William Shaw

Bill was recommend to us by a neighbor. His was the middle of three price quotes, but he was the only one who openly said he couldn't meet the timeline we wanted. He didn't try to sell us fancy extras - he would build what we wanted. He was also able to name the local township construction code inspectors - the lowest priced guy didn't think we should bother with permits. Bill asked us to meet him at the local deck supply shop where he would get the materials - we were never quite clear what his present relationship was with them, but when we arrived he was *behind* the counter showing the teller how to order particular options that the waiting customer had requested (and it didn't look like a show, either). It was extremely useful looking at decking "installed" into the showroom, even if it was just an 8' long section. We selected color, "pattern", railings, etc.. Much better than a 18" sample. Bill told us it would take ten days, plus one day for every day it rained. That is, after the plans were accepted by the township and permit issued. There was a slight issue with first plans submitted concerning the attachment to the house (older cinder blocks so required bolting through, not attaching to). They dug holes through clay and into bedrock, inspector came within an hour, looked down them, waved and left. They erected the framing - it looked strong enough to hold the entire house, not just a deck. They were able to place the posts between the windows, sliding door and back-garage door. Guy #1 wasn't going to be able to do that, but Bill bolted 2x10s together to gain distance between posts when needed - all in the approved plans. Inspector revisited, asked for a couple of extra 45 degree braces, waved and left. Believe me, that deck wasn't going anywhere! Bill installed decking, rails, and staircase. Inspector came, saw the handrail on the stairs, waved and left. Deck complete. And the local Chief Inspector (aka my wife) loves the deck. Tables, chairs, BBQ and canopy appeared from nowhere and we began eating dinner on the deck. Even I - a card-carrying curmudgeon - am severely impressed. A week later the township assessor came to be similarly impressed, and adjust our taxes according, sigh. Bill was finished in eleven days - it absolutely poured with rain one day, and he didn't want to work with power-tools in a thunderstorm. He left us with cutoff boards, plus one full-length board. The composite material doesn't warp, but it will chip, just like wood. Oh, and he pressure-washed it before he left. We asked Bill if he would handle other projects that came up. He said no, he just builds decks.