What questions should I ask a deck contractor in New Brunswick before hiring?

Before signing a contract with any deck builder in New Brunswick, you should ask about their WorkSafeNB registration, liability insurance coverage, who pulls the building permit, their projected timeline, the payment schedule, and what warranty they offer on their work. These six questions will tell you more about a contractor's professionalism and reliability than any advertisement or website ever could.

Start with their WorkSafeNB number. WorkSafeNB is the province's workplace health and safety commission, and any contractor with employees is required to be registered. Ask for their account number and verify it is active. A contractor who cannot or will not provide this information may be operating without proper coverage, which exposes you to potential liability if a worker is injured on your property. This is not a technicality — it is a serious financial risk that New Brunswick homeowners sometimes overlook.

Next, ask about liability insurance. A reputable deck contractor should carry a minimum of $2 million in commercial general liability insurance. This covers damage to your property during construction — a misplaced footing that cracks your foundation, a delivery truck that damages your driveway, or similar incidents. Ask to see a current certificate of insurance, not just a verbal confirmation. Any legitimate contractor will have this documentation readily available and will not be offended by the request.

Clarify who is responsible for pulling the building permit. In most New Brunswick municipalities, a building permit is required for deck construction, and the process involves submitting plans, paying fees, and scheduling inspections. A professional contractor should handle the permit process as part of their scope of work. If a contractor suggests building without a permit or asks you to obtain it yourself, treat that as a warning sign. Unpermitted work can result in fines from your municipality, problems with your homeowner's insurance, and complications when you sell your home.

Ask for a realistic timeline that accounts for weather delays. A trustworthy contractor will give you an honest estimate rather than an optimistically short one designed to win your business. In New Brunswick's building season, rain delays are inevitable, and a contractor who acknowledges this upfront is being straight with you. Get the start date and estimated completion date in writing as part of your contract.

The payment schedule should be clearly defined and reasonable. Industry standard in New Brunswick is typically a deposit of 10 to 30 percent to secure your spot and allow the contractor to order materials, with progress payments tied to completion milestones, and a final payment upon completion and your satisfaction with the work. Be cautious of any contractor who demands full payment upfront or a deposit exceeding 50 percent. Conversely, a contractor who requires no deposit at all may not be financially stable enough to purchase materials without your funds.

Finally, discuss the warranty in specific terms. What exactly is covered, for how long, and what is the process for making a warranty claim? A quality deck builder should warranty their workmanship for a minimum of one to two years, covering issues like loose boards, railing problems, and structural settling that results from installation errors. This is separate from manufacturer warranties on the decking materials themselves. Get the warranty terms in writing as part of your contract, not as a verbal promise.

Beyond these six essentials, ask for references from recent projects in your area and take the time to actually call them. Ask those references whether the contractor stayed on budget, communicated well during the project, and responded promptly when issues arose after completion.

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