Back To Nature Decks

They preformed well above my expectation.

the project went as expected, there were issues we found while under construction BUTthe biggest issue was we had them stain the deck when done with a semitransparent stain and they did a terrible job they did not stain in between boards and even completely missing some areas. We made them aware of the situation and they came back out but it only got worst. Now my 12,000.00 deck looks irregularly stained and lighter in some and darker in other areas. we are so upset we are having another company out to strip and re-stain properly.Also the lack of communication from the contractor was non- existant unless it was for an additional fee because something else was wrong.Also, they came out to stain the deck the weekend of July 4th without any communication when we were planning to use it.

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<p>We had a small, old deck that wasn't very useable.  We worked with Mike to come up with the end result of a much larger deck with two staircases that makes our backyard and pool much more accessible and enjoyable.  We used composite materials as opposed to wood and really love the finished product.  The guys were very pleasant, friendly, respectful and professional.  The deck was finished in the timeframe expected.  </p> <p>Would recommend them to anyone.</p> <p><br /></p> <br />

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Mike came out to do the estimate and was honest about the condition of the decks.  He told me that they would complete some minor repairs, powerwash, and then stain the decks.  They powerwashed on Friday and came out on Monday to do the staining.  Originally, one color was going to be used but after seeing a sample left by Mike, we changed our minds and his wife and son were willing to go to Home Depot with me and pick out a different color at no additional charge.  They stained both decks in one day and the job looks great. <br />

<p><strong>DO NOT USE THIS CONTRACTOR!!!  EXTREMELY DISHONEST !!!</strong><br /> The job was completely unsuccessful and an absolutely horrible experience.  The contractor has the worst communication skills we have experienced.  The contractor?s only interest was to receive payment before and after the work was completed.  <br /> ** <strong>TWO TEENAGERS</strong> showed up to do the work!  To our surprise, they started the work without even knocking on the door to inform us that they were there, and did not go over the job to be done. We asked the boys if Mike (the contractor) was coming?  They responded with Mike was not coming; however, they would be in constant communication with him.  As we found out throughout the next three days, the communication between them was non-existent.  <br />  <strong>**</strong> They were supposed to build an opening 80? wide (the width of the original stair), with three steps, each 10? wider than the previous one.  They built an opening 70? wide with two steps.  The usable space of the bottom step is 79".  In addition, one of the handrails is overly slanted and the opening for one of the posts is too large.  <br />  <br /> <strong>**</strong> They were supposed to replace the top rail, which requires cutting and sanding. The top rail doesn?t align properly because the boards were measured and cut incorrectly; thus leaving seams in areas where they should not be.  In addition, we had to point out multiple times to sand various areas.<br /> <strong>**</strong> They installed new wood lattice around the bottom of the deck; however there were multiple issues with it: some pieces were cracked, other were not sanded, and the top and bottom were left open. </p> <ul> <li>   <br /> <strong>**</strong> We indicated the deck boards to be replaced, yet they refused to complete replacing all the boards for they wanted to do minimal work.  <br /> <br /> <strong>**</strong> They used nails as opposed to screws to replace the spindles and boards (the original deck had screws).  <br />     <br />     <strong>**</strong> At the end of each day, the contractors were trying to leave without informing us they were done and would not clean up after their work.  We pointed out that they left nails, wood and debris everywhere.  <br /> <br /> Mike came a few hours after the job started to collect half of the payment and only stayed 5 minutes.  Upon completing the job 2 days later, the contractors tried to leave without reviewing the job with us.  We caught them just in time as they were trying to leave.  Upon first review, we pointed out several issues.  As they made corrections they tried to leave again without any communication.  That process was repeated two more times.  Finally, we were told that since the job is completed, the second half of the payment is due (to be paid on the spot via check). <br /> <br /> <strong>An hour after they left</strong>, we have discovered more issues, as indicated  above.  When we called the contractor that worked on our deck, we were told to speak with Mike.  After calling Mike several times, we left a message which was returned two days later informing us that he would inspect it in the next few days.  Not hearing from him for a week, we called several times again and upon finally speaking with him and pointing out all the issues his response was that we paid so the work is completed, but again he said he would come and inspect it in the next few days.  The whole week has gone by, we called again, left messages, but since then no one showed up and no calls were returned.</li> <li></li> <li>In addition, the contractor required a deposit two weeks prior to initiating work; however could not give us a date as to when work could begin. We only asked for 24 hr notice; however, the contractor left a message at 8:30 pm the night before, informing us they would begin work the next morning (we did not receive the message until after midnight). Upon rescheduling and chasing him for the new start date, to our surprise: we were informed of the new start date at 6 pm the day prior!<br />     <br /> <strong>BE WARE: if you pay this contractor, he will not correct any issues!!!</strong><br /> <br />     <br /> <br /> </li> </ul> <br />

Back to Nature's team (Ian was the lead) showed up every morning before 8:00 am and worked without taking a break (really). They were very professional, polite and very detail-oriented.  They left our yard in perfect condition (nicer than they found it)!  Mike Ebner, the owner, even found a way for his team to re-use lattice we had on hand (that was in great condition) so we could put the dollars for the lattice toward a beautiful pergola.   We couldn't be happier. <br />

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Pressure wash deck and applied deck sealant

The provider came out to look at the deck and gave an estimate for replacing all of the flooring boards which I then had done. My only issue was that he would not apply the $299 for this voucher to the cost of the deck repairs.

Mike and I set up an appointment to meet at my home and for him to see my deck. He told me that he needed to use my hose for the job, which is kind of unusual, as most deck companies have their own power washers. My hose was broken and he told me that he could not do the job until I had it fixed. I work a lot so it probably took a full 5 weeks for me to get the hose fixed. But I did. I've called Mike back and left messages that my hose is fixed and I want to schedule a time for him to do the work. I've called at least twice. He has not called back. I do not wish to call again. I'll find someone else to do the work.

Everything went as planned, except for some unexpected rain.  Mike came out first to repair the boards and power wash.  The following week Ian came and spent two days staining everything.  But the second day it started to rain lightly as he was finishing up the last part, in spite of clear weather forecasts.  And sure enough, the raindrops left little spots all over that section. The next day I told Mike that the stain had dried and the spots were still there, so he sent Ian out to put another coat on that section. Now it looks beautiful again, not like the 25 yr. old deck we know it is.  But even though it looks like new we know we need to think about replacing it, and are trying to decide between pressure treated wood and Trex.  Either way, we would not hesitate to use this company again. We were very pleased with their punctuality and attention to detail.  The final results are beautiful. <br />

The entire job was completed within a most reasonable time frame. Mike and his staff are delightful to deal with. I am pleased with the results and highly recommend 'Back to Nature Decks'. <br />

Back to Nature Decks was very responsive, gave us an fair estimate, accurate in scheduling the work, completed the work with high quality and attention to detail, completed the work on time, and very pleasant on the phone and in person.  I would definitely recommend them and hire them again.  Our deck is beautiful and protected! <br />

We love our new porch SO MUCH!!! Mike and his crew did a great job. They were extremely nice and professional. The porch and deck turned out so much better than I even imagined. I came to Mike with a rough idea of what I wanted, we worked together in getting the specifics, and he came through with exactly what I had envisioned. Mike either worked on our porch every day or checked in with his foreman and me every day. His crew were very polite and professional. They left the work site spotless every day.  <br /> There were inevitable minor delays, but that is part of the construction process. Mike was very clear about timing and cost.  I never waited more than an hour for a return call - most of the time he answered the phone himself any time I called. Mike was also terrific about completing all the little fussy details I requested to finish the job.  <br /> This is the second big job he's done for us, and I will certainly use him again in the future. <br />

Wonderful!!!!  Nature is a top notch outfit, that actually tries to look out for you.  Highly recommend. <br />

When the project started the owner/designer of the deck was there for delivery of the materials and putting down the post/ bases. After that, 2 young men were the main builders with the owner stopping by periodically. We were under assumption that he would be the one building the deck with his crew. The young men worked on the deck for 3 days before the 4th of July, a Thursday. They came back the following Monday and worked until Thursday when only one young man was working in the afternoon. When we spoke to him he said he was finishing the job that the boss had left for vacation for a week( the other young man was the bosses son) By the way, we were told the job would only take a week, (so thats was why he was by himself). The deck was left unfinished, steps from the deck to the pool were not built, no steps to get off the deck built, deck boards exposed, railing unfinished, boards too far spaced, bad boards with many knots, boards with chain saw marks used. After a week, Mike the owner came back and argued that this is how he was going to leave the project until he came back for the 2nd half of the project. We told him that the two phases were seperate complete projects and he could not leave this project incomplete. Not only did it look unfinished but it was also dangerous. He sent the same two youngmen to build the step to the pool, place pickets to the railing, and place floor boards on the rest of the deck, Mike did come and work to build the step to the pool. They were there for about 4 hours. When they left, Mike told my wife that he was done for now but he woud be back later on to pace some pickets on the side railing, he didn't have enough of the longer ones he needed. They came back a few hours later and put on the remaining pickets. When I got home from work to inspect the project, it was still not what Mike an I had agree about. The pickets the youngmen had come back to finish was put on with nails sticking out about 1/4 inch, deck boards were still not replaces(said he cannot get that lenght, he would replace them later), still had up a temporary railing, did not build the steps to the end of the deck and had not have any stable step leading off the deck. We spoke again. Everything was to be finshed.still now the job is not complete, we have boards woth deep knots with splinters protruding upwards that could cut your feet that i had taken out myself.. Boards not nailed down beacuse they need to be replaced later beacuse i was told that he cant find any more 20' boards, but he demanded the remaining money even though i have to wait for the finished job! I gave him the money just beacuse i didnt want to see him anymore.. I will pay someone else to finish the job.. If you use this so called company. You will be sorry... Im upset beacuse i did not get the job that his portfolio suggested, he had kids do the job like a project! <br />

I had a positive experience with them. The work was a pretty high standard. I think overall I was satisfied, maybe a little but dissatisfied with their responsiveness at times, but overall it was a pretty positive experience.

Mike picked up our old picnic table and took it back to his shop to work on it.  When he was done, he delivered it back on to our deck - a deck he built!  All went smoothly, and as always, Mike went well beyond what was expected of him. <br /> <br /> <br />

The big deck had to have over half the wood replaced because it cupped <br /> horribly, and BTN decks did stand behind the problem and fix it.  <br /> However, it took 18 months, and i had to spend a couple hundred dollars <br /> and about two full days of my ltime sealing the replacement wood...work <br /> that should have been done by the contractor.  The Rain Escape has <br /> leaked badly in two places from the start due to both poor design by BTN <br /> and poor installation.  The deck design is incompatible with the Rain Escape product. <br /> Repeated requests to fix it were ignored.  When <br /> it was finally addressed during the wood replacement, BOTH leaks became significantly <br /> worse.   One of the main support columns is not plumb, and although BTN <br /> said they would fix it, they have not.  Additionally, the replacement <br /> wood does not remotely match the color spectrum of the original wood (even <br /> allowing for weathering) so we now have a two-tone deck. <br /> The interior project was a train wreck, and I have had to hire a second <br /> contractor to finish the job.  BTN charged me 66% more than the <br /> estimate, did not complete the work, declined three requests to return <br /> to finish it, did not remove construction debris, and left the property a <br /> mess to boot.  We would not have green;lighted the work at the price <br /> charged even if it had been completed for that price.  And <br /> we're not talking about a few small finishing details here; we're <br /> talking about three doors not installed, drywall that was hung but has <br /> only one rough spackle, a hole in my 10 year old daughter's floor, left <br /> uncovered and unrepaired, and walls studded but without drywall.  In <br /> other words, a job about two thirds done.  Repeated polite attempts to resolve the situation were blown off by BTN. <br /> We are very surprised and disappointed, because we really like him as a person, and the first job went well. <br />

The entire process was flawless.  Mike worked with our ideas to meet our needs and build us a beautiful two-level deck.  From the instant I saw his completed project photos, I knew that he was the man for the job.  We initially brought in another well-known area contractor to quote the work.  But their plans used smaller supports (4 inch instead of 6 inch) and their quote was thousands more than Mike!  Mike even made helpful suggestions that allowed us enlarge the lower deck from 14 feet by 14 feet to 16 by 16 - pointing out that the boards already come in 16 foot lengths!  When I mentioned how the rails and balusters would block our view, Mike proposed tempered glass balusters and now we have a beautiful view of our woods.  We are happy to recommend Back To Nature decks for a safe and incredibly solid deck! <br />