Family owned business with over 20 years of experience. All aspects of carpentry including kitchens/Bath remodel, trim, decks, tile, backsplashes and more. Owner operated. Free estimates
"Incredible experience with these guys. Great communication, great work. Have used them for other projects since. And will use them again!"
Dan F on March 2025
Family owned business with over 20 years of experience. All aspects of carpentry including kitchens/Bath remodel, trim, decks, tile, backsplashes and more. Owner operated. Free estimates
"Incredible experience with these guys. Great communication, great work. Have used them for other projects since. And will use them again!"
Dan F on March 2025
My name is Darren Maynes, founder and owner of Alternate Route Construction. We are located in Smyrna, Delaware. We specialize in finish carpentry and woodworking; such as Crown moulding, Wainscoting, Coffered ceilings, Accent walls, Ship lap, Panel moulding, Custom woodworking, and Historic renovations; However, we cover all phases of construction; including handyman services, tile, drywall, painting, plumbing, kitchens, bathrooms, and more.
"Darren and his team installed new, super-sturdy and beautiful handrails on a set of stairs at my father's home. Darren was friendly and helpful throughout the process, and eager to brainstorm to give us what we needed. It was a relatively small job, but Darren worked carefully and conscientiously, and he explained everything thoroughly to my father. We love the new rails and would hire him again in a second."
Yvonne F on January 2025
My name is Darren Maynes, founder and owner of Alternate Route Construction. We are located in Smyrna, Delaware. We specialize in finish carpentry and woodworking; such as Crown moulding, Wainscoting, Coffered ceilings, Accent walls, Ship lap, Panel moulding, Custom woodworking, and Historic renovations; However, we cover all phases of construction; including handyman services, tile, drywall, painting, plumbing, kitchens, bathrooms, and more.
"Darren and his team installed new, super-sturdy and beautiful handrails on a set of stairs at my father's home. Darren was friendly and helpful throughout the process, and eager to brainstorm to give us what we needed. It was a relatively small job, but Darren worked carefully and conscientiously, and he explained everything thoroughly to my father. We love the new rails and would hire him again in a second."
Yvonne F on January 2025
Custom cabinets and furniture of all types. Any woodworking job, we can make it happen! We work on built-ins, bunk beds, clocks, counter tops, etc. If you can dream it, we can build it!
"Excellent workmanship. Friendly workers. Excellent labor charge. Fast response to my request."
John G on October 2024
Custom cabinets and furniture of all types. Any woodworking job, we can make it happen! We work on built-ins, bunk beds, clocks, counter tops, etc. If you can dream it, we can build it!
"Excellent workmanship. Friendly workers. Excellent labor charge. Fast response to my request."
John G on October 2024
WE ARE A SMALL OWNER OPERATED BUSINESS. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE BEST HANDYMAN AND JUNK REMOVAL SERVICES IN OUR MARKET WITH GREAT SERVICE AND BELOW MARKET PRICES. WE ARE AVAILABLE 7 DAYS PER WEEK
"Excellent job done in setting up a gazebo on our patio."
Delmar W on March 2025
WE ARE A SMALL OWNER OPERATED BUSINESS. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE BEST HANDYMAN AND JUNK REMOVAL SERVICES IN OUR MARKET WITH GREAT SERVICE AND BELOW MARKET PRICES. WE ARE AVAILABLE 7 DAYS PER WEEK
"Excellent job done in setting up a gazebo on our patio."
Delmar W on March 2025
Founded in 2017, Mikes Home Improvement is a trusted business specializing in remodeling, tile work, and concrete services, including brick and block installation. We deliver high-quality craftsmanship for your residential projects. Whether you're updating your kitchen, renovating your bathroom, or enhancing your outdoor spaces, at Mikes Home Improvement we bring your vision to life.
"Awesome job completed, showed up every day until the job was done and work was done beautifully"
Michelle S on January 2025
Founded in 2017, Mikes Home Improvement is a trusted business specializing in remodeling, tile work, and concrete services, including brick and block installation. We deliver high-quality craftsmanship for your residential projects. Whether you're updating your kitchen, renovating your bathroom, or enhancing your outdoor spaces, at Mikes Home Improvement we bring your vision to life.
"Awesome job completed, showed up every day until the job was done and work was done beautifully"
Michelle S on January 2025
Complete handyman services including Windows, Siding, & Roofing problems including blown off shingles, patches. Gutter cleaning. No job is too small.
"Simon was very knowledgeable and explained what steps had to be taken to correct my home's issues."
Carleen J on April 2025
Complete handyman services including Windows, Siding, & Roofing problems including blown off shingles, patches. Gutter cleaning. No job is too small.
"Simon was very knowledgeable and explained what steps had to be taken to correct my home's issues."
Carleen J on April 2025
My name is Patsy Cicala Jr., I am the recipient of the Super Service Award for 2016 -2022 from Angie's List. BEST WAY TO GET IN TOUCH IS pcicala1@gmail.com, or call 302-245-5606. I retired here 11 years ago in Sussex County after a rewarding career in the field of Environmental Science and General Contracting in upstate New York. When you retire, you should have an exit plan.... I, however, am finding sitting down to read a book or taking a long stroll on the beach will result in either me being placed in a mental institution, or being shot by my wife (she says I am driving her crazy). Therefore, after renovating three homes in the area, I have decided to offer my services as a handyman. My wife says that I can do small repairs including bathrooms, kitchens, and small additions, porches and decks, Check out my Photo Gallery to see if I can fulfill your needs
"I was very pleased with Something Constructive. Patsy is a great guy, very personable, and you quickly feel like family. He is creative, has a keen eye, and is a great problem solver. He and his crew are great – so pleasant and respectful. I actually enjoyed seeing them each day! They work together well, are meticulous – the work quality is excellent, and they were very neat. My neighbors were very impressed with how nicely they maintained the area while working. Patsy and his crew stayed on schedule and he is really good at keeping you posted along the way. I highly recommend!!!"
amy g on April 2025
My name is Patsy Cicala Jr., I am the recipient of the Super Service Award for 2016 -2022 from Angie's List. BEST WAY TO GET IN TOUCH IS pcicala1@gmail.com, or call 302-245-5606. I retired here 11 years ago in Sussex County after a rewarding career in the field of Environmental Science and General Contracting in upstate New York. When you retire, you should have an exit plan.... I, however, am finding sitting down to read a book or taking a long stroll on the beach will result in either me being placed in a mental institution, or being shot by my wife (she says I am driving her crazy). Therefore, after renovating three homes in the area, I have decided to offer my services as a handyman. My wife says that I can do small repairs including bathrooms, kitchens, and small additions, porches and decks, Check out my Photo Gallery to see if I can fulfill your needs
"I was very pleased with Something Constructive. Patsy is a great guy, very personable, and you quickly feel like family. He is creative, has a keen eye, and is a great problem solver. He and his crew are great – so pleasant and respectful. I actually enjoyed seeing them each day! They work together well, are meticulous – the work quality is excellent, and they were very neat. My neighbors were very impressed with how nicely they maintained the area while working. Patsy and his crew stayed on schedule and he is really good at keeping you posted along the way. I highly recommend!!!"
amy g on April 2025
We are a custom acrylic fabrication shop with stock designs also shown on our website. Our quality is the finest in the acrylic industry. Display cases, wall cabinets, display covers and bases for antiques, model ships, collectibles, and turntables. Safely packaged and shipped to your door. We ship to all of the US states and cities in 48 contiguous states. Email or call us for a free quote 1 800-971-6276.
"I have been a customer/consumer for many years. The products are manufactured to the very highest quality possible. Packing & shipping are the Industry Standards. Customer Service is the benchmark of the business. Every company should use J Display Case as their Business Model ! Kudos !!!"
Art W on August 2024
We are a custom acrylic fabrication shop with stock designs also shown on our website. Our quality is the finest in the acrylic industry. Display cases, wall cabinets, display covers and bases for antiques, model ships, collectibles, and turntables. Safely packaged and shipped to your door. We ship to all of the US states and cities in 48 contiguous states. Email or call us for a free quote 1 800-971-6276.
"I have been a customer/consumer for many years. The products are manufactured to the very highest quality possible. Packing & shipping are the Industry Standards. Customer Service is the benchmark of the business. Every company should use J Display Case as their Business Model ! Kudos !!!"
Art W on August 2024
Family-owned general contracting business that provides exceptional service and pricing. No job to big or small. Also available for sub-contracting.
Family-owned general contracting business that provides exceptional service and pricing. No job to big or small. Also available for sub-contracting.
We do it all from A to Z. From your smallest of jobs to building your dream home, Anthony's Remodeling Contractor will provide the quality of work that you would expect at a reasonable price that you would not expect. Family owned and operated business for over 20 years. FREE estimates. Military and senior discount. We offer more than the average business. We build long lasting relationships with our customers. Serving all of Delaware, Elkton, Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. We look forward to serving you and building a long lasting relationship. Call today for your FREE estimate.
"HORRIBLE CONTRACTORS!!! I have had contractors before and experienced some issues but this Anthony guy is very unprofessional and he is an absolutely nightmare! Not a single item was completed from the contract he and I agreed on and he took 60% of the contract amount and he stopped working the property. I had a property with some cosmetic work stuff and repairs which shouldn’t be that complicated. After he toured the property and gave me estimated time frame for 2 weeks. I know normally how it is not done with contractors so I asked him a few more times and confirmed if he could really finish it in two weeks. He was confident and said two weeks for no problem. After it has been almost 4 weeks, not even a quarter of work has been done and I noticed he didn’t even show up. He has so many excuses and complaints every single time when I contacted him. It felt like he was working for free which was not true. We agreed on 3 installment payments, 1st installment, before the job start about 30% of the total price, and 2nd one, 1/3 of the total price, and the last one at the completion of the job. After 2 weeks of work and not much of work has been done, he already requested for the 2nd installment. I asked him, the work has not been done 2/3 of the job, more over not even half way done. Anyway, he got upset and he wouldn’t continue the job if I didn’t pay. So I paid and then BOOM! He didn’t show up at work and when I asked him, his answer was it is too cold to work at the property. He made excuses and excuses and he said he will only come back if the heater is fixed. I did and texted him and called him. NO RESPONSE. Besides, his quality of work is horrible. He and his crew painted all over, light fixtures, light bulbs, floors, even bathtub. What kind of painter paint over the tub?! They simply didn’t even covered the parts not supposed to paint but they were so lazy and sloppy worker. They installed the brand new room doors, two out of three, didn’t even close properly and didn’t even use the shim. Installing the door is one of the basic carpentry job and he can’t even do that! I asked for the breakdown of the work and cost and no answer. When I confronted him for a few stuff, he just blah blah blah and repeating himself by making endless nonsense and not doing the job at all. Even if he does a job, not a good quality one."
Leeah L on February 2019
We do it all from A to Z. From your smallest of jobs to building your dream home, Anthony's Remodeling Contractor will provide the quality of work that you would expect at a reasonable price that you would not expect. Family owned and operated business for over 20 years. FREE estimates. Military and senior discount. We offer more than the average business. We build long lasting relationships with our customers. Serving all of Delaware, Elkton, Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. We look forward to serving you and building a long lasting relationship. Call today for your FREE estimate.
"HORRIBLE CONTRACTORS!!! I have had contractors before and experienced some issues but this Anthony guy is very unprofessional and he is an absolutely nightmare! Not a single item was completed from the contract he and I agreed on and he took 60% of the contract amount and he stopped working the property. I had a property with some cosmetic work stuff and repairs which shouldn’t be that complicated. After he toured the property and gave me estimated time frame for 2 weeks. I know normally how it is not done with contractors so I asked him a few more times and confirmed if he could really finish it in two weeks. He was confident and said two weeks for no problem. After it has been almost 4 weeks, not even a quarter of work has been done and I noticed he didn’t even show up. He has so many excuses and complaints every single time when I contacted him. It felt like he was working for free which was not true. We agreed on 3 installment payments, 1st installment, before the job start about 30% of the total price, and 2nd one, 1/3 of the total price, and the last one at the completion of the job. After 2 weeks of work and not much of work has been done, he already requested for the 2nd installment. I asked him, the work has not been done 2/3 of the job, more over not even half way done. Anyway, he got upset and he wouldn’t continue the job if I didn’t pay. So I paid and then BOOM! He didn’t show up at work and when I asked him, his answer was it is too cold to work at the property. He made excuses and excuses and he said he will only come back if the heater is fixed. I did and texted him and called him. NO RESPONSE. Besides, his quality of work is horrible. He and his crew painted all over, light fixtures, light bulbs, floors, even bathtub. What kind of painter paint over the tub?! They simply didn’t even covered the parts not supposed to paint but they were so lazy and sloppy worker. They installed the brand new room doors, two out of three, didn’t even close properly and didn’t even use the shim. Installing the door is one of the basic carpentry job and he can’t even do that! I asked for the breakdown of the work and cost and no answer. When I confronted him for a few stuff, he just blah blah blah and repeating himself by making endless nonsense and not doing the job at all. Even if he does a job, not a good quality one."
Leeah L on February 2019
To avoid damaging the surface of wood and composite decks, use a pressure washer with a maximum of 1,300 PSI. For metal or decks made of extra hard surfaces, you can go up to 2,300 PSI. Staying within these limits helps remove stubborn dirt and stains without harming your deck.
Yes, it's a good idea to pressure wash your deck before staining it. A thorough cleaning by a pressure washing professional removes dirt, mildew, and old paint or stain, ensuring the new stain adheres properly and looks great. A clean deck also means the stain will last longer and better protect your deck.
Determining whether to use soap when pressure washing your deck depends on the extent of soiling. For lightly soiled decks, water alone may suffice; however, heavy dirt and oily residues demand a specialized, deck-safe detergent. Using the right soap enhances the cleaning process by breaking down stubborn grime while safeguarding the deck’s surface.
The optimal time to pressure wash your deck is in the spring or fall. In spring, cleaning eliminates winter mold and accumulated dirt, while in fall, it removes greasy spills before the cold sets in. Scheduling cleaning during these periods not only enhances your deck’s appearance but also preserves its integrity and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
If your deck was recently stained or sealed, you do not need to apply a new sealant immediately. However, if several years have passed since the last resealing, pressure washing effectively removes old sealant and prepares the surface for a fresh coat. Resealing protects against moisture intrusion and prolongs the deck’s lifespan, ensuring a durable and even finish.