by Gary Wollenhaupt

Created on: February 05, 2009

Sure, you could build a backyard deck in a weekend with your buddies, beer and power tools. But with families spending more time at home and backyard amenities paying off at resale time, using a deck contractor will offer your family an outdoor space to remember.

A qualified decking contractor can help design and construct a deck that will add value to your home and provide years of enjoyment.

A well-built deck can extend the house outdoors and provide a comfortable place off the den, kitchen or family room to relax and entertain. Spending time on the deck is like a walk in the woods without leaving the yard.

A deck designed and constructed to meet the building codes where you live can also provide a strong return on investment when it comes time to sell your home. Remodeling Online notes the national average cost for a deck addition is almost $8,000, but you may get back as much as 55 percent of that cost when you sell your home.

So when does it make sense to call a contractor? A basic square deck on level ground maybe a doable in a weekend project, but uneven ground, multiple levels and amenities such as built-in seats and flowerboxes will tax the talents of the handiest of homeowners.

A contractor's knowledge really pays off when it comes time to planning your deck and getting the proper permits to build.

Building permit and zoning rules vary by municipalities, so towns within the same county can have different rules.

Building codes vary depending on how a deck is attached to the house, how many inches off the ground it is and the types of railings that are required. Your homeowner's policy may not cover accidents if the deck does not meet those codes.

A good contractor also provides design skills that will result in a deck that fulfills your family's needs but also fits the style of your home and adds esthetic value that comes into play at resale time, as well as when you invite friends over for barbecue.

A good design provides more functionality in less space. Deck designers help homeowners go beyond a rectangular deck with a table in the middle of it.

A contractor also can advise you on the proper materials based on how you plan to use your deck, including the latest engineered decking materials made from wood fibers or recycled polyethylene plastic. These new materials don't need to be painted or stained, and they come ready to install. Traditional wood decks made out of fir, cedar or mahogany will outlast those constructed out of standard pressure-treated lumber found at most home stores.

Qualified contractors often offer some form of warranty. That means in a specified period of time, usually 30 to 90 days, they will come back and fix any problems with workmanship. If a board comes loose or breaks, they will replace it under the warranty. It's hard to get your buddies to come back and make some thing right after the weekend is over.

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