Most homeowners pick a deck builder on three data points: the price, the vibe, and how fast they returned the call. Then they hope.
You can do a lot better than hope. The difference between a deck that lasts decades and a deck that gets torn out in year one lives in a handful of specifics — and any real builder can answer these seven questions without flinching. Ask every bidder. Including us.
1. "How deep do your footings go, and why?"
This is the fastest pretender filter there is. The right answer in the Flathead Valley: below the frost line, which means at least 3 feet down. The "why" matters as much as the number — a pro will explain frost heave without being prompted, because they've seen what it does to shallow footings.
If they hesitate, lowball the depth, or say "depends on the deck," be careful. We've torn out a deck under a year old whose footings stopped at about one foot. The full autopsy is in Why Decks Fail in Montana.
2. "What's your framing spec for composite?"
Composite manufacturers publish exact framing requirements, and they vary by product line. Build outside them and the boards wave and warp within one to three years — and the material warranty is void. The deck fails and the safety net is gone, in one move.
A pro will name the product line you're getting and tell you they frame to its published spec. If a bidder shrugs and says "framing is framing," they just told you everything. This is the heart of what our TrexPro Platinum certification verifies.
3. "Will you register my manufacturer warranty?"
Here's an industry secret that should make you angry: most contractors never register their customers' warranties. The homeowner believes they're covered for decades. Nothing was ever activated.
Demand proof, not promises. When we finish a Trex deck, we activate the warranty in the TrexPro portal and Trex mails you a welcome package within 2–3 days — written confirmation your coverage exists. Any builder claiming they register warranties should be able to describe what proof you'll receive. More in The Trex Warranty Most Homeowners Never Actually Get.
4. "Are you licensed AND insured — can I see proof?"
In Montana, contractor registration costs $125. No testing, no experience required. So "I'm registered" proves a check cleared — nothing more. What you're really asking for is two documents: current registration and current insurance. A pro hands them over without a flicker, because they get asked constantly and they're proud to have them.
Then go one step further: ask what's behind the paper. Years on the tools. Work you can go look at. Certifications a third party will verify.
5. "What hardware do you fasten with?"
The answer you're listening for: structural hardware — joist hangers, rated connectors — not just screws. Screws alone have near-zero shear strength; load them sideways, the way snow and people and seasons load a deck, and they snap. It's the difference between a structure and a stack of lumber that's temporarily cooperating.
If a builder gets defensive about this question, that's your answer.
6. "Who actually shows up — you, or subs?"
Plenty of outfits sell you the charming owner and send a rotating cast of subcontractors. You're not hiring a logo; you're hiring the hands that touch your home.
Ask who's on site daily and how often the person whose name is on the contract checks the work. For the record, here's ours: Western Rockies runs a full-time crew — not subs — and Josiah is on every active site multiple times a week, every week. He also does every bid personally, so the person who measured your project is the person accountable for it.
7. "Can I see a detailed line-item proposal?"
A vague one-page bid with one big number is where change orders hide. Halfway through the build, suddenly the railing was "an upgrade" and the stairs were "extra."
A real proposal itemizes it: materials, labor, footings, railing, demolition, the permitting question handled. It exists because the builder actually planned your project before pricing it. It also lets you compare bids honestly — which matters in a valley where we routinely see the same scope bid two to three times apart. Real numbers in our composite deck cost guide.
And hold every bid to the same scope while you're at it — same deck size, same railing, same materials. A padded or hollow bid can only hide so much when it has to line up next to two others, item by item.
The Honest Footnote
Fair warning: if you ask us these seven questions, we'll pass all of them — and we still won't be the cheapest bid you collect. That's not an accident.
"I'm not the cheapest. But I'm the last deck builder you'll ever need."
The cheapest bid in town is usually cheapest because one of these seven answers is wrong. You just won't find out which one until the frost does.
One last tip: don't just collect the answers — watch how each builder reacts to being asked. The pros light up, because these questions are exactly how they win work against the cheap guys. The pretenders get vague, rushed, or insulted. The interview itself is part of the answer.
Whether you're building new in Kalispell or staring at a deck in Bigfork that needs a repair or rebuild, take this list to every estimate. Then come ask us the same questions — or call (406) 871-8101. We like the homeowners who ask.