Decks Unlimited

Description of Work: Demo old wooden deck, install composite deck

Description of Work: We had a new deck put on.

Description of Work: We wanted a new deck built with built-in bench seating and privacy wall

Description of Work: A small deck.

Description of Work: Outstanding workmanship. Detail oriented.

Description of Work: Decks Unlimited removed the existing 13 year old deck down to the 6x6 support poles, replaced all the deck joists, strengthening the foundation of the deck by cutting the support beams directly into the support poles where the original deck was simply nailed to the support poles. He extended our useable deck surface 4 feet by installing all new premium wood decking, replaced all railings and installed aluminum decorator balusters and built a complete new stair case.

Description of Work: Decks Unlimited rebuilt an aging deck, and then returned to clean and stain the new deck after curing.

Description of Work: I left multiple messages explaining what I wanted and didn't receive a call

Description of Work: Called to get an appointment for an estimate to build 12 x 16 deck. Said he was very busy and made an appointment for a Monday morning more than a week later when he said he expected to be in my area. Never arrived for appointment and never heard from him again.

Description of Work: Craig Small, owner and self-described master carpenter of Decks Unlimited, was on time for his appointment to give me an estimate for the construction of a deck. I needed a 20 foot wide x 13 foot deep deck at the rear of my home; built around a hot tub with an access for repairs if needed; railings at each end using metal balusters; and full width steps built with a 5' rise and a 11.5 in. tread, to access my backyard. However, the deck steps were NOT built as was decided from the beginning but more as standard steps rise and run would be. The 3-man crew who built the deck was on time, polite and hard workers. They worked during some of the hottest days of summer without a complaint. They cleaned up after each days work. The black metal balusters looked good with the pine. My complaint is that the steps were not built using the dimensions Craig and I discussed in detail on 4-17-2012. I needed the steps built with low heights/rise so I could lift my foot up on to and to step down from as well as a wide run/tread to place my foot on for stability to accommodate my physical disability that makes it difficult for me when going up and down regular or standard dimensioned stairs. Craig and I looked at photos I provided of deck steps located at various other buildings to make clear what it was I needed for steps. Craig asked me to tell him the dimensions I wanted. I was not certain what those should be so all I had to go on was since I wear size 11 shoes, I told him to make the steps width 11-11.5 and the height 4.5 to 5 inches. He suggested that the steps would extend out more than standard steps. I replied that my disability requirements were more important than aesthetics but I also liked the steps in the photos. I provided Craig with copies of the photos we had looked at, along with a sketch I drew of the deck with dimensions of how I envisioned my deck would be built, which he declined to keep the photos or drawing. It’s important to note that before Craig left on 4-17, we discussed our expectations of one another. I stated mine were honesty, communication and a quality job. I said I was available at anytime if they had a question. His was he would not compromise by building anything a customer asked for that he felt would cause his business a bad reputation. On the forth day of construction, I went out to see how it was going. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly all the stringers were installed, along with most of the decking for the steps. However, in my opinion the steps looked like what standard steps might be. After I took measurements of several different steps, only the top step was close to an 11in. tread and 6.75in. rise. The other steps varied at 9.75 – 10 treads and rises of six and seven eights to 7 inches. After discussion with the foreman, Roberto, regarding how the steps measurements were incorrect, he said they were the way he was told to build them. I asked him to stop work until I contacted Craig. Craig’s response was the steps were built as we discussed and he was not going to tear them out and rebuild them just because I did not like them. I reminded him that on 4-17 we looked at the photos and discussed what measurements I needed for steps. It was not because I did not like them. He replied he vaguely remember seeing the photos. After he arrived back at my house and a lengthy discussion between him and me, we did not come to an agreement. Since they were within a few treads of completing the steps, the steps were installed with, in my opinion, standard rise and tread measurements. I called Craig on Aug-9 because there were a several deck boards that were cupping. Also the top decking edge to the first step down was cut at 3in. wide and was raised so high that it was a trip hazard. He said he was aware of the edge board I was talking about and agreed to fix the cupping boards. In addition, I wanted to inform him of the problems the steps were causing me. I had several near falls down the steps and several trips; most times my legs were so weak I was unable to climb them. He said he would fix the boards that were cupping but as far as the way the steps were built, he already said he was not going to tear them out to re-do them. We made an appointment for him to come and discuss the deck. On Aug-13, Craig kept his appointment. We had, what in my opinion became a heated discussion, still with out a resolve to fix my deck. When the replacement boards were installed on Aug-25, the stringers had wide splits where the first nails had been. I asked Roberto how the second nails were going to hold the step for very long with it having such a big split. He suggested placing pieces of wood on each side of the stringer. I told him if the nail holes had been pre-drilled as I suggested during construction of the deck, in my opinion would not cause such wide splits at the edge of the stringers. Roberto said I had not treated the deck and that the wood was dry. I said the treating of the stringers would have needed to been done before the steps were installed so that was not the reason the stringers split. I think it is important to note that during the construction of the deck, I made concessions in regards to how parts of the deck were built. 1) I asked for a 1.5 inch space between the skirt broads for ventilation and they were built with .5in. space. 2) I asked that the risers not be closed but Craig said they had to be. Therefore, I then asked to allow a .5 in or so opening between the tread and the closed board to allow for ventilation. However, the closed boards were installed on top of the steps tread. I pointed this out to Craig and to correct it he said they would have to tear out and rip new boards. I allowed the rises to remain completely closed. 3) Where the hot tub access panels are installed, there are gaps at each corner. I pointed out the gaps and expressed my concern to Craig and he did not think they were big enough to be a problem. Despite my gut feeling, I allowed the gaps to stay. Since then, a friend and myself has step into one if the gaps causing pain and injury to myself. To be fair, I have not called Decks Unlimited regarding this problem because I wanted to get the step problem resolved. 4) According to Roberto, several metal balusters including screws and washers were taken home by one of the workers, which he returned after a call from the foreman. However, the washers and screws were not returned. Roberto informed me Craig said he had some they could use to finish installing. I have since discovered some baluster screws were installed without the washers which I will replace myself. I have sent Craig Small of Decks Unlimited a certified letter to which he never replied. The letter was returned to me by USPS, unopened.

Description of Work: Did not show up at appointment time nor has he returned a call to reschedule or give a reason for not showing up. After reading such great reviews on Angies list, I was excited to work with Decks Unlimited. However, when you make an appointment at 9:30 AM on 9-7-12 - you should show up. I called at 10 AM to find out why they were 30 minutes late. A week later and I have YET to receive a call.

Description of Work: I had a deck that looked horrible power washed and restained.

Description of Work: I contacted Decks Unlimited to gave me an estimate to replace my deck.

Description of Work: The presentation and service was very professionally conducted. Craig Small was very clear on what he would and wouldn't be able to do. The workers were here at 8:00 am sharp every morning, did their business and left around 4:00 pm. Everything is done now and it looks great. The price shown above does not include staining which will be another $700 approximately. Where I had options, such as the space between the boards, Craig was very clear on the pros and cons of what he recommended. Also, all the nails and screws that were used were countersunk giving a very clean presentation and helping to prevent rusty nails and screw heads from appearing in the future. Just a classy touch but part of what I came to expect.

Description of Work: Tore down the old deck, expanded the lower level, moved the stairs back and rebuilt a new deck.

Description of Work: He built a whole new deck and sun porch for our home.

Description of Work: Decks Unlimited removes and builds decks.

Description of Work: He tore down my existing old deck and removed all the old lumber. He built a new deck that was 12' x10 with a 5' wide set of stairs. The deck is supported by 6'' x 6'' posts set in concrete, double 2" x10" beams and 2' x10" joists. The bottom is enclosed with lattice with an access gate for storage under the deck.

Description of Work: My husbando and I contacted Decks Unlimited to request an estimate to tear down and rebuild the house's front proch's steps (a set of 18 steps + landing area) and railings.

Description of Work: They took out our old deck and erected a new deck with a roof. That's the short story: the details are how well they managed all of that. Craig Small, owner, and his expert crew were craftsmen. They 'measured twice and cut once', and checked with me on details frequently. When I asked questions, they had answers; no dodging around. Further, the two fellows who did most of the work were so pleasant. They came to work early and got right to it, too. You could tell they were experienced and took pride in what they were doing. Every day the site was cleaned up before they left. Debris was hauled away at the end of the job, and the area left s***-and-span. What was once an unused, ugly deck will now be an extra room for us! I should also add that the crew had to relocate a second story dryer vent, the DirecTV wiring, place and wire a ceiling fan/light, and add new gutters.

Description of Work: Deck replacement

Description of Work: Bult a large deck with pergola and privacy screen plus gate

Description of Work: old deck tear down and replaced with new deck

Description of Work: They tore down our second story deck and built a new one.

Description of Work: THEY PUT IN A DECK. THEY LATTICED THE UNDER AREA SO YOU CAN'T SEE UNDERNEATH. THEY ALSO INSULATED UNDER OUR HOME FOR US.