Classic Design Group

Fantastic, trustworthy building group who went above and beyond with every project. After starting with a deck project, we were so impressed with their work that we went on to add a screened porch, refinished a large basement and then added a large stone paver outdoor entertainment area with a 6-foot fire pit. They managed difficult permitting issues and were creative in their ideas for and troubleshooting during each project. Everything ran on time and within budget. We particularly appreciated their experienced advice as to where they recommended we spend or save money for features or materials. The oldest project was completed over 7 years ago and each area they built for us has held up virtually maintenance and defect free. Cannot recommend them highly enough!!

Everything was great! They even were able to use the original staircase by moving it from the older section to the new section. The employees were polite and careful with our property and worked very diligently - in really hot weather and sometimes in a light rain. Loved our salesman who was always available and checking on the progress of the job until its completion. When our hot tub was delivered, one of the bases for the stairway was damaged and CDG returned to fix the damage. CDG also was excellent at navigation the HOA forms, etc. I would recommend them very highly.

We had a new deck and patio built. It looked great from the outside. However, the following year we had problems with the patio due to poor construction. Mr Sorge ignored our repeated requests for service. We got no response. Crickets. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission got involved and Mr Sorge was forced to rebuild the patio. A few years pass, and Now we discovered the deck has rotten wood beneath due to poor construction. We once again contacted Mr. Sorge explaining the issue and acknowledging the warranty expired. We were willing to pay for services. No response. BUYER BEWARE

This is a letter we wrote to the company, explaining our disappointment with their company.  
July 2, 2013
Classic Design Group
5433 Woodbine Rd
Woodbine, MD 21797
Enclosed is our final payment.  Please be advised that we will be submitting reviews to various consumer sites, such as Angie?s List, regarding the disappointing experience we?ve had with your company.  The reasons are as follows:
In particular, we were not pleased to find that the original design, as contracted, was changed without our consent, and in such a way that the ground level exit would have been unusable. Needless to say, we never would have approved the change.  Correcting this action required a permit revision and caused a subsequent delay.  
The communication and customer service provided was very poor.  We were not kept informed when delays, which were not weather related, occurred.  We made repeated calls and sent emails to our sales representative, Dan Brewer.  Initially, Dan was responsive.  Once we signed the contract, and as the project went on and progress stalled, no one returned our calls or emails.
Lastly, the wrong post cap lights were installed.  Dan Brewer had emailed us a photo of the Aurora Saturn post cap light, which we agreed on and was specified in our contract.  Any changes to the contract were to be agreed upon and approved by both parties; however,  we did not learn of the light replacement until the last day of construction.  Instead of alerting us of any problem and giving us an opportunity to choose something else, a replacement was chosen without consulting us.  That is very poor customer service.  Furthermore, we asked for evidence the substituted lights were not less expensive than those contracted.  We were told we would be provided that evidence, but never received it.
We are satisfied with the end result.  However, the poor communication, coupled with the unauthorized changes to the contract, leave us unwilling to use CDG for future projects.