Question 1

What should I ask a pergola / gazebo contractor before hiring?

Accepted Answer

Before hiring a pergola / gazebo contractor, verify their license and insurance, get at least 3 written itemized bids, confirm they will pull all required permits in their name, review the contract for a milestone-based payment schedule, and ask project-specific questions about materials and installation method. Never pay more than 30% upfront.

Question 2

How many contractor quotes should I get?

Accepted Answer

You should get at least 3 written, itemized quotes before hiring a contractor. This gives you enough comparison points to identify a fair price range and spot any outliers. Always ask for the same scope of work across all bids so you're comparing apples to apples.

Question 3

What is a red flag when hiring a contractor?

Accepted Answer

Major red flags include: asking for more than 30% upfront, asking you to pull permits in your name instead of theirs, no physical address or license number, pressure to sign immediately, no written contract, and quotes that are dramatically lower than all others (often a sign of cut corners or hidden costs).

Pergola / Gazebo Contractor Checklist

Verify Credentials

Get Multiple Quotes

Review the Contract

Permits & Code Compliance

During Construction

Before Final Payment

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