"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."
"Ferguson Home Improvements did a fantastic job. All the work that needed to get done, was finished beyond my expectations. The workers were very friendly. The job took a little longer that expected, but Ferguson Home Improvements were not at fault, the weather played a major factor with the deck stain and door installation. At the time the work was getting done, we received a lot of rain and storms. All in all, I would highly recommend Ferguson Home Improvements. "
"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."
"They came and gave an estimate, coordinated with me and the insurance company, performed services above expectation. Everyone was very polite and professional. I'm going to use them again soon. "
"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.
"My experience with this company was excellent. Ben was on time, professional and completed the work to my specifications. I was very pleased with the finished product."
There are more pros than cons when staining a deck. Deck stain is more affordable than paint, it protects the wood and allows the natural textures to shine through, and it can revive the appearance of your home. However, deck stain also requires prep work (sometimes days or more), carries more upkeep than a painted deck, and can fade over time if not cared for.
A properly applied coat of stain will last between 3 and 8 years, depending on your climate. If you live in a place where your fence experiences a lot of moisture or high heat, your stain will last for a shorter period than in more temperate conditions. We recommend reapplying stain every 3 to 5 years to keep your wood in good condition.
Yes, you can and should paint or stain pressure-treated wood, as this helps prevent the surface from cracking. However, it is crucial to wait for the wood to dry out completely from the chemical treatment process before applying a finish. If the wood is still wet, the paint will not adhere properly. The drying time can range from weeks to six months. To test if the wood is ready, drip some water onto a board. If the water is absorbed, the wood is dry enough for painting or staining. If the water beads up on the surface, it needs more time to dry. You can build with the wood while it's still wet, but you must wait for it to dry before painting.
Many decking oils can help slow down algae growth, but they don't completely stop it. These oils work by sealing the wood, which reduces moisture and, therefore, algae growth. Some decking oils also help protect against UV damage, but they need to be reapplied according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the decking stays protected.
Ultimately, overapplication of stain can compromise the deck's appearance, durability, and longevity. It may result in an uneven finish, with excess stain pooling, dripping, or drying into thick patches. It can also obscure the wood's natural grain and texture, detracting from the desired aesthetic. Moreover, excessive staining may not fully penetrate the wood, leading to poor adhesion and premature wear. Additionally, thick layers of stain are prone to peeling, cracking, and blistering as they struggle to bond with the surface.
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.
Deck replacement costs depend on materials, any structural damage you need to fix, and more. This guide explores how much it costs to replace or repair a deck.
The best time to stain a deck is when it’s dry but not too sunny. How often you restain a deck depends on climate and wood type, but every two to three years is normal.
