
Core Outdoor Living
About us
For 24 years, we have designed & built the finest decks, porches, and patios in Northern VA. Our proven process delivers projects on-time, on-budget, and above expectations. We offer the latest in high-quality materials and design techniques. We encourage you to visit our website where you can learn more about our friendly team and see photos of our work. Thank you.
Business highlights
Services we offer
& Natural Stone. Fireplaces & Fire Pits., & Pavilions. Retaining Walls. Pavers, Decks, Gazebos, Hardscaping, Patios, Pergolas, Porches
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
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Core Outdoor Living was wonderful from the very first message. Their professionalism and active communications they provided throughout the whole project is what set them apart from the others.
From the first meeting with Daren to do a site survey and design the layout of the deck. I provided him with the vision I was hoping to achieve with the completion of the deck. He listened and was able to design exactly what we were looking to install. In the proposal Daren was very thorough in explaining all the different options available (example: wood vs. composite).
The project manager Sereina was helpful along the way in ensuring that Miss Utility was called, building permit requests were filed, HOA paperwork was filled out and sent to me for forwarding for approval. They addressed every requirement necessary to ensure that the HOA would approve my application. Laura was very helpful when Sereina was unavailable to answer questions or concerns.
During the actual installation I couldn't ask for a better team leader, Quinton was very thorough in keeping us up-to-date on the progress of the construction and inspections.
I can't say enough about the entire Core Outdoor Living team, their professionalism and communications throughout the entire project from the very beginning was spot on. They truly understand customer service.
Thank you!
Barbara Hanson
"Thank you for mentioning that we truly listen to our clients to learn what works best for each person. This discovery process, combined with our 24 years of experience, is how great design happens. Your deck is a testament to this principle: it's perfect for both your home and yard!"
We were very pleased with the final product and everyone comments about how great the deck looks. We would have no qualms about using them again.
"Your deck is both unique and gorgeous. We're very proud of how it turned out, and we appreciated the open communications throughout our process. The end result is a superb outdoor living space!"
"We work with many Homeowner's Associations, and yours was one of the most challenging. With a combination of tenacity and patience, we worked together to clear the hurdles and create a beautiful deck. We're thrilled to know you're happy!"
"Your project required a setback variance which is a process we've helped many clients navigate. With the right combination of tenacity and patience, you were able to enjoy your new screen porch in short order. We love hearing about envious neighbors!"
"Thank you for mentioning that we complete one project at a time. This operating model is a little more expensive but much preferred by clients. It enables us to complete projects more efficiently and with less risk of miscommunication. Your deck and patio are the perfect complement to your home and we wish you many happy years in your stunning backyard!"
"You had a solid vision from the start, and you were open to our ideas. That's how great design happens and the end result is stunning. Enjoy your backyard paradise!"
"Your feedback means so much to our team, and we appreciate you taking the time to submit a report. We very much enjoyed working with you, and it's fulfilling to know that your deck exceeded your expectations. We're here if you need anything!"
"Thank you for your report! Hopefully spring weather will arrive soon and let you fully enjoy your deck. We're here if you need anything."
"Thank you for your report. We love your unique design and it was wonderful working with you. Enjoy the deck!"
They demolished our existing wood deck, which was about 300 square feet, elevated, with a staircase of about 14 steps.
They built a new deck, approximately the same size.
Composite material
About 2/3 of the new deck was screened in, with a high quality screen door, strong screen material, a ceiling fan, and electrical wiring throughout.
The uncovered sections had accent lighting in the posts, and in the stairs.
Ben was the project leader on site. His communication with us was very good, and he was very clear about the ongoing status, and keeping us informed about next steps.
When we received the initial estimate, COL came out to meet with us, and they made some very good recommendations on design, which helped with both the visual aesthetics as well as helping to keep the price down.
There were other companies that were slightly cheaper, but COL really seemed to be the most qualified and professional. Screened in decks are just really expensive - no getting around that.
They finished the job just before New Years Eve, 2014. Total time on site was about 4 weeks. They seemed to make good progress every day that weather permitted.
The permit and HOA process went very smoothly with COL's help.
The final product looks really amazing.
Overall, I would strongly recommend COL to any neighbor looking to get a really nice deck built.
"Thank you for mentioning how important design is for both aesthetics and budget. Your porch/deck feels like a natural extension of your home, and we hope your family enjoys it for many years."
"We love multi-faceted and technically-challenging projects like yours. The key is upfront planning and agility along the way. We very much enjoyed working with you and appreciate your detailed report."
thoughtful (and honest) in talking about a possible design. Although we did get several estimates, from the first time we met Daren to discuss our project we knew we liked him the best. Before we even signed an agreement, he answered multiple questions (sorry Daren for all the emails/calls!) and came back multiple times to discuss the design. At one point, we even considered completely changing the side of the house where the patio would be built! Not only did Daren listen to our thoughts
about this consideration, he walked through pros/cons of how to design the entire project. On top of all this, we
wanted to have the project done by a specific date for an event we were planning at our home. Daren and the team at Core
understood this and worked with us throughout the project to make sure they met our target date. We learned this level
of effort wasn?t just to earn our business as the level of communication and willingness to discuss existed throughout the duration of the project. From day 1, the crew was very courteous and professional and let me just say Bob is a magician with stonework! They alerted me daily as to when they would be at the house and if an emergency came up, Gretchen or Laura would contact me
immediately to let me know. The job was started early and finished a before our target date. I really can?t say enough
great things Core, except for THANK YOU!!!
We have an amazing outdoor space that we could have never imagined!
"Our approach is to ask questions and listen carefully to your answers. Then we layout viable options and tradeoffs so you can make an informed decision. This results in superior, custom designs that benefit everyone. It was a great pleasure to work with you and we're thrilled that you're happy."
We had received several bids on different material and Core come in with the best Sq.Ft. costs, even beating out a wood decking only proposal. You need to decide in advance as to what you want in a project of this cost. Preplaning and material selection is critical to your satisfaction. If anyone has a problem with this firm, it has to be the individual owners problem. I have built additions, and patios at my other properties over the years, and I can say this with confidence--that this project has been the most enjoyable of all of them..
"You have a great eye for design, and it was fun working with you to find the best fit for your home and yard. The end result jumps off the page and we appreciate your creativity!"
"We enjoyed solving both the technical and time-frame challenges of your unique project. Your new deck is beautiful and we wish you many happy years with it."
deck and with Core Outdoor Living as our contractor. Core is a top-notch
contractor and totally professional in all regards. From the
planning/design/contract phase through project/operations management to
demolition of our old deck to construction of our replacement deck, Core?s
personnel at all levels performed exceptionally well, keeping us informed at
each step of the way and they completed the project in a timely manner.
At the outset, Daren provided several design ideas that we
happily incorporated, as we would never have thought of them on our own. He
prepared a detailed proposal that included precise descriptions of all
materials that would be used so there would be no confusion about the intended construction design, materials & finishes. Laura (Operations Manager) provided helpful answers to all of our questions, emailed us an abundant amount of supplemental information and kept us apprised regarding progress and scheduling matters on a daily basis. Aaron Core?s on-site Project Manager and his crew (Justin and Andrew) were dedicated, highly skilled professionals. They were incredibly meticulous and did a wonderful job in building our new deck.
Needless to say, we are delighted with Core Outdoor Living and we highly recommend them to anyone who is planning to build a new deck or undertake any other outdoor project.
A final thought, I started our search for a deck contractor
by requesting top level hypothetical quotes from two companies I found on
Angie?s List. I gave them a general description of the project and dimensions
of the deck I would be replacing. While pricing from the companies was close, I was very impressed with the thoroughness and level of detail provided by Core. So I decided to go with Core as they seemed to be the more serious, professional firm. I clearly made the right decision.
"We're so grateful for your comprehensive report. It was a great pleasure working with you from beginning to end. Enjoy the deck!"
I look forward to working with Core on the next phase of our project!
"We appreciate your report and look forward to working with you again on Phase 2. Your floor is both unique and gorgeous, and we've had several clients choose it based on photos of your deck. Thanks for taking the leap with us on this new product which is proving to be a winner."
We needed to delay the work (a pair of cardinals decided to nest on the old deck at a most inconvenient time). Core Outdoor agreed to a no-cost delay less than 72-hours before the scheduled start, then fit us back into their schedule at a time convenient to us.
Their on-site crew is polite, professional, and very hard working. We were amazed at their quality and speed. These people care about their product. I make furniture as a hobby, so recognize quality craftsmanship. Our deck was built like a fine cabinet.
Communication throughout the project was near-instantaneous. Cleanup was spotless, including vacuuming sawdust off our yard.
I will use Core Outdoor again. I strongly recommend them to others. You get what you pay for, and they are a best value provider.
"Thank you so much for the report. We deeply appreciate your feedback and have shared it with our entire team. Enjoy your new outdoor living space!"
On job day one, the foreman was available to us for any questions, and work commenced at unbelievable speed. At the end of each day, the crew cleaned up the work areas diligently. I was excited to come home every night just to see what they had done that day.
Our house is built on an incline. The screened porch is reached via the kitchen or outside stairs, and it's about seven feet above the ground. The original porch floor was wooden board that was shrinking and rotting. Core replaced that with Azek after re-leveling and reinforcing the floor joists. They also wrapped the existing roof posts in a permanent white vinyl that won't need maintenance. At our request, they did not replace the roof because we had reshingled it in recent years.
The "side deck" off the porch was a small metal stairway that was rusty. Core demolished that and replaced it with Azek decking and a lighted stairway. The decking was broadened about a foot and extended to the end of the house. Core also added gravel underneath for outdoor storage of bikes and other items.
The old brick patio was crumbling around the edges. Core removed that and a sandbox in order to expand the patio. They laid down a gravel bed for drainage and then laid the stone in an attractive random way. Then they build a sitting wall that really helps define the patio boundary. Because of the expanded patio area, some gutter drainage had to be routed differently, which they handled well.
The spiral stair was more of a challenge, because the stair company we were going to use fell on hard times and couldn't help us. Core did additional research and found a reliable company that made a beautiful stair for us. Core installed it as soon as it came in.
Despite the inclement weather in the early part of 2014, the project was still done on time. The end result is beautiful and contemporary. We enjoy using the new spaces, and they also look great from inside the house. If I had to do it all over again, I would do the same work with the same company. These are truly an impressive set of people.
"Your feedback means so much to our team. It was wonderful working with you and we hope you have countless great times out there!"
Licensing
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