Comparing deck quotes: what should be included before you sign

How do you make sure every contractor quotes the same project?

Shopping this fall for a deck to be built in spring 2027? Use the time to pin down the scope, not just collect totals. A fall booking does not guarantee a spring start: the terms need to be in writing, and that advice applies year-round.

Two decks with the same area can involve very different work. Height, stairs, supports and finishing details can all vary considerably. A price per square foot is not enough to tell you whether the quotes cover the same project.

Quebec’s consumer protection office, the OPC, recommends giving the same plan to three contractors and getting a written assessment of the work and materials. Use our guide to preparing for a deck estimate to assemble one shared project description, then resolve differences before comparing totals.

What should go in your deck quote comparison checklist?

Copy this checklist and complete one column for each contractor. Record the proposed details rather than just writing “included.” When information is missing, mark it “clarification needed” instead of assuming it is covered.

Also record whether the quote uses a fixed overall price or an hourly rate for a predetermined number of hours, two methods described by the OPC. Different pricing methods need clarification before you can compare them fairly.

Which construction details need to match?

For footings, ask what is planned for your property rather than accepting “supports included.” South Shore freeze-thaw conditions and clay soil deserve a specific discussion. Our guide to deck footings and frost can help you prepare questions, but it does not replace a site assessment.

The framing description should let you compare materials, member sizes and spacing. Have a qualified professional validate the structural design, including its suitability for the height, intended use and snow loads. If the existing frame will stay, ask how its condition will be assessed and what happens if it cannot be reused.

“Composite” or “PVC” is not specific enough: have the brand, collection, colour and board profile written down. For pressure-treated or thermo-treated wood, identify the product and any included finishing work. The quote should also distinguish between hidden fasteners and face screws.

Next, compare fascia, borders, railings and stairs, including stair width, treads, landings and supports. A decorative railing does not, by itself, settle the question of required guards. Confirm the applicable requirements with your municipality.

How should you clarify exclusions, permits and extra work?

An exclusion is not automatically a problem; it defines a limit you need to understand. The bigger concern is necessary work that is neither included nor accounted for elsewhere.

• Exclusion: work left out of the total, such as lawn repairs. Identify who will handle it.
• Option: an addition offered separately. Record whether you accept it and how it changes the total.
• Amount to be confirmed after demolition: a cost that is not yet settled. Ask what triggers the reassessment and how the amount will be calculated.

Arrange for written approval before extra work proceeds, covering its scope, cost or calculation method, and effect on the schedule. Ask what work will pause while you decide. The OPC recommends getting the customer’s authorization before unplanned work and including debris removal in the contract.

Confirm with your municipality whether a permit is needed, then record who will obtain it and which fees are included. For work near a pool or hot tub, have a qualified professional review the layout and confirm municipal requirements before signing.

What should you check about dates and deposits?

Is the proposed date a target or a written commitment? Clarify the start, completion and postponement conditions, including weather, site access and material availability. Wet spring soil can complicate access; ask how schedule changes will be communicated.

The RBQ recommends paying the smallest possible deposit before work begins. Ask what each payment covers and which milestones trigger it. For an advance booking, get written confirmation of what is being reserved and the cancellation or refund conditions.

If payment is requested more than two months before the work, the OPC advises checking the merchant’s trust account arrangements; some merchants are exempt. Clarify how this applies before paying. Do not assume you have ten days to change your mind, either: the OPC warns that this cancellation period does not apply to every renovation contract.

OPC: choosing a contractor and setting contract terms

Which warranties cover materials and installation?

A material warranty and an installation warranty are not the same thing. Request the documents that apply to the boards, railings and fasteners, then ask separately whether a warranty covers labour. Do not assume that every protection advertised by a brand automatically covers your installation.

For each warranty offered, ask about its duration, conditions, exclusions and claim process. Who will assess a problem, and who handles material or installation concerns? Keep the exact product references and all documents supplied with the contract.

What should you do if a quote is still unclear?

1. Send missing questions in writing: “Does your quote include fascia and debris disposal? If not, please price them separately.” Request a revised quote rather than relying on a verbal confirmation.
2. Check that the RBQ licence is valid when you sign. Have the licence holder’s exact business name and licence number entered in the contract, as the RBQ recommends.
3. Have the revised quote attached to the contract, as advised by the OPC. Check that the selected options, exclusions, payments, dates and warranties all match.

If a quote is still too vague to complete the checklist, it is not ready for comparison. It is better to delay signing than to choose a total without knowing what it covers.

RBQ: signing a renovation contract