Choosing the right contractor will dictate how your deck turns out and what value it adds to your home. While these deck contractors may bid lower than the market, they do shift the burden to you in the form of unnecessary risks and even safety concerns.
1. Avoiding Permits
Permits, foreclosure, and lack of building permits are among the foremost and most common mistakes by unlicensed deck contractors. In cities like Toronto, all deck constructions and renovations require a permit and inspection to stay in compliance with the required local building codes.
Why this is a problem:
- Use of permits lends you the privilege to work. Work done without permits may be ordered to stop or be torn down.
- You will be charged fines and incur legal issues depending on the jurisdiction of work.
- Insurance does not provide coverage without unpermitted structures.
Always hire a contractor like https://decksforlife.ca/deck-builder-in-vaughan/ who handles all the permits on your behalf.
2. Using inappropriate or lower-grade materials
While unlicensed contractors are cutting corners, they are most likely using inappropriately low-grade materials to cut costs.
Why is this a problem
- This impacts both the deck’s safety and its durability.
- Untreated wood in ground-contact areas is one of the most common issues, along with fasteners that rust quickly or fail easily under pressure.
- Misalignment of deck boards and joists.
With Canadian building standards in mind, request a detailed material list to ensure compliance.
3. Poor Structural Framing
A deck’s structure forms its safety and strength foundations. Unlicensed contractors may lack the technical know-how to create proper framing, which may lead to structural failure.
Red flags:
- Decks that are uneven, sagging, or bouncy
- Poorly sized or spaced joists (too small)
- Poorly sized or attached ledger boards
How to avoid it:
A contractor that provides engineered plans and frames using code-compliant methods is a far safer option.
4. Omission of deck safety features
Decks demand strong boards, but safe features such as railings, stairway, and non-slip surfaces are also critical. Unlicensed builders often skip or poorly establish these features.
Problems:
- Lack of child-safe features
- Edges and fasteners that extend beyond the surface, nails or screws that extend beyond the surface.
How to avoid it:
Confirm detailed safety features your contractor will implement, and then check compliance with minimum height, spacing, and dimension rules for railings, steps, and stairs.
5. Absence of Contract and Warranty
Unlicensed contractors may operate without formal contracts or warranty guarantees. This puts homeowners in danger of losing money and dealing with substandard work.
What can go wrong:
- Disputes over payment or scope of work
- No safety if defects appear after the job is done
- Difficulty arriving at the contractor for repairs or follow-up
How to prevent it:
Never agree to spoken agreements alone.
Conclusion
Want to enjoy your backyard without stressing over lawsuits or busted boards? Go with a legit, licensed pro. Seriously. Check their creds, grill them with questions, and don’t sign anything until you’re sure they know their stuff. Your future self (and your ankles) will thank you.
