Deck and fence references serve a specific purpose that’s different from most other trades: you want to know how the structure has held up over time, not just how it looked when finished. A deck that still looks solid after three winters — with no ledger separation, no post movement, no decking cup or crack — is telling you something about footing depth, framing quality, and material selection that no photo of a freshly completed project can tell you.
“Ask references two questions above everything else: has anything moved, and has anything leaked? A deck that hasn’t moved in three winters had proper footings. A ledger connection that hasn’t leaked had proper flashing. Those two answers tell you everything about whether the structure was built correctly — and they’re things you can only know from references who’ve lived with the deck through multiple seasons.”
— Brendan Tse, licensed carpenter and deck construction specialist with 17 years of experience in residential deck and outdoor structure building in the local area
Table of Contents
How to Ask for References
Can you give me three references from comparable projects completed two or more years ago?
The two-year timeframe is deliberate. A deck needs to go through at least two full freeze-thaw cycles before frost heaving problems manifest in shallow footings. A fence needs at least two winters before post movement in inadequate concrete becomes obvious. Ask specifically for references from projects similar to yours — attached deck if yours is attached, privacy fence if yours is a fence — that have been in place for two or more years.
What a good answer looks like: Three contactable references from comparable projects, with enough time elapsed to evaluate structural performance through multiple seasons.
Can I see photos of completed structural framing — not just finished decking?
The most meaningful portfolio photos for a deck contractor are of the framing stage — the ledger attachment, the footing layout, the beam and joist installation — before the decking surface covers everything. A contractor who photographs their framing is proud of it. One who only shows finished decking photos may be hiding the structural quality of what’s underneath.
Can I visit a completed project?
For significant projects, ask whether any past clients would allow you to see the completed work in person. Walking a deck — pushing on the railing, feeling for any movement, looking at the ledger connection from underneath, checking the post bases for moisture — tells you more than any photo.
Questions to Ask the References
Has anything moved or shifted since installation?
This is the primary structural question. Ask specifically:
For decks: Has the deck moved relative to the house? Are there any gaps where the deck meets the house? Have any posts settled or moved? Has the decking surface cupped, warped, or cracked beyond what’s typical for the material?
For fences: Have any posts moved, tilted, or heaved? Have any fence boards warped or cracked? Has the gate continued to swing properly?
Has there been any water infiltration at the ledger or post bases?
For attached decks specifically, ask whether there’s been any evidence of water infiltration where the ledger meets the house — staining on the interior, rot at the connection, or moisture getting into the wall cavity. This is the most consequential long-term failure mode for attached decks.
Did the project come in on budget?
Deck and fence projects can have legitimate cost additions — unexpected rock during post installation, additional structural requirements identified during inspection, material price changes. Ask whether the final cost was close to the original quote and how any additions were communicated and approved.
Was the permit process handled smoothly?
Ask whether the contractor managed the permit application and inspection process competently — whether they scheduled inspections at the right stages, whether any inspection deficiencies were addressed promptly, and whether a final permit sign-off was received. A contractor who manages permits professionally is a contractor who builds to code.
Would you hire them again?
Simple and definitive. Listen for the confidence of the answer.
Checking the Public Record
Google Reviews: Look for patterns. Recurring mentions of structural problems surfacing after a season or two, or complaints about permit issues, are significant.
HomeStars: Canadian platform with verified reviews.
Better Business Bureau: Check complaint history and resolution.
Municipal building department records: In some municipalities, you can search whether a permit was pulled for an address and whether the final inspection was passed. This is the most objective confirmation that a past project was built to code.
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Deck or Fence Contractor Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask a Deck or Fence Contractor About Permits and Inspections
- Red Flags When Hiring a Deck or Fence Contractor
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