Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for construction companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Farrar Construction Inc., the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is working closely with its clients to ensure their building projects meet and exceed their expectations. “We really strive to understand and realize each client’s vision,” says owner Scott Farrar. “It sounds simple, but it’s true. We don’t just come in and take over a project—we listen closely to the client’s ideas and do our best to give them exactly what they want.”

Farrar Construction has been building decks, remodeling kitchens and bathrooms, and providing various general construction services for residential clients in Sonoma and Marin Counties since 1995. Mr. Farrar credits much of the company’s success to his and his employees’ love of the building process. “We truly take pride in what we do, and our clients respond to that,” he says. “They appreciate how dedicated we are to delivering quality work and service.”

Unlike less experienced construction companies that strive to maximize their workload volume by completing projects as quickly as possible with little regard for details, Farrar Construction takes a personalized approach to each project that prioritizes client relationships over profits. “Many contractors rely on their ability to produce change orders in order to make a profit, but that affects the trust that’s necessary to develop and maintain long-term relationships with customers,” says Mr. Farrar. “Our clients know they won’t have to pay an arm and a leg if they want to change something, and they really value that.”

Another attribute that sets Farrar Construction apart from its competition is the exceptional quality of its workmanship. “Not only do we work very efficiently, but our workmanship is impeccable as well,” confirms Mr. Farrar. “When people see our work, they think, “These people must really enjoy what they do,’ and that’s exactly the case. We have fun building and remodeling things, and that’s reflected in the details and nuances of our finished products. Ultimately, that’s what sets us apart from the rest.”

If you’re having a deck installed on your property, make sure you know exactly what you want before hiring a contractor.

A little research goes a long way when it comes to determining the type of outdoor deck you want. Even if you don’t have a clear concept of what you’re looking for, taking pictures of other people’s decks, looking though home improvement magazines and browsing the internet can be great ways to formulate ideas. Once you know what you want, you’ll be able to better communicate with your contractor and ensure your deck is a realization of your vision, not someone else’s.

Having a preliminary idea of the deck you want will also help you navigate the numerous styles and materials available on the market, which have greatly expanded in recent years due to an exponential growth in industry innovation. In the past, decks were strictly made of wood, but newer synthetic materials have become extremely popular because they offer a low-maintenance alternative. “A lot of people still like authentic cedar and redwood decks, but composite surfaces have taken over the majority of the market,” says Scott Farrar, owner of Farrar Construction Inc. in Petaluma. “Today’s consumers are less concerned about having real wood than they are about reducing the amount of sealing, power washing and general maintenance they have to do.”

After you decide the type of deck you want to build, you should consider your railing options. While many older deck railings consist of wooden pickets, modern metal railings have become the predominant style—not just for their sturdiness and weatherproof coating, but also for the aesthetic options they present. “Metal railings have a more finished, elegant look than the old-style redwood pickets,” says Mr. Farrar. “Most people want railings that meet local codes but aren’t quite as obtrusive as big pieces of wood. With a metal railing, you can sit on your deck and look out without having your view obstructed by lots of pickets or horizontal elements. If you’re building a deck in an area of your yard that has a nice view, it’s a great option.”

Q: How long will it take you to complete my project?
A: Most projects generally take one to three weeks to complete, depending on the complexity and scope of the work. An average deck takes about a week, for example, but a kitchen remodeling project can take more. We’ll give you an accurate estimate for your project before any work begins.

Q: Do I need a permit for my project?
A: It varies from township to township—different areas have different requirements depending on the nature of the project. If your project needs a permit, we’ll give you a realistic idea of how long it’ll take to get through that process and into the job itself.

Q: How many people will be working on my project?
A: Generally, no more than three—that’s the optimal crew size for the work we do.

Q: What types of materials do you use for your wood deck projects?
A: We use hard-grade redwood for all our wood decks. There are cheaper grades of redwood out there, but we prefer to use the best.

Q: Do you use nails to put together your decks?
A: No. All modern decks are built with screws, not nails.