Lone Star Decks

I had a bad contractor attempt to build a new deck for me. Thank goodness I found Tommy Hollis and Lone Star Deck. Tommy and his crew came out promptly and had to tear out the mess the bad contractor did. Tommy and his crew were always professional, prompt, cleaned up daily, efficient and managed to install the composite deck and railing as promised before my daughter's wedding. I highly recommend Tommy and his crew. He "saved the day" for me. Also, his pricing was fair and reasonable. His work and product is warrantied. I give him 5 stars across the board. Thank you Tommy Hollis and your amazing crew for a superb experience and deck!!

Lone Star Decks is a fantastic company, and we had an excellent experience working with them. We were extremely happy with Tommy Hollis (owner) and his crew. We had a fairly complex project that included a large 1000+ sqft deck around our pool. The deck had many angles and diagonal cut lines, and they had to take out a lot of dirt in order to match up the height of the deck to exactly match the pool surround. The crew did an excellent job of navigating those complexities. We also had Lone Star Decks build a large pergola above our outdoor kitchen area, and also covering some of the deck that they built. Again, the project was fairly complex in order to get everything to line up symmetrically. Some of the companies that we talked to didn't really have a vision for how to make it work. But Tommy was able to map everything out, and the crew built it right. The pergola is fantastic and is clearly very sturdy. Tommy has also stood behind his work, and sent the crew back out here after project completion to correct a couple of minor items that we didn't see at project completion. The crew came out here and took care of the issues to our satisfaction. Trex decking is not cheap, and we received bids from several different companies. Lone Star Decks was not the cheapest (hence the B rating on price), but their prices were very reasonable. And seeing the quality of their work, we are happy with the price. We would absolutely recommend Lone Star Decks, and we would certainly work with them again for future projects.

Tommy's team did a great job for us. Very professional and easy to work with.

Everything went very well.  Price, quality, professionalism, promptness, working with us on a couple of odd quirks, everything was very good.  

The overall experience was exceptional.  I have intentionally waited nearly 3 years to do this review because I wanted to give the deck a good test of time before remarking on the product and the installer.  If any of you have any doubts about the cost / benefit of Trex Transcend, put those doubts aside if you can get Lone Star Deck to do the design and install.  Today, the deck looks as good as when it was newly installed.  We have had 2 large dogs (55 lbs plus) that are romping around on the deck throughout the day, everyday.  There are no scratch marks from their paw nails. .  Our natural gas grill is on the deck surface in a prominent location, and we have used it extensively.  With appropriate care, you have no issues with grease, staining, etc of the deck surface.   If you have "hard" water and keep a doggie water bowl on the deck, you need to be sensitive to cleaning up that area somewhat more often so the calcium does not solidify and cause a surface accumulation, which will require a bit more "elbow grease" to remove.  When it comes to cleaning the deck a few times a year, you little use mild soap, your spray hose, and a quality push broom with the correct type of bristles.  We can get our 650 sq ft cleaned in about 2 hours.   This is absolutely night and day when compared to the hours and hours of maintenance all our treated wood decks required for the previous 20 years.  Three years into this Trex deck, and people who come by for the first time still remark 'what a nice looking deck it is......', etc. 

The framework design and installation for this product is critical.  To have the kind of deck you can be proud of and enjoy care free maintenance for years, you need to select a quality installer such as Lone Star Decks.   All 3 levels of our deck continue to remain level and firm to this day.  No sagging, no squeaks when walking on it, etc.   The strength of the framework Tommy's crew designed and installed could withstand an incredible amount of weight for extended periods - it is truly rock solid.  The company demonstrates true professionalism in all aspects of the project (exploration, scoping, design, contracting, installation, and follow-up).  The on-site team left the job site each day as neat and orderly as one can reasonably expect for this type of project.  The project team was open to input and discussion as "discovery" items surfaced, as they typically do in any such project.

We have had a couple of follow-up items that were promptly handled.  The one challenge with Lone Star Decks is their work que.  They stay very busy.  However, once your project makes it to the top of the list and it starts, the project team gives it their full, undivided attention.  So,......, if you want a great deck, we have had a great experience with Trex Transcend.  If you want a great design and installation, do your planning, research, due diligence, etc. and at least consider Lone Star Decks.  In our opinion, they are worth waiting for, especially when you consider the one-time cost of the product (i.e., get it done right) in return for years of enjoyment -- that is, very low and easy maintenance for a home addition that will add value to your property.

Owner Tommy Hollis responded quickly to my request for a consultation on new decking. He came on Oct 14 and returned an initial estimate providing a few different materials options on Oct. 16. On Oct. 23 we accepted one of the options and he submitted a final estimate. Tommy told us that his company was fully booked and we should not expect them to begin before Dec.1. We accepted that projected date and gave him a check for half the payment on Oct. 28.
Before the Thanksgiving holiday, I called to ask if I could get a more detailed design than the "footprint" from which he made the estimate. I hoped to be able to see how some of the details would look since we were changing an elevation from the previous deck and moving the area of one of the levels. After a couple of phone calls, Tommy came to the house to answer my questions as we walked around the area. I would have preferred a diagram or picture, but this company does not use a computer aided design software. Nevertheless, Tommy was polite and patient with my concerns.
Four workers came to tear out the old deck on Thursday, Dec. 11. They completed digging most of the holes and setting many of the piers. The next day two men worked to complete the piers. Rain caused some delays but the workers completed the deck in the afternoon, Dec. 18. Tommy stopped by to check on them each day except the last. He instructed us to give Wyatt the remainder of the payment when they finished and we did so.
I was impressed with the work ethic and skill of the employees. They were polite and helpful. Before they tore out the old deck, they helped us move heavy potted plants off the deck and out of the way. At our request, they stacked some of the old decking for us to use on another project. If they thought anything might be objectionable or inconvenient, they checked with us first. They cleaned the site daily. We were never sure when they would show up, early morning or mid-afternoon. Some of that might have been due to the rain. Our presence was not necessary, so knowing when they were coming was not crucial to our coming and going.

Tommy was very responsive in preparing an estimate and scope for the work to be done.  The work took place sooner than originally scheduled.  They coordinated the crane rental (to deliver materials to 4th floor).  His two man crew did a great job on the decking and trellis install.  They customized the trellis based on existing elements (ie. satellite dish, doors, gates, drainage patterns) and took into account the movement of the sun.  Great job overall.

Throughout all phases of the project they were very accessible for communication and responsive to our questions. They listened to our ideas and ultimately came up with a much better design for our space than we had in mind. When the new spa was finally installed a few months later (everything takes longer than you think it will) we called to get on Lone Star's schedule for the deck construction. We were scheduled to be away from home when they had an opening for our relatively small job in between two big ones. We could either let them do it then or wait several more weeks - oh and let me just mention it was over the Memorial Day holiday so swimming season in Houston was already in full swing. We took a huge leap of faith and gave them the green light to do the construction while we were gone. I know what you're thinking and believe me I've come home to some real big surprises that previous contractors have left for me, but none were as happy as the surprise Lone Star Deck left for us. To our delight, we came home to a beautifully finished deck that was just what we wanted. They were not the least expensive bid we got but we think they were worth it. We are very happy with our TREX spa deck surround from Tommy Hollis and Lone Star Deck.

Don't know if it was our fault, not knowing the ins and outs of pergola building, but when the men came to do the work, what they expected to do was not quite what we understood it to be. We probably should have spent more time discussing with Tommy. After a few phone calls with Tommy, who, as far as I know, never came to the jobsite, we were able to get accomplished what we had expected and I really appreciated that.

They're just extremely professional and they wanted to make me happy. They did the job alright and all the staffs are polite. They knock on the door before they come in.

I was told he would start on Wednesday 11/14/2012 and they  were right on time.  Including  tearing out the old deck and installing the most beautiful deck I have ever seen, the work took 2 days.

Tommie and his team (led by Matt) were extremely professional, responsive, and did everything on-time and on-budget. They arrived earlier than I expected and were very organized. I was amazed that they were able to complete everything from start to finish in less than a full day. Matt and his team were polite, worked hard, kept me updated on the work status, and very efficient. I would highly recommend Lone Star deck for any arbor, decking, or fencing project. I don't know if they were the cheapest option, but I have learned you sometimes get what you pay for. If you want a professional service without headaches, I would recommend them.

Tommy can out within a couple of days of calling in June to provide and estimate.  He specializes in TREX and promotes it heavily but I could not afford it.  My job was delayed for a couple of months.  When I emailed Tommy in September, he honored the quote he had originally given me and scheduled the work to accommodate other work I was having done.  The job prior to mine took longer so my work did not begin on schedule.  Tommy kept me informed of the changes.  The new deck took over a week to install with 3 - 4 men working full time.  The quality and strength of the new deck far exceeds any deck I would have imagined. All of the workers were very nice and consciencious.  A sprinkler pipe and electrical conduit were broken during the construction, Tommy had them repaired at his expense.

Tommy Hollis responded to my request for an estimate the same day I called and left a message. He was prompt in returning an estimate of the cost to me. His bid was the lowest of 3 estimates I had gotten and was very reasonable. His crew was professional and  punctual each day (3 days). The area where the deck was being replaced is on the side of the house and in an area where pipes from the sprinkler system and from the pool go between the front and back yards. To complicate matters there were also pipes for equipment that was no longer there. They did break some of the sprinkler pipes while they were digging for the new posts and did mistakenly cut the pipe for the pool drain, but they fixed everything and ran a new section of pipe for the pool drain. If you have water pipes like this, it is important that you are there and watching what they are doing, but this more that likely applies to any company you hire to do this kind of work. The tear-out of the old deck included removing an old hot tub. It was too big to get through the gate, so they cut it up into 4 pieces. It was a lot of work, but they were up to the challenge. The new deck looks great.

It went great! The projecy was completed in about five days. The overall handiwork is top notch and the cedar deck is very appealing. I'm sure I could have found someone who charges less, but I don't think I could have easily found someone who provided as much value for the money. Can't wait to start having barbecues and enjoying our new deck.

They were very punctual. The estimate they gave was free.

Tommy is very nice to do business with. The crew performing the work was courteous too. I had requested the deck to be completed in one day, but between the weather and the fact that they started a bit late in the day, they had to come the next day to finish installation. On the second day they realized they were short of material to finish the trim, but the bulk of the job was completed. The next day was Sunday and they did not work. They finally finished on the third day. They hauled away some debris unrelated to the project at my request and that was nice of them. But they backed their vehicle and trailer into my front yard even though I asked them not to because they might break one of the sprinkler heads. At least they managed not to break any sprinkler heads after all, but I wish they had paid more attention in the first place. The new deck looks good, but it is not perfect. I recognize I am a bit of a perfectionist, particularly when paying this much money for a deck. I can live with it.

From the first meeting to the completion of installation, the service was exemplary. Workers came at appointed time and cleaned up after. The arbor installed looked just like photos we viewed prior to ordering. I highly recommend Lone Star Decks.

I met Tommy and got an estimate, then he gave me several samples of decking materials. We wanted Trex Deck because it's maintenance free with a 25 year warranty and it's mostly recycled materials. He worked with me on the design 2 or 3 times as I wanted railing that was a little different. The workers came the week after we met and demo'd the old decks and hauled it off. The new decks were put in place the following 10 days. He touched base with me several times about details and got my input on each. I LOVE MY DECK!

All work was accomplished efficiently. Mine was a relatively small job for Tommy, but he stayed in close touch throughout and never did I feel like my job was less important than any other. The arbor is stunningly beautiful, and the deck looks almost like new. The prices charged were very fair. There were no delays or cost overruns. I felt as soon as I met Tommy that I was dealing with an honorable man. He gave me a bid to replace the deck, which I want to do sometime in the next couple of years, but he bid it both ways and did not try to talk me into the more costly replacement at all. I found this company from a neighbor's recommendation, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone. I will definitely be working with them in the future to maintain the good work that they've done.