Deck Builders Cincinnati

Importance of an Insured Cincinnati Deck Builder

When hiring a deck builder, one of your top priorities should be to choose one who is properly certified and insured. If your deck contractor does not have insurance and something happens, you could end up having to pay for the mess.

The deck builder’s insurance and certifications need to be specific to the type of work they do and should be issued by a reputable company. Typically, home contractors such as deck builders need a combination of general liability insurance, property insurance, and workers compensation insurance. They may also need other types of insurance to be sure everything is covered.

It is Required

Most states (and cities such as Cincinnati) require that deck builders have a minimum amount of liability insurance in the case they are sued, or there are damages to the property. If you have a project that is more expensive than the minimum insurance required by the state of Ohio or city of Cincinnati, you might want to ask your deck building contractor to take out additional insurance while working on your project. Otherwise, too little insurance is almost as bad as no insurance.

Understand What Has to be Done

One way to determine the right kind of insurance is to look at the job you want the deck contractor to do. What is required of them to do it? If you ask them to write out a specific estimate, also ask them to explain the process. Will they have to tear up a wall or a concrete slab? Will tearing up a wall or a concrete slab require being fixed after the deck is fixed? Try to understand all aspects of the job so that you know what you are getting into.

Large Jobs

In the case of a large and expensive project, the deck builder will need to get what is called an umbrella policy to cover over the minimum required by law. They might also need to purchase something called bond insurance. The bond is a specific amount of money held in escrow and controlled by a 3rd party to ensure that the contractor and the client meet their contractual agreements. It protects you from being taken advantage of and ensures that the deck builder will be paid for their work.

Expect the Unexpected

So many things can go wrong during a job, no matter how experienced your decking contractor is. Things break, people get hurt; and most of the time, these incidents are unavoidable. Negligence can also play a role in some cases. With so many things that can go wrong during a deck building project, it is imperative that your contractor has the right type and amount of insurance.

Never assume you are immune from problems. Even if you hire a deck builder who is a relative, it is important to ensure compliance with the laws of the state of Ohio and the city of Cincinnati regarding insurance. In addition, it will give you peace of mind knowing should anything go wrong, everything is covered.