The first thing you should always do when hiring a contractor for deck repair is ask for an estimate. Deck repair can be a very involved, labor-intensive process. This presents a lot of options for an otherwise honest contractor to sneak in extra costs under the radar. If you get an estimate in writing, then you have a better position to bargain from.

Make sure your contractor is licensed to operate as a deck repair contractor in your state. The licensing requirements will vary quite a lot from state to state. If you are not sure about the licensing requirements in your area, you can contact your local government offices for a list of licenses.

Try to get a contract laid out between you and the contractor. This contract will help make the job very clear to the contractor. If you are not home and the contractor is wondering about the scope of the job, all he or she needs to do is check the contract. This can be a great tool to clear up any misunderstandings between you and the contractor you hire.

Look for a contractor that is willing to provide you with a work guarantee. If something goes wrong in a few months, you can be sure the contractor will come fix it if the work is guaranteed.