Deck Restoration Plus

Took longer than expected due to weather issues. When weather allowed, project went well.

Most boards were completely replaced. There was some that were partially replaced and therefore gaps remain. In restroapect, I should have had full boards replaced in every case.

Deck Restoration Plus has proven to be a total disappointment. We paid a significant deposit in June. Framing was finally completed in November. They did not return to install the decking. Everett Abrams has not responded to a single email, voice mail message, or letter since. We have moved on to another contractor.

There was a small hiccup at the on set but the end result was very satisfying. I can't say enough about Rob, Critter, Chano and the professionalism, courtesy and expertise they showed in the week they were here.

No problems whatsoever. I have received numerous compliments on the finished product!

Our deck looked to be in such disrepair we thought we needed a new one! Everet provided us a free consultation and ensured it was salvageable. In 2 visits our deck looked almost brand new! The price was very reasonable considering a new deck would cost thousands.

It worked out very well.

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<p>I really hate having to give reviews like this.</p> <p> </p> <p>In the early spring, I began contacting companies to get estimates for staining my deck. It was in kind of rough shape as a few years ago some well-meaning “helpers” had varnished the deck instead of staining it.  I had to wait a couple of years to let most of the varnish peel off and I was finally ready to get the job done.<br> <br> Everett came out as scheduled and did a thorough investigation of the second story deck. He determined that a few balusters, boards and railings would need to be replaced (they had warped, so this wasn’t a surprise).  He told me that he would first need to power wash the deck with an environmentally friendly solution to remove the remaining varnish. After that, some areas were probably going to need sanding, and then after letting the deck dry out for a few days, he would stain all surfaces of the deck with two coats of semi-solid stain. He provided a written estimate, which I appreciated since a few others just gave me verbal pricing. He showed me his large portfolio of past work and I could see he knew what he was doing. Out of all the estimates I received, his was about 50% higher than where all the others came in, but I felt it was worth the additional money to get someone who specialized in deck restoration and had a great rating on Angie’s List.</p> <p> </p> <p>At first everything went really well. We had scheduled the work to begin the first week of May. Of course the weather didn’t cooperate (which I completely understand) and so the work got delayed a bit. Still, his guys came out as they could and when they did the power wash and replaced the boards, the deck already looked fantastic.  At the beginning of June, there was a break in the weather and they were finally able to come out and stain the deck.  The guys showed up around 1 p.m. and started doing some sanding (I couldn’t see where as I work from home and my office is in the lower level of the house and they were working upstairs).  However, shortly after the rest of their crew showed up, I noticed that they stopped sanding. They worked quickly (there were four of them) and by 5 p.m. they were wrapping things up and cleaning their brushes. I went outside to check on the work and noticed that there was a section on the side of the deck that hadn’t been stained. Neither had the underside of the deck (which is fully viewable because it covers my downstairs porch).  I pointed this out and they put some stain on the small part they had missed. They told me they don’t stain the underside because the wood needs to breathe (okay, except they stained all sides of the posts?).  I wasn’t able to go upstairs to view the deck since it was still wet (as were the stairs), but everything looked pretty good to me, so I paid them and they left.</p> <p> </p> <p>The next couple of days the weather turned and I didn’t really have a chance to get outside and look at the work. On Saturday the sun was out again and I went to admire my newly refreshed deck. Surprisingly, I noticed blotches on the stairs and the stain on them looked quite light for it to be two coats of semi-solid stain (which shouldn’t show wood grain). The platform of the deck also looked like only one coat was laid down.  Then I noticed that the posts, while looking darker, had some splotches which appeared to be unremoved varnish. While I was outside, my neighbor came over to admire the work and oddly she said, “Are they coming back to do a second coat?” I told her that I assumed they had done it since everything was settled with them. She said she had been watching from across the street all afternoon and she only saw them go over the upper surfaces one time.  At this point, I pulled out my written estimate to make sure I was promised two coats and I was.  While I can’t verify the truth in her observations, she is retired and so spends a lot of time sitting outside surveying the neighborhood and she would have had no reason to pose that question to me if it weren’t true.</p> <p> </p> <p>I called the office on Monday morning and spoke with the office manager to share my concerns. She told me that Everett was out but would be back shortly and either she or he would call me back. I heard nothing the rest of that day. Realizing they were busy (I’m sure since all the rain in May must have set them back), I waited and called again on Thursday. This time I got their voicemail message and so I left one asking that someone call me back. It’s now Tuesday of the following week and I’ve heard nothing back from them.<br> <br> After having such high expectations of the quality of their work from their portfolio and their reviews, I am extremely disappointed that now that they’ve been paid for the job, they really don’t care if I’m happy or not. I’m not an overly picky person, but I do like to get what I paid for, particularly when I paid a premium for quality work.  I really would have appreciated the courtesy of a call back and for Everett to come out and look at the areas of concern I have as he was not there when the work was completed.  This is the reason why I’ve given the ratings I have (they reflect the end of the job vs. the beginning). I would not use them again in the future or refer them to friends/family if this is how they treat a customer who has concerns.  The beginning of my experience with them was great, but after they were paid, I seem to have become an afterthought, so I assume my future business isn’t important to them. It’s not like I can’t live with the deck as it is – it does look much better than before the work began – but I cannot recommend them without adding this caveat emptor – don’t pay them for the finished work until you’ve had a chance to check it after it has dried. Stupidly, I trusted that they would stand behind their work, but I was obviously mistaken.</p>

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We can't say enough good things.  We were totally impressed with the crew.  They went above & beyond our expectations.  The quality was outstanding.  They could have taken short cuts to save time, but they treated our place like it was their own and the quality showed in the finished product.  They arrived on-time, explained every step of the process, and were willing to work with us on all the details.  Couldn't have asked for more.  Everett & Steve, Great Job!!!!  We would highly recommend you guys without question. <br />

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Came out to give estimate. I called to book but had to wait a while. They are VERY busy. Came out to strip the deck. Were very careful not to damage surrounding landscape. Had to wait almost a month for the sanding and staining. It was explained to me that they were backed up due to weather. I was cranky about that but when I was told I was next on the list I felt better. Job was completed and it looks FANTASTIC! I recommend them as long as you're not in a hurry.

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<p>Everett Abrams, "Deck Restoration Plus" delivered everything promised in the proposal.</p> <p>A 19' X 30' deck, weather worn, with loose rails, damaged board and loose skirting was restored by sanding, light pressure washing, reattachment of skirting and firm lag bolting of rail posts. Knot holes and bee holes were wood puttied.</p> <p>Everett was quick to respond to review comments with satisfactory actions, like replacing a damaged board and adding filler pieces where requested.</p> <p>His specialist crews are hardworking, pleasant and respectful.</p> <p>The result was a happy job , restoration to like new.</p> <br />

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I contacted the company to request an estimate on Tuesday by e-mail. I received a phone call message from them Tuesday evening. When I returned their call on Wednesday afternoon, they had already stopped by my house to take a look at the deck so that they had an estimate ready for me when I spoke to them on Wednesday. This is the 3rd time I used this company over the past 10 years and have always had good experiences with them. I have always contacted the same person, Everett Abrahms who is honest, helpful and competetive in price. <br />