Covenant Building Services

He asked questions about price and size, and we should at that point have said that we absolutely wanted the patio to match the existing surface area. He sent back plans a few days later but did not point out that he had reduced the size of the deck to the cover drip line. His plan showed thirteen feet of depth when the old patio was about eighteen. The misunderstanding surfaced after we accepted the bid and the demo was finished. The aggregate did not cover the area we expected. Further conversation and negotiation proved that our error was not to have measured the thirteen feet proposal against the existing surface area covered. The price was $1,800 higher than we originally anticipated, but that did not inconvenience us. The misunderstanding was somewhat irritating. Overall, the time it took (2 weeks) was reasonable. The workers were respectful, but they used and scratched up our wheelbarrow by mistake. The owner did replace the tool at his own expense. The foreman made some suggestions about landscaping around the patio, which we have followed (see pictures). The look is very attractive and the footing is excellent--the pavers are millimeter perfect in placement and the setting of the pavers somewhat artistic. The pictures show only the patio, not what we will be putting on it. I give Bill an overall "B" because I am a schoolteacher and for me, a "B" is a very good grade. Only issue was communication.

The entire job was accomplished in about ten days by a single outstanding contractor with oversight by Bill Johnson. This included removing existing flagstone steps and landing. All work was very satifactory and qualtiy was never sacrificed for schedule. In addition they assisted with recommending and scheduling other contractors to repair the flagstone patio, stain the new deck and seal the flagstone partio.

Bob was great about returning calls - the only delay was due to weather! He was able to save me money on the flagstone patio while still using top quality materials. His crew was efficient and the work was completed when predicted. I liked the patio so much that I had them add a connecting walkway! It looks like a piece of artwork! Bob paid great attention to detail: color, grading etc. to make sure it would compliment the house! Highly recommend!

Overall, an excellent experience. The new backyard is more than we had hoped for.

I hired Covenant about 2 years ago to demolish an old storage building in the backyard down to the concrete slab and rebuild it as a covered flagstone patio with fireplace. Based on my research on Angie's List and elsewhere, I learned that there are a lot of fly-by-night deck and patio builders in town and you often get what you pay for. Covenant's price was higher than other quotes, but I had greater confidence (based on reviews and meeting with the owners) that the job would be done right. That project went well and I was very pleased with the quality of their work. This time, I had a screened porch attached to the house outside of the dining room with a second floor deck on top of it outside of a bedroom. It was original to the house, about 32 years old. The roof of the porch leaked during heavy rains and there was evidence of wood rot in the framing and up on the deck. It was an eyesore and increasingly unsafe. Based on my prior experience, I called Bill Johnson, the owner of Covenant, to give me a quote. The price was about what I expected based on the cost of the prior project. Bill assigned his carpenter Gary to do the demolition, which was complicated by the way the old deck had been built into the house framing. Gary worked hard for 2 or 3 days in 100 degree heat to remove the old structure. He was very careful to avoid collateral damage and was very respectful of my property (e.g., cleaning up after each day). Gary then built the second floor cedar deck which was tied into the house framing on one side and supported by 6"x6" cedar posts on the other side. Since the bottom of the deck would be visible from the first floor patio (where the screened porch used to be), Gary suggested the use of cedar joists and cedar sheathing to hide the treated pine framing. This required an additional charge for the higher cost of the cedar lumber, but dramatically enhanced the view of the deck from below. At this point, I also decided that I wanted to relocate the steps leading down from the deck in order to preserve a view from the first floor of the house. Bill and Gary worked with me to design an alternative of building a "bridge" off the side of the deck to cross a sidewalk and then turn 90 degrees for the steps down to a small deck landing at ground level. This required another additional charge for the extra labor and materials required, but again improved the final product. I appreciated their willingness to work with me "on the fly" to make changes and improvements to the project design. They also accommodated my wish to use a custom set of iron balusters which I ordered on the internet (even though a reorder caused by my error resulted in a week's delay to the project). Gary also figured out a way to take the baluster hardware I had ordered and modify it to accommodate the steps we had (which were less steep than standard and required a different angle cut for the connectors). After the deck, bridge and steps were completed, Bill had Dean and his crew come out to build a cover over the deck. After discussing alternatives, we decided the best approach would be to extend the current roof of the house out by 10' or so to cover the new deck and provide appropriate eaves. The extended roof is supported by additional 6x6 cedar posts that are stacked above the posts that support the deck. The construction is very solid and, as with Gary's work, is very precise and professionally done. The roofers were even able to merge the new shingles into the existing shingles so that it looks like it was all done at the same time. I could not be more complimentary of the patience and carpentry skill that Gary brought to this project. He went out of his way to ask for my preferences when there were alternative ways of doing something and he made suggestions when he thought changes to the design or materials would increase my satisfaction with the final project. He is also a perfectionist with the construction and took the time and care to make sure that the deck was built right and looked great. I was amazed at how clean and precise his saw cuts where, especially where corners were mitered together. His attention to detail resulted in a final product that l can be very proud of. Bill Johnson, the owner of Covenant, is great to work with. I was treated fairly and honestly and the costs were clear and transparent. The upgrade charges were fair based on the additional work and materials I requested. Communication and customer service were great and Bill would visit the job site every day or two to evaluate the progress and discuss any questions or concerns that I had. Above all, Covenant uses best practices, not minimum standards, for its construction (confirmed by other contractors who have seen and commented the work). The cost is a little higher than some other companies quote, but I am confident that these structures are going to be around for many decades and perhaps a lifetime. I am happy to pay a bit more for the quality. I would recommend Covenant to my best friends and I will use them again in the future.

We were pleasantly pleased that a contractor would tell us the truth...that we did not need to have the deck replaced. He actually passed up on a job. He recommended a company that could refurbish the deck. We performed a minor repair on the spot. We were all smiles. We will definately use this company when we really need to have the deck replaced. Great company!

made an appt and they did not come

Outstanding work from start to finish. Bill and his team gave me a finished product above and beyond what I was expecting. I needed the area below my deck (12 feet above ground) finished out with flooring, door and cedar plank skirting. They came in ahead of the two other bids and stuck to the price even with a slight upgrade in work (type of cut on the wood). Highly recommended.

Excellent from the estimate, preparation and selection of stain to application of the stain. We are very pleased and would highly recommend Seymore Staining.

Bill and his crew were an absolutely pleasure to work with. I knew from the first meeting with him that he was a no nonsense "what I promise I deliver" kind of guy. We spoke the same language, so to speak. Too often, I feel like I'm getting a used car salesman routine from people pushing their product. I told him my range, what I was looking to do, he went and created a couple of different plans and returned to me with the outlines. There were the "here is what you asked for" and there was also the "if you can stretch just a little further, here is what I think would be better". In fact, the area of irregular stone tiles with green grass growing up between them was something he talked me into. I couldn't quite picture it in my head, but once I saw it laid out, he was spot on that it was *exactly* the right thing to do with that area. The work itself was done on time. The only actual delay was a day when one of the worker's had a child born. They were very apologetic, which was nice, but seriously... you just had a kid. Get to the hospital already! :) They were back on the job the next day and finished on schedule. All in all, it was an absolute pleasure to work with Bill and his team. From the the guy that did the decking, to the team that created the cobblestone patio areas, and even the folks responsible for making sure the watering system got moved around as needed and the guys that came to stain the patio....everyone was polite, professional, and I would not hesitate to use them again with my next project. It is now a year later and my back yard and the new deck areas, particularly for those that saw the house before they were done, are an immediate conversation piece and have increased the value and enjoyment of my backyard and pool tremendously. Thanks Covenant!

It went wonderful! From the beginning when Bill came out to the house it went very smoothly. Although Bill's quote was the most expensive, he also had no bad rating on Angie's list unlike the other quotes we had received, and now I can see why. Bill ended up coming out to our house 3 times changing the plans and making them "just the way I want". He asked for very little for a down payment and didn't expect any more payment until the job was complete. One of Bill's best employees's, Gary, did almost all of the work himself the whole week, and he is great at what he does. He would talk with me regarding angles I wanted and how I wanted it to look. He had the drawing that Bill had created for him, but he wanted me to be happy and made sure everything was taken care of the way I wanted it. Bill was out on the site daily checking on the progress and it seemed if Gary called him for anything Bill answered immediately. I was shocked at how good the outcome was in just 7 days with mostly it being a one man show. I would, and have, recommended Bill to my friends.The only down fall I would have to mention is, if you text Bill, he doesn't always get back to you right away, sometimes it takes a day or so to hear from him. Overall...FANTASTIC!

It was absolutely excellent work. They were very timely and kept me informed during the process. He made sure we approved with all of the materials they were using. If we did not like something they would supply something else with no problems at all.

Bill was such a professional in handling our concerns and solving our problem for us. Meticulous and partner are the first two words that come to mind when describing Bill and his team - I wish every contractor we used has this work ethic, level of communication and desire to be a partner. We feel like Bill became a friend during this interaction, as we he was constantly checking in via phone, email and on site visits throughout the entire process! We had Covenant join us in our backyard and shared with them our vision for the backyard to be an extension of our lifestyle and why we were not pleased with the previous contractors work. (FYI - we used a vendor not on Angie's List, our first mistake!) We also were very candid in our budget, as we had already sunk some money into an undesirable outcome. Bill came back within 24 hours with a drawing that exceeded our expectations, but did not exceed our budget. We made a few tweaks, and also agreed to personally do some of the work to make it easier for his team to focus on the project. Bill's team created a beautiful backyard that we love! I know that it will be used year round - the only bad news is that we ended up moving out of San Antonio shortly after the work was completed. However, our house sold for full list price within 24 hours, and I fully credit the beautiful back yard that Bill and team helped us create. We have even asked Bill to come up to Indiana with us to help us create our next back yard living space!

It all went much better than I expected. They started promptly and were on time every day. The paver work (actually all the work) was meticulously done. The workers were friendly and totally responsive to our needs and questions. Will Haddock, the construction manager was excellent. He was always available and worked hard to satisfy our change requests, much of it at no cost. I also couldn't believe how quickly the work was completed, even with all the recent rain. I expected 3 months. It took only 6 weeks and about 2 of those weeks involved flooding rains. I don't h think there is any way I can adequately convey my satisfaction with this contractor. Not only would I use them again, actually I am using them again on another small project. I wouldn't even think of going elsewhere. I also constantly put in plugs for Covenant Builders every chance I get. I recommend them to everybody.

It was expensive and we went to his showroom and we didn’t like the work we saw out there. The display stuff had cracks and we thought if that’s what they have on display for people to see, we didn’t want to go with them. The service was excellent. We dealt with Bill Johnson. The overall experience was really good.

Bill Johnson responded very quickly to my request for a site visit and estimate. They did an excellent job from start to finish in spite of unforseen site challenges!!! They were there every day until the job was done. The masons even came on Saturday and worked all day to finish the job. The impact on the value of my house will far exceed the cost of the work done. I would hire them back in an instant!

The work was very professionally done. All the work completed was to the highest standards of excellence and exceeded my expectations. I would definitely recommend this business.

Big shout out to Covenant and Bill Johnson for our absolutely fabulous deck! Bill brought a lot of stellar qualities to the project, but two impressed me the most. One is his ability to listen, really listen, as you articulate your vision. Two, his understanding that his role in this process is to make your vision come to life; he builds (literally), off what you are are saying and thinking. Well Bill, you have given us a deck that we love, has received rave reviews from friends and family, and that we will enjoy for years to come. And we'll be talking to you again, because I am already thinking of the next space ;). Thanks again for your advice, suggestions, and hard work!

I simply can not recommend Bill and his team highly enough. Straight shooting, to the point, "what is promised is what you get" kind of business is very hard to find these days. I was fairly certain from our first meeting and initial consultation with Bill that he was running that kind of shop and was pleased to find out as the work was done that I was right. The team was immensely respectful of the fact that we are a "shift work" family and kept the noise and the impact on our sleep patterns to a minimum. Work was completed in a very timely fashion and the magic they worked in our back yard was amazing. The end effect is a smart looking back yard that we spend a lot more time in and has been the talk of all of our guests visiting this past week. Thanks!

Overall, it was a great process. We are very happy about the entire arrangement, from start to finish. We had decided to add stone on top of our concrete patio. That part took two days. Then the woodwork took three days. Gary, the man who built the deck, was very professional and built a beautiful deck. It is very sturdy and well-built. He came up with a good idea for the stairs, which was our tricky part, as we were working with a sloped backyard and several trees that we were trying to avoid. It's a beautiful deck, and has added so much to our backyard. My hubby really wanted this, and I went along with it, and now I'm so glad that we did it. As soon as it gets cooler, we can really enjoy it!

Worked with us to design a backyard space that fit our desires and our budget. All work completed on time, on budget. A very great experience, overall. I would definitely recommend this company for your patio/deck remodel!

They have charged me fairly and have been doing a good job. I like their services and will use the same in future.

Mr Hill was completely honest and said he did not do that type of work since he focused on deck building and subcontracted the sanding and sealing part out. Instead of just taking the job and passing a mark-up, he recommended me to other sources that would save me money on my project. If you are looking for honesty in a deck builder, I would recommend Coventry.

excellent service and great craftsmanship. We called early in the week and got an appointment. Told what we were looking, so when we meet, had some ideas already in mind. Looked at the concrete pad, and then sent a couple of ideas to our email for us to look at , along with the estimate. We accepted the bid and was told it would be about 1-2 weeks before the job could be started. That was fine with us. On Thursday night of the same week , we accepted the bid, we got a call that they would be starting on the next day, Friday. We were really excited. Came home that evening to a completed pergola. It was gorgeous. We had a follow up on Tuesday to ensure that everything was to our satisfaction, which it was. Great company to work with, and very personable. Not a single problem, and they cleaned up the site. Could not have been happier with the whole experience!

Hands-down, my most positive home improvement contractor experience in nearly 20 years of owning multiple homes. The experience started with a prompt response to a phone message I left with Mr. Bob Hill. We arranged a meeting at the house and he arrived promptly with numerous ideas on how to get the most deck for our budget--my wife and I were very comforted with his approach (he found ways to bring the cost down rather than push us with up-sales). He helped us develop a unique deck plan that suited our house, yard, and budget. He was upfront that they weren't the cheapest builders out there (nor the most expensive) but that his company prides itself in craftsmanship and value. Words cannot express how pleased my wife and I are with the quality of workmanship their builder delivered to us. Mr. Gary Short explained the entire process every step of the way. I personally observed the progress of the project and witnessed nothing short of complete professionalism and respect for the high expectations of the customer. The cost was for the project, not per hour, yet Gary was very meticulous in his measurements, leveling, joints, and fasteners. The payments were broken down by phases of the project with the final payment due once the project was complete and we were 100% satisfied--it was a very fair process for both the builder and customer. I will recommend Covenant Builders to family, friends, strangers, anyone and everyone--I will hire them for any of our future building projects. The words that best describe this experience: QUALITY; VALUE, PROFESSIONALISM. Great job Covenant, Bob, Gary...