Licensed General Contractor (License #635141) 

Over 35 Years of Construction Experience  

Over 35 Years of Construction Experience  

Licensed General Contractor (License #635141) 

+1 (831) 335-3162

Resources

Web Links

Use these links during your planning and research phase. The more information you have before you begin, the better prepared you will be for your project. 

Do-It-Yourself Projects

Reference this page for links to projects you can complete yourself. 

How to Mount a Ceiling Fan

How to Mount a Ceiling Fan 

How to Repair Drywall

How to Repair Drywall

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

How to Fix a Leaky Faucet

How to Wire a Light Switch

How to Wire a Light Switch 

How to Fix a Running Toilet

How to Fix a Running Toilet 

Deck Safety

Is your deck safe? Many were built many years ago with substandard construction. 

Deck Falling apart

Is your deck safe? Many were built many years ago with substandard construction. 

Industry standards specify a 10-15-year life expectancy for decks. This timeline assumes proper construction and the right materials. However, most will note that there are many decks still standing that are much older than 15 years.  

Is yours one of them? “Since 1999, there have been more than 850 reported injuries and 20 deaths as a result of deck failures.” (Build a Safe Deck, strongtie.com). 

Inspect your deck for the following problems: 

Deck Boards and Underframing

Wood that is easily penetrated with a screwdriver, 1/4” – 1/2” without splintering, indicates decay. 

Is underframing comprised of Douglas fir pressure-treated lumber? Lumber that is not treated will deteriorate at an accelerated rate and is not safe. 

Flashing

There should be metal flashing between the deck and the attachment to the house (ledger board). This is the most common area of deck failure. Flashing diverts water from the connection to the house, preventing decay. 

Loose or Corroded Fasteners

Ensure that screws and bolts are tight and nail heads are flush with the wood. Verify that the ledger board is connected to the house using bolts, not nails or screws. 

Railings

Can it withstand 200 lbs. of force at any point along the top? 

Is it at least 36” high? 

There should not be more than 4” between pickets. 

Stair

Check for decay and stability. 

Open risers should be less than 4”. 

01. Missing Connections
A deck should be built using a combination of wood, nails, screws, and metal connectors. Look at how your deck is built – if all you see are nails, your deck may be unsafe. 

02. Loose Connections
Depending on how the deck was built, vital connections may have degraded over time due to various factors. Issues such as wobbly railings, loose stairs, and ledgers that appear to be pulling away from the home are all causes for concern. 

03. Corrosion of Connectors and Fasteners
Metal connectors, nails, and screws can corrode over time. Look for rust and other signs of corrosion that can weaken the structure of your deck. 

04. Rot
Wood can rot and degrade over time with exposure to the elements. Wood members within the deck frame that have rotted may no longer be able to perform the function for which they were installed, making your deck unstable. 

05. Cracks
As wood ages, it is common for cracks to develop. Large cracks or excessive cracking overall can weaken your deck, making it susceptible to collapse. 

Newly House Renovated

Why Hire a Licensed Contractor?

When considering a construction project, the first concern is usually cost. In an effort to save money, many consumers hire non-licensed contractors. You may be saving money, but you have opened yourself up to a huge financial liability. 

“In California, anyone who contracts to perform work on a project that is valued at $500 or more for labor and materials must hold a current, valid license from the Contractors State License Board.” (What Kind of Contractor Do you Need?).  

An unlicensed worker who is injured on your property can sue you for damages. Any damage to your property, such as fire, will be your responsibility and may pose problems with your insurance company. In addition, if the work is left incomplete or is faulty, you have no recourse and must pay for repairs yourself. 

Some handymen have talked their customers into completing work without a permit, only to be caught by the local permit enforcement agency. The cost to comply with retro-permitting can be high and may require partial demolition in order for building inspectors to pass stages of the project. In some cases, the entire project may be halted, never to be completed, due to setbacks, zoning, etc. The effort to save money may have just cost the consumer more in the long run. 

Many ask, “Why are licensed contractors more expensive than a handyman?” Below is a partial list of the elements that are required of a licensed contractor, making doing business more expensive for them: 

They are bonded. 

They carry general liability insurance and usually workers’ compensation insurance as well. 

Their experience is documented and tested. 

They are required to hold additional permits and receive specialized ongoing education (lead abatement, for example). 

They are subject to many building regulations, energy-saving standards, lead-abatement rules, etc., that cause an increase in both material costs and labor. 

They must warrant their labor for 10 years from the construction date. 

So, the next time you are considering hiring a handyman for a job that should be handled by a licensed contractor, consider the above. For more information on hiring a licensed contractor, see the Contractors State License Board’s website.