5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Deck Contractor

Protect Your Project Before It Starts

Hiring a contractor for an exterior hardwood project is a significant investment. Whether it's a backyard deck, a commercial boardwalk, or a building facade, the right questions upfront can prevent expensive problems down the road.

Here are five questions every homeowner or project manager should ask.

1. "Have you worked with this specific species before?"

This is the most important question, and you'd be surprised how many people skip it. A contractor who's built 500 composite decks and 200 pressure-treated decks may have zero experience with Ipe or Cumaru. These materials behave differently in almost every way—cutting, drilling, fastening, finishing, and movement.

Listen for specifics. "I've worked with hardwoods" is vague. "I've installed about thirty Ipe decks and fifteen Cumaru projects over the past four years" tells you something real.

2. "What fasteners will you use, and why?"

The correct answer involves stainless steel—specifically 305, 316, or proprietary stainless systems designed for hardwood. If the answer is "standard deck screws" or "whatever's in the truck," that's a red flag.

Ask about pre-drilling, too. Anyone installing tropical hardwood without pre-drilling is going to split your boards.

3. "How will you handle acclimation?"

Tropical hardwoods are typically kiln-dried for shipping but need to acclimate to local conditions before installation. The right answer involves storing the material on-site, elevated and covered, for a period appropriate to your climate. If the contractor plans to install the day the lumber arrives, push back.

4. "Can I see examples of previous hardwood projects?"

Photos are good. Referrals from past clients are better. A contractor who's proud of their hardwood work will be happy to share both. Pay attention to detailing—how do the boards meet at corners? Are the screw lines straight? How do the edges look?

5. "Do you hold any certifications specific to exterior hardwood?"

This is where EHCI comes in. A certified professional has demonstrated verified knowledge through standardized testing. It's not a guarantee of perfection, but it's the closest thing the industry has to an objective quality signal.

You can verify any EHCI credential instantly at ehcertification.com/Verify.

Trust, But Verify

A good contractor won't be offended by these questions. They'll welcome them—because they know the answers set them apart from the competition.