Size & height
Footprint, levels, elevation, and structural spans affect both material and labour.
Cost & planning
A useful price needs a useful scope.
A square-foot number cannot tell you what happens at the house, under the deck, around the stairs, or when the old structure comes out. We prefer a written scope you can actually compare.
Straight answers
What moves the price
These six factors usually matter more than the board colour.
Surface & finish
Board line, layout, border details, fascia, hidden fasteners, and waste factor matter.
Stairs & railings
Direction, number of risers, landings, guard length, gates, glass, and handrails add complexity.
Foundation & access
Soil, slope, machinery access, excavation, and utilities shape the approach.
Demolition
Removal, disposal, unknown conditions, and whether anything can safely remain affect a rebuild.
Outdoor features
Privacy, pergolas, lighting, skirting, benches, and protected space below should be scoped early.
Homeowner quote checker
Take the same eight questions to every estimator.
The lowest total is not automatically the lowest-cost project. Mark each row as included, excluded, or still unclear before you compare the final numbers.
Ask us to explain a scope ↗Swipe sideways to mark every column →
Scope itemWhat to verifyIncludedExcludedUnclear
01Drawings & permits
Who prepares drawings, submits, pays fees, schedules inspections, and handles revisions?
02Foundation & framing
Are footings, beams, joists, blocking, connectors, hardware, and framing specifications written down?
03Decking system
Is the exact manufacturer, product line, colour, board layout, fastening, fascia, and waste allowance named?
04Stairs & railings
Are stair direction, landings, guards, handrails, gates, posts, and connection details included?
05House & water
How will the deck meet the home, siding, doors, utilities, flashing, slope, drainage, or dry space below?
06Removal & access
Are demolition, disposal, utility locates, machinery access, site protection, and cleanup included?
07Schedule & changes
What is the proposed sequence, what can change it, and how are added costs approved before work continues?
08Payment & warranty
Are deposit, progress payments, final payment, workmanship coverage, product coverage, and claim steps clear?
Tip: print this page or save it as a PDF, then write the contractor’s answers directly on the checklist.
WBD payment policy
Three milestones. No mystery balance.
The standard contract ties payments to visible points in the work. Your signed project documents show the exact dollar amounts and remain the final agreement.
Contract acceptance
The deposit reserves labour scheduling and allows materials, permit applications, and project scheduling to begin after funds clear.
Substantial completion
The progress payment is due when the deck reaches substantial completion, as defined by the project scope.
Final completion
The final payment is due after final completion and the passed final inspection.
Changes stay written: additions, deletions, substitutions, price changes, and schedule impacts require a signed change order before changed work proceeds. Invoices are issued through Jobber and are due on receipt.
No fake precision
Your price should reflect your yard, your design, and a written scope.
We would rather explain a site-specific number than advertise a range that hides the features, exclusions, or construction details that actually drive cost.
Start with the space