"Jhon and the team were very professional, from setting up the project, to careful completion. Very competitive pricing. This was an exterior porch painting project, with white railings, posts, and skirt lattice, and red flooring and lower trim. They did a very clean painting, with excellent coverage. I would hire again, for either exterior or interior projects."
"Wonderful job! Mr. Dudley works with his son and wife and they got things done fast and efficiently. They knew exactly how to fix a wide variety of issues and even offered suggestions on how to save money on other issues. It was a great experience - I highly recommend this team."
"It went very well. They came and pressure washed the whole house. Took down the rain gutters and masked everything and put two coats to paint on the house and the deck. They did a wonderful job. They were very professional and very nice to work with."
"They were excellent, I would highly recommend. Everyone was very professional and showed up right when they said they would. They were gentle and everything arrived intact. They had us on the road in no time."
"We were very pleased with the work and the work ethic of Sandy and Keyenne. They were prompt, friendly, efficient, and kept the mess to a minimum, plus I liked their music.! Sandy has a great eye for color and gave some wonderful advice when we were discussing color choices. She suggested accent wall color and colors above/below chair rail to make it "pop"!! And she was right! We are very happy with the end results. "
I had contacted five other contractors before finding Barry and his stellar team. Two contractors were no shows and three showed but did not return with an estimate, even after several calls to them. I knew that the job would be challenging and would require a skilled architect and contractor. While where the pool sat was level ground, the ground surrounding it was not, it provided very difficult elevation changes. Additionally the deck had to marry to the house and Florida room elevations, which were also different. I also wanted the deck boards to carry over the pool edge all around the pool - an oval pool within a disparate geometric deck (probably why the other contractors ran away)
Barry arrived on time to provide an estimate, made some initial measurements, addressed material requirements, number of gates, steps, access points, etc. Provided a rough order of magnitude based on estimated square footage and asked if he could have his architect come out. I agreed and he said he would get back to me. Barry returned the following day with the architect, three days after that we had plans and a contract. Two days after that we had a permit, then 3 days later the material was delivered and with it a crew that I can say based on experience before and after the job is in all likely hood the best in the area (not my first contracting rodeo in Virginia Beach). Barry's "A" team is compromised of his son Chase, Fanz Roman and Gilder Roman. The crew was polite, attentive and most importantly WORKED from the time they arrived till the time they departed.
I know Barry had other jobs ongoing in parallel with mine; but Barry showed up regularly to both work alongside his crew and provide supervision for the challenging compound miters (though little to no supervision was needed-they all have mad carpentry skills!). Barry did have to absent himself for a job up north for a day or two; but the team never missed a beat and Barry called me to ensure I was having no issues. One of Barry's attributes that I really appreciated, other than his knowledge and experience, was his responsiveness, whether through email or phone he always answered immediately. I also appreciated that we worked as a team. If there was an issue it was resolved quickly. As an example, it became apparent that the planned deck pattern would not work, though it looked good on paper. Fanz and Gilder designed a solution, laid it out for approval, The result was perfect!
I have two more projects I am saving for. I am not even going to waste my time chasing after other contractors. Barry's price is within the market, his work ethic exemplary and he delivers on his promise, the jobs will be his. I want it right, so I will wait for his availability.
"I found Sky Home Improvements through Angie's List, and gave them a call. They returned my call the next day and were prompt in getting to my home to assess the problem and give me an estimate. Dan went up on the roof and took pictures that he showed me to help me understand what was causing the roof to leak and what needed to be done to fix it. Along with the estimate, Dan gave me a folder which contained Job References, copy of his Contracting License, and a copy of Certificate of Liability Insurance. The following day Dan and Chuck were back and fixed the roof. They arrived on time, and after they finished the repair, took time to explain again what was done. Dan and Chuck were extremely polite, professional, and knowledgeable. I will definitely call on their expertise for any roofing work that needs to be done in the future."
It’s important to make sure the wood on a new deck is properly seasoned. Seasoning a deck is simple: Once you build it (or have a pro do so), just leave it alone so it can acclimate to the environment. If you don’t give the deck proper seasoning time before staining, the stain can lock in any lingering moisture and cause mold, rot, and other moisture issues down the road. Give the wood at least four to eight weeks to season before you stain.
Choosing whether your deck should be lighter or darker than your house is a matter of personal preference, as there is no right or wrong answer. However, considering the pros and cons of each can help guide your decision. Darker colors are often chosen because they show less dirt, footprints, and marks from daily wear, making them easier to keep clean. On the other hand, lighter deck colors tend to stay cooler in the summer. From a design perspective, using a deck color that contrasts with your home's exterior can help make the deck a more defined and distinct feature. Consulting color theory can also make the process of choosing a complementary house and deck color combination easier.
Ipe wood can last up to 75 years with minimal maintenance because its own oils help to preserve it. However, to get the most out of your Ipe wood deck, you should perform some routine maintenance, including regular cleaning, sweeping of leaves and debris, and rinsing spills with a hose. It’s also important to repair any deep scratches as soon as you spot them and reseal the deck annually to protect against scratches and scuffs.
Yes, pressure-treated wood can occasionally turn green due to certain preservatives, such as copper-based chemicals, used during the treatment process. These chemicals react with the wood, creating a greenish tint. The good news? It's temporary, and the color will fade over time. Staining or painting can also help hide any unwanted hues.
Choosing the right product involves understanding deck material, desired finish, and local weather conditions. Opt for high-quality, weatherproof formulations ensuring long-term durability and appearance retention.
The Austinville, VA homeowners’ guide to deck staining services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Cedar is a popular decking material, best known for its natural wooden look and resistance to rot. So, how much does a cedar deck cost? Find out in this guide.
