A well-built deck can turn your backyard into a space you’ll actually use—picture morning coffee in the sun, but only if every board is placed just right. At TheFixItGuys, we’ve watched far too many Canadian homeowners end up with blown budgets, cracked foundations, and stacks of legal papers, all because they didn’t vet their contractors carefully.
This guide walks you through questions to ask a contractor before you sign, designed with Canada’s chilly winters, strict building codes, and industry rules in mind. Whether you’re dealing with Vancouver’s steady drizzle or Toronto’s sharp freeze-thaw swings, asking these questions safeguards your investment and helps your deck stand strong for decades. For more details on our professional deck building services that include all these safeguards, visit our dedicated page.
Why Vetting Deck Contractors Matters in Canada
In Canada, decks take a beating from freeze-thaw cycles, the weight of heavy snow, and the tight rules set by local bylaws. In 2023, a Canadian Home Builders’ Association study revealed that 34% of decks needed repairs within five years, often from sloppy workmanship like uneven boards or loose nails.
- Unlicensed contractors often cut corners, like skipping the NBC’s load requirements, leaving beams that creak under weight and require our deck-repair services .
- Material selection: Using untreated wood in moisture-prone areas.
- Permit compliance: Skipping permits for decks over 24″ high (mandatory nationwide).
Material choice matters, untreated wood swells and warps fast when it sits in damp spots like a bathroom floor.
You can’t skip the permit if your deck stands more than 24 inches off the ground—this rule applies everywhere. So what happened in the end?
Explanation of Essential Questions
Key Questions to ask a contractor
1.Are You Licensed and Insured in My Province?
2.How Will You Handle Permits and Code Compliance?
3.What Deck Materials Do You Recommend for My Climate?
4.Can You Provide a Detailed, Itemized Quote?
5.What’s Your Project Timeline and Weather Contingency Plan?
6.Who Will Supervise the Project Daily?
7.What Warranty Do You Provide on Workmanship?
8.How Will You Protect My Property During Construction?
9.Can I See 3 Recent Local Deck Projects?
10.What’s Included in Post-Build Support?
Are You Licensed and Insured in My Province?
1.Why it matters: Licensing varies by province (e.g., BC requires Residential Builder Licenses;Ontario mandates HCRA registration).
2.Follow-ups
- Can I see your license number for online verification?
- Does your policy include WSIB/Labour Board coverage?
- Red flag: Vague answers like “We’re fully certified” without proof.
- Canadian context: In Quebec, contractors must hold a RBQ license, Alberta requires Safety Codes Council certification.
How Will You Handle Permits and Code Compliance?
1.Why it matters: Permits ensure your deck meets NBC standards for guardrails (42″ height), footing depth (below frost line), and load capacity.
2.Key requirements:
- Permits: Required for decks >24″ high or attached to homes.
- Inspections: Mandatory at framing and completion stages.
- Questions to Ask a Contractor : Will you provide stamped engineering drawings for complex designs?
- Pro tip: Municipalities like Calgary and Halifax have additional snow-load requirements.
What Deck Materials Do You Recommend for My Climate?
1.Why it matters: Material choice impacts longevity and maintenance.
2.Material comparison:
| Material | Best Climate | Lifespan (Years) | Cost (CAD/sq.ft.) |
| Pressure-Treated | All regions | 10-15 | $25-$40 |
| Cedar | Dry climates | 15-20 | $45-$65 |
| Composite | High moisture | 25-30 | $60-$100 |
| PVC | Coastal areas | 30+ | $80-$120 |
3.Follow–up: How do these materials handle freeze-thaw cycles in my region?
4.Canadian insight: Avoid aluminum decking in hail-prone Alberta.
Can You Provide a Detailed, Itemized Quote?
1.Why it matters: Vague quotes hide costs and lead to overruns.
2.Demand these line items:
- Materials (brand, grade, quantity)
- Labour (hourly rate vs. Why it matters: fuzzy quotes keep real costs in the shadows, and before you know it, the bill’s blown past the budget.
- Canadian pricing: Decks cost $50-$150/sq.ft. Be sure to ask for these specific details:
Materials include the brand, grade, and exact quantity, and labour, with the hourly rate spelled out clearly.
What’s Your Project Timeline and Weather Contingency Plan?
1.Why it matters: Weather delays cost time and money.
2.Questions to ask a contractor:
- “How many days will construction take?”
- “How do you handle rain/snow delays?”
- “What penalties apply for missed deadlines?”
3.Reality check: Canadian builds lose 12-18 days/year to weather.
Who Will Supervise the Project Daily?
1.Why it matters: Unsupervised subcontractors cause 68% of complaints.
2.Follow-ups:
- I meet the site foreman before starting?
- How often will you be on-site?
3.Pro tip: Avoid contractors who “pop in weekly.
What Warranty Do You Provide on Workmanship?
1.Why it matters: Manufacturer warranties (e.g., Trex’s 25-year coverage) don’t cover poor installation.
2.Minimum standards:
- 1-year workmanship warranty (mandatory in MB, QC)
- Written terms covering structural defects
3.Critical clause: “Warranty voided if homeowner stains/seals improperly.”
How Will You Protect My Property During Construction?
1.Why it matters: Debris and damage cause neighbor disputes and safety risks.
2.Non-negotiables:
- Daily cleanup and debris removal
- Landscaping protection (tarps, fencing)
- Dust control for attached decks
3.Red flag: We’ll clean up at the end.
Can I See 3 Recent Local Deck Projects?
1.Why it matters: Past work predicts future quality.
2.Verification steps:
- Visit projects in person (check for sagging, uneven boards)
- Call references (ask about budget/timeline adherence)
- Request photos of winter conditions (ice/snow performance)
3.Canadian tip: questions to ask a contractor that how decks handled last winter’s snow load.
What’s Included in Post-Build Support?
1.Why it matters: Decks need maintenance to last.
2.Value-adds to expect:
- Deck care guide (Canadian-specific maintenance)
- 1-year follow-up inspection
- Emergency contact for repairs (e.g., loose railings after freeze-thaw)
3.Follow-up: Do you offer maintenance packages?
Contractor Red Flags
Steer clear of contractors who, for example, leave tools scattered in the driveway.
- Downplay permits: “No permit needed for small decks” (false for any deck >24″ high).
- Downplay permits: Claiming No permit needed for small decks sounds harmless, but it’s false if your deck stands higher than 24 inches—about the length of two stacked shoeboxes.
- Demand cash payments: Tax evasion means no warranty recourse.
Number two.
- Useless vague material: Premium wood could mean untreated spruce.
Ask for cash, and you’ll dodge taxes, but don’t expect any warranty help when things go wrong.
- Lack local references: Out-of-province contractors don’t understand regional codes.
Number three.
- Avoid written contracts: Verbal agreements aren’t enforceable in small claims court.
- Stat: 42% of deck-related complaints to the Canadian Consumer Protection Agency involve unlicensed contractors.
Provincial Permit Quick Guide
| Province | Permit Threshold | Key Requirements |
| Ontario | >24″ high, >108 sq.ft. | NBC Part 9, SB-12 |
| British Columbia | >24″ high, >107 sq.ft. | BC Building Code Book II |
| Alberta | >24″ high | Safety Codes Act, frost depth |
| Quebec | All attached decks | RBQ License, CCQ regulations |
Conclusion
Ask these 10 questions, and your deck project shifts from a roll of the dice to a sure win—like knowing the wood’s smooth under your hand before you even start. At TheFixItGuys, we screen every contractor for proper licensing, solid insurance, and know-how that works in Canada’s tough winters.
Ready to get building?
Download our free Deck Contractor Scorecard to confidently compare bids. Use it to evaluate deck-building offers with ease, just like spotting the difference between smooth cedar and rough pine.
