How to Market Your Decking Company

When it comes to enhancing your home, hiring a professional decking company can provide you with the best results. Unlike DIY or a handyman, a decking company will be insured and bonded to protect their work.

Look for a deck builder with local recognition through business awards and a Google map listing. Also check their references and certifications.

Set Up as a Legal Entity

Many states and localities require deck builders to obtain a building permit prior to beginning construction. This permit includes a blueprint with architectural and structural details such as the dimensions of support posts, the location of deck joists, beams and stairs and the thickness of planking and railings. It also specifies the types of fasteners and connectors allowed, the weight a structure can support considering both material and living weight like furniture, people and snow and other requirements that assure a safe and sound deck.

Skipping the permit process may seem a way to save money on the initial build, but it will cost far more in fines, retroactive re-building fees and legal expenses should an injury occur on an unpermitted deck. A lawyer can help you determine the most appropriate legal entity for your decking company, such as a limited liability corporation or a corporation, and file the necessary paperwork. An attorney can also help you establish a business bank account and get a fictitious name certificate if needed.

Find the Right Insurance

In addition to having industry credentials, state licenses and general liability insurance, deck contractors should also have workers’ compensation and completed operations coverage. This latter facet of general liability is particularly important because it covers damage that occurs after a construction project has been completed.

When choosing a deck contractor, homeowners should ask questions to get an idea of their experience and integrity. For example, they should find out how long the company has been in business and how many projects the contractor has overseen. It is also useful to ask about what steps the contractor will take should something go wrong during a project. Every builder makes mistakes, but how a contractor handles those issues can be indicative of their true worth.

It is also important to find out whether the builder will require a permit for your project and how they will handle this process. Often, a permit is necessary in order to ensure that the deck will be built safely.

Know Your Target Market

In order to successfully market your decks and railing services, it is important to deeply understand who you are selling to. This is because you must be able to communicate how your business adds value to a customer’s life.

It is also a good idea to join a trade association or organization, as this can help you establish trust and authority within your industry. Moreover, these organizations can also provide you with valuable education, industry trends, best practices and networking opportunities. You should display your memberships prominently on your website and work uniforms to further build credibility.

It is also a good idea to have an online presence by creating a website for your decks and railing company. This will make it easier for potential customers to contact you by filling out a form or giving you a call. You should also include your contact information front and center on every page of your website.

Get Involved in the Community

A good marketing plan will make sure your deck building company has leads coming in even when you’re busy. It also means you aren’t overly dependent on referrals. If they dry up, or one disgruntled client does damage to your local reputation, a solid marketing strategy will get you through the hard times.

If you’re not already, consider joining industry organizations or associations to help build your network of referral sources. They often host events and educational seminars that are related to the industry, and they’re a great place to learn about new products, materials and techniques.

Another way to increase your visibility is by creating a slideshow video of your work. This can be saved to your website and shared on social media. You can use tools like Lightroom, Adobe Spark or Animoto to create a professional-looking slideshow. It’s an easy and affordable way to market your business. Plus, it will set you apart from competitors who don’t have videos of their work.

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