Before you make any major changes to your outdoor space, consider these tips for choosing the right contractor for the job:

Questions to ask:

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you have insurance?
• Can you give me some testimonials from the past clients?
• Have you designed a space similar to our desired space in the past?
• Do you have maintenance-free decking products?
• What warranties do you offer?
• How long will the project take?
• Do you offer financing?

Also consider:

• Referrals from neighbors, friends, and family members
• Their knowledge of products
• The response time to your queries
• Quality and craftsmanship of sample projects

Watch out for companies:

• Without knowledge of the materials you want
• With only a few references
• With limited photos of previous work
• That offer you inaccurate drawings or bids
• That offer you an unrealistic warranty on materials