and in person
One builder may be very good at what they do, and the other may not be. A visit to a finished project is one of the clearest ways to tell them apart.
Need expert help with your deck project? Contact DW Decks to schedule a consultation and talk through the bids you have received.
What a Low Bid Might Leave Out
Some gaps in a lower bid don’t show up until later. Read each contract closely for the items below.
Permits and Code Compliance
Ask whether the builder is pulling a permit and whether their price includes seeing that permit through to completion. Then check whether the contract calls out:
- The framing details
- How the deck attaches to the house
- Pier sizes that are code compliant
When one bid spells these out, and another doesn’t, that difference can account for part of the price gap.
Why Experience Costs More
A builder who hasn’t been in business as long may need the work more or be going through a tougher stretch, which can affect their pricing.
Craftsmanship plays the larger role. Anyone who fine-tunes their trade over time will charge more, because skilled labor costs more. Deck building is a matter of accretion. You get better the longer you do it.
A deck we build today is light years ahead of one we built 25 years ago. We have built thousands of decks since then, and each one has made us better at the work. That experience is where a lot of price differences come from.
Key Takeaway: A lower price can reflect missing permit work, framing and attachment details that aren’t spelled out, or less experience. Ask each builder to explain exactly what their number includes.
Choose the Builder Behind the Bid
Similar deck bids differ because of the builder. Match the materials, framing sizes, and spacing first. Then review each contractor’s experience, reviews, photos, and finished work, and confirm that permits and code requirements are covered.
If you have bids in hand and want a second opinion, contact DW Decks to schedule a consultation. Our team will walk you through the details so you can compare deck bids with confidence.