Accurate Decks & Fences

I contacted Chris when I first bought my house about installing a cedar privacy fence. He showed up the day we moved in & was incredibly informative. I told him we would have to wait until Spring or Summer for the budget & he was extremely understanding. When the time came, we had to work to find a time that worked for everyone’s schedules which was a challenge but ultimately worked out. The craftsmanship is out of this world. This is not your average privacy fence. He has an eye for detail & makes everything he builds unique. We couldn’t be happier with the finish product or the price!

Chris Smith of Accurate Fences did excellent work. He listened to our ideas, looked at a picture that had been clipped from a magazine, and then enthusiastically adapted and combined those elements to create the perfect deck for our needs. Chris designed the deck to be compatible with the architectural designs of our midtown house. For example, the rafters on the deck were cut to imitate the style of the supports under the eves of the house and the treads of the stairs were joined together in a herringbone pattern that repeated the pattern of the bricks in the patio. The deck is both solid and attractive. As we walk on the deck and down the steps, there is no wobble, bounce, or vibration. Also, there are no screws visible on the deck floor, all fasteners are hidden. A lighting system was installed on the risers to provide safety and add an attractive touch of light at night. Please check the photos. Overall, we were impressed by Chris's ability as a builder, and we were also impressed with his character - his honesty and trustworthiness.

Really well under difficult circumstances

The finished fence far exceeds our expectations and qualifies as a work of art. Chris consulted with us and provided ideas to make our fence unique. The team consistently showed up on time and were polite and respectful. I would absolutely recommend Accurate Decks & Fences to anyone looking for a skilled reliable team to complete a project.

It went very well. Fence looks great.

Chris is a good salesman and worked with us on redesigning our deck, designing a screened enclosure off the deck and redoing two sections of fence. Chris is also an excellent carpenter and does very good work (when you can get him to do it). His scheduling and follow up, however, are very poor. Chris started the job at the end of January and did not finish until mid-April. While there was a good bit of rain/weather that slowed things down, this project should not have taken three months to complete. I've been trying to get him to come back to finish a few items that he said he would do, and he keeps telling me he's going to come by but never shows up.

A helped design a deck that enhanced the look and resale value of the home. Construction was top quality, price was very reasonable. He also gave good tips on stain colors and maintenance.

Chris was very professional and did a awesome job on our fence removal and replacement job. The fence looks marvelous. We also asked that he put in a gate in our back fence, which has turn out to be a blessing. We are very happy with his work and will have him replace the remainder of our fence when it needs to be replaced. Thanks, Chris.

Chris Smith responded to my Angie's List email message promptly (3/25) and came to my property the following day (3/26) to survey the proposed job site and offer an estimate. I found Mr. Smith to be gregarious, professional in dress and demeanor, and punctual. Two days later, he provided me (via email) with a very competitive price for the above-mentioned task; but, I was so impressed with the pricing and time frame he provided for the removal of a span of chain-link and the erection of approximately 90' of fencing plus an access gate that I accepted his offer and, on March 29, asked him to proceed, which he said he could do by week's end.

The first whiff of trouble made an appearance as soon as I pulled the trigger on the project. On Friday, March 31, I texted Mr. Smith to get a feel for when he might begin the job. Two days later, on April 2, he replied with apologies for not having responded sooner, attributed it to having been "distracted or something," then quoted Monday, April 10 of the following week as his start date. I contacted him on 4/5 to confirm; received an answer in the affirmative for 4/10 around midday. Late afternoon of 4/10, he dropped me a text to say he'd have to wait until the following day to get started, as it had threatened rain, and he didn't want the integrity of the posts to be compromised by the rain. He returned with his crew of men on 4/11 and by the time I had returned home from school teaching and track practice, the project was all but complete--the work was excellent and, along the way, Mr. Smith suggested, was given permission to, and executed, some aesthetic modifications that made the finished product all the nicer.

At that point, I could not have been more satisfied and only the gate remained to be fabricated, which he said he'd do next morning. Late afternoon the next day (4/12) and still no gate. His response to my follow-up texts was that his phone had died but that he'd be there the next morning. Late in the day of 4/12, Mr. Smith texted me to ask how I liked the gate; it was beautiful and I loved it.

Then, the problems began to intensify.

The next day, as I began to landscape along the new fence, I noticed there were 3-4 pickets that were warped at the bottom, and, that the crew had not affixed handles to the gate; I called Chris, apprised him of the situation--I actually asked if he could tell me where he had sourced the pickets and where I could buy the gate hardware to make the aforementioned repairs myself--and he volunteered to take care of both tasks. Almost a week passed, but on Friday 4/21, Mr. Smith texted his apologies for not having come by; he said, however, that he had the replacement parts and would be here soon. The weekend came, the weekend went, and nothing had been done. That Monday (4/24), I texted him to get an estimate as to when his guys would be out to fix things up; no response. I called and left a message in search of a definitive date for the completion of a task he volunteered to perform; this time, though, my tone belied the frustration I had begun to experience from having received no reply to my queries. Next day, though Mr. Smith had not replied to any of my texts, the fixes were accomplished.

A few weeks later (May 11), I emailed him to request a cost estimate for finishing the fence around the backyard perimeter; again, the work was excellent and the pricing was competitive. He came by promptly (Saturday, May 13), chatted with me for an hour, and left having promised to send a quote AND to bring by a King of Spades shovel he thought I'd like to try. Three days later (5/17), I got the quote, agreed to the pricing, and he told me he would work me in the week of May 22. On May 25, I pinged him as to the start date; he replied a crewman had broken a finger, he was obliged to work with another crewman to finish another job, but that he'd get started the following day (5/26). Multiple texts went without reply all day Friday. I left town for a week on Saturday, May 27; but, because he had yet to reply to any of the many messages I had left him, I delivered an ultimatum as to my conditions for job completion--not surprisingly, Mr. Smith responded immediately. He offered some excuses for not having started the job (all of which I totally understood, one of which involved family issues), but not for having failed to simply reply to any one of the several texts and emails I had sent with some kind--any kind--of reason for that breach of professionalism. Because one of my conditions centered on a financial penalty for every day project completion was delayed, and because he said he could not complete the job within the dates he had initially set forth with me, Mr. Smith said he was going to walk away from the job.

Now, because I possess empathy for any man's trials, and because his work was good, AND because I had planned to do landscaping along the new fence as soon as I returned to town (I had a week's window for so doing), I responded by saying that if he still wanted the job and could get it done the first of the week of May 29 that I wanted him to proceed. He replied the morning of May 28 to say that he wanted the job, stated "I love working for you," and would be back in touch later that day. Nothing from Mr. Smith that day (May 28). Nothing May 29 or 30.

On May 31, I texted Mr. Smith to get an estimate on job completion. No response.

On June 2, I texted and left a voice mail for him. No response to either.

Today, June 3, I emailed and called, leaving a voicemail. Nothing. I am fully aware that many homes and businesses in Shelby County were without power from last Saturday even until today; I was one of them. Yet, as a small businessman I also make it a point to communicate with my clients promptly . . . especially if I have bad news to deliver.

This, finally, is my criticism of Accurate Decks & Fences: failure to communicate. Had this firm quoted for completion this past week (May 29) or next week or next month, I would have had information with which I might have made different decisions about the fence erection and my follow-on projects. As it stands, I must now go back to suppliers I rejected and ask them to reconsider my job having wasted weeks waiting for the delivery of simple promises.

Other than the weather causing more delays than we both wanted, the outcome of the fence is very high quality. Chris and his workers are very polite and easy to work with. My fence line had 2 large oak tress directly on the property line that Chris was able to build around and make it look nice. He also took 8 foot slats to mix in to the back line to keep the tops level all the way across. Chris beat out 2 other offers from local companies in Memphis. He was also able to get to me faster than larger companies. Overall I am very satisfied and would definitely use Chris again if I move and there is no privacy fence.

Chris did an excellent job. He was prompt and communicated clearly setting clear expectations and meeting deadlines with high quality using care and attention to details of the project.

Very well. We especially liked his technique of fencing over natural drain area in our lawn, which could have damaged the fence. The fence went straight off the house, pets cannot get out and fence stays dry. The gates look great, we've had multiple neighbors stop to admire the fence and ask for quotes for their property. We appreciated his craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Contacted Chris Smith owner of Accurate General Construction and he met me on site (at the lake house) to review plans and see layout of the lake bank and visualize the project.  The lake is lowered every 5 years for several weeks to allow construction/repair on the lake's docks, boat houses and sea-walls.  Chris had many great ideas and it was very apparent that he had a quality approach to his job and work.  Everything was constructed in a solid manner with specs far exceeding minimum requirements.  The whole dock was built using Timberloc screws and is by far the most well constructed dock on the lake and will last for many years to come.
The project consisted of three phases: setting posts, beam and joist framing and decking.  The project actually took about 4 weeks considering weather and various other construction needed on lake bank by another contractor.  Chris and his crew worked long hrs and were very flexible as needed.  I ordered all materials and he worked with me when needed on delivery delays etc.
I added to the initial agreed upon plan and added a couple of work items.  We verbally agreed to changes and modifications and I had complete trust and confidence he was going to complete the job as discussed under the terms agreed upon.  He cleaned up the work area and provided updates through out the engagement via text messages and emailed pics.
Very satisfied with the project and will have Accurate General Construction do additional projects for me in the future.