DECKS ATLANTA

This was a terrible experience - the contractor abandoned the job.

In the beginning, the contractor was eager for the business and was very accommodating (Feb 11).  Our original plans were not feasible due to proximity to the property line.  An alternate plan was developed and then the problems began...

There was a promise that the permits had been filed.  After a couple of weeks of waiting for the permits, I called the city of Atlanta myself only to find that no application had been received (May 2011).  Only after we questioned the contractor about this were the permits filed.

Construction began (Jun 11) and I realized that the bottom deck would be six inches above the the AC units.  I halted the construction until I could have the units moved.  This needed to happen, however, I would expect a competent contractor to realize this in the design phase, or at the very least, bring it to my attention as soon as his crew realized it.  

Construction continued intermittently through September with the electrical work passing inspection and the framing and footings failing inspection.  The situation deteriorated to the point where a crew would only show up when we called to ask about the lack of progress.  This worked about three times.  After that point, promises to show up would be made, but it wouldn't happen.  Excuses followed: "I wrecked my truck," "I've thrown out my back," "I'm waiting on..."  Someone would show up for about 4 hours once every three weeks until November, at which point, our calls went unanswered.  

On one of the final days where workers did show up, one confided in me that the contractor had taken on too many projects and had "spread himself too thin" and was "unable to keep up" with his subs and suppliers.   We paid for two of three phases of the construction (per the contract) and ended up having to demand completion via certified letter.  This went unanswered. Frustratingly, the job was abandoned with less than 7 days of solid work remaining.

Although the structural work that was done was of seemingly acceptable quality, we won't know the real story until we have it inspected by another contractor.  A word to the wise - it's very hard to find a contractor willing to take over a project with an open permit because no one wants the liability. 

Avoid this contractor.

The quality of work was excellent overall. The porch was built during August through October; longer than we thought, but temperatures went as high as 117 in the sun on many days which made it impossible to work. Some days no work was performed and we were no kept informed of what was coming next or when. If we called we were responded to. All of our concerns were dealt with by the owner in a professional and very satisfactory manner. The men working for him are top notch and extremely skilled. We were especially impressed with he carpentry and painting; so much so we had the painters paint our house.

We hired Decks Atlanta to add a screen porch to our home in 2002. They were one of the best contractors we ever hired. They showed up on time and were quite professional. In fact we were so pleased with Decks Atlanta we had them extend our deck and add a screen porch to our new home in 2006. We also recommended them to our family who had them build a screen porch for them too. Thanks.

The job was professionally done. The work crew was on time, professional, and clean. They arrived when they said they would, and finished the job on time. I will have them back to re-build my deck in a couple months.