Know what you want your backyard to do for you. List must-haves like shade, privacy, storage, seating, or a grilling area. Add nice-to-haves you can phase in later, such as lighting or built-in planters.
Set a budget range before you call anyone. Include a cushion for surprises like soil issues or extra footings. Clear constraints help pros suggest smarter designs and avoid costly changes.
Many backyard projects need permits, and timelines can hinge on approvals. Ask each carpenter how they handle drawings, submittals, and inspections. Pros who work in your city often can flag setbacks, height limits, and utility locations fast.
City rules can be specific. A municipal deck guide in Missouri notes that decks 30 inches or higher above grade need a permit, and decks attached to a home do as well. Use local examples like this to shape questions for your inspector and your contractor.
Materials decide how your deck or pergola ages. Pressure-treated lumber is common for structure, and cedar or composite can top the surface. Stainless or coated hardware prevents stains and keeps connections strong in the weather.
Have the pro list brands and grades in the contract. Include fasteners, flashing tape, post bases, railing kits, and finish or stain.
Good details upfront cut surprises and help with maintenance later. For instance, Platinum Deck and Patio can offer examples of how different materials perform in a real backyard context, and your carpenter should do the same with past builds, photos, and references. Ask for 2 to 3 recent clients with similar projects so you can learn about timelines, site cleanup, and communication.
A short call tells you more than a glossy gallery.
Good carpentry experts welcome verification. Request their legal business name, license number if required, and insurance documents. Then check that the details match on the official records.
Many states offer license lookup tools for contractors. One well-known state board lets you confirm an active license, see classifications, and view certain complaint disclosures. Treat this step as routine - it protects you and rewards honest pros.
Ask for three detailed bids that break out labor, materials, footings, hardware, finish, and disposal. Line items make it easier to compare apples to apples. If one price is far lower, find out what is missing.
Aim for bids that describe the build method, not just the look. This is where you can compare 6x6 posts vs 4x4, joist spans, fastener types, and railing systems. A clear scope keeps quality high and change orders low.
Backyard carpentry is part design, part engineering, and part weatherproofing. Ask for photos of similar projects and a quick walk-through of how they solved drainage, soil, and privacy on past jobs. Listen for specifics, not vague promises.
Choose someone who explains tradeoffs in plain language. You want a partner who says why a detail matters, like why to flash ledger boards or space deck boards for airflow. If they can teach it simply, they can usually build it well.
Permits can stall a project if no one owns the paperwork. Clarify whether the carpenter applies, who draws the site plan, and who schedules inspections. Get target dates for submittal and review so you can plan around them.
A large city’s permit page explains that deck projects require building permits and sometimes zoning review. That means your pro should expect plan comments and be ready to revise. Pros who build locally know how to keep that loop moving.
Set a realistic start window and duration, plus what could shift those dates. Weather, inspections, and special-order parts can all move the schedule. Builders should share a simple sequence, so you know what is next.
Backyard work changes how you use your home for a bit. Decide on material staging spots, daily cleanup, and how pets and kids stay safe. Expect some noise, sawdust, and foot traffic. Clear rules make the workday smoother for everyone.
Business name, license or registration details, and insurance information
Full scope with drawings and materials list
Payment schedule tied to milestones, not dates
Permit responsibility and inspection handling
Change the order process and unit costs
Start window, estimated duration, and cleanup plan
Warranty terms on labor and materials
Use milestone payments based on completed work, like footings done, framing passed, and final inspection. Add a small holdback until punch list items are complete. Keep receipts for materials in case you need a warranty claim.
One building department guide points out that permits are required once a deck reaches certain thresholds or is attached to the home, so make sure your payments align with those key inspections.
Closed permits and passed finals help protect resale and insurance coverage. Keep copies of permits, inspection cards, and final plans with your house records.
