Get comfortable outside, and stay that way in a custom outdoor room by Archadeck of Central Maryland no matter what the weather

In recent years, the popularity of the “outdoor room” setting has soared. An outdoor room is defined as any outdoor space that can provide a relaxed setting reminiscent of the comforts found within most interior living or family rooms. Covered porches, screened porches, sunrooms, and 3 and 4 season rooms are great examples of sheltered outdoor rooms that extend living spaces and the hours of leisure at home.

What are the benefits of having a comfortable porch or outdoor room and why are they so hot in Central Maryland this season? The pros are endless if you plan well and design your outdoor space to function effortlessly day or night for the way you want to live in outside. For homes in Howard County, Montgomery County and the surrounding areas, outdoor rooms are the perfect solution to enjoy your backyard during rain and inclement weather (of which we have certainly had our fair share of this season), for escaping the humidity and heat and of course nuisance insects of summer, like the mosquito.

Eze Breeze porch enclosure in Potomac, MD, by Archadeck of Central Maryland.

Hectic schedules, rushing around for work and looking after our families, make the additional escape provided by an outdoor room very appealing. With so many covered space options, Archadeck of Central Maryland invites you to explore the benefits of each of these wonderful outdoor structures in order to help you gain better knowledge of which space would best suit your family’s backyard needs.

• 

  With round columns and a beautifully detailed ceiling design this covered porch has it all

  The Covered Porch – Also referred to as “open porches” because they are protected from sun and unpredictable summer rainstorms, the covered porch offers the benefit of circulating fresh air with the bonus of a roof that provides shelter from the elements.

• The Screened Porch – Giving you all the benefits of a covered porch plus one additional big benefit…protection from bugs! Keeping insects such as mosquitoes out of your outdoor living space is a huge benefit of having a screened porch. Keeping the bugs at bay will enable you to enjoy your porch late into the night without worry of being outside at the same time as mosquitoes.

• 

  Three season room with cedar ceiling and slate floor.

  The Three-season room – Beefier than your average screened in porch or enclosed deck, a three season room addition is a good option for homeowners who want to enjoy outdoor living in style but don’t need the living space available all year long. For the windows, we use single-pane glass windows or the Eze-Breeze porch enclosure system (the best of both worlds, screen when you want it, or a more enclosed “windowed” room when you want it too) for unfettered use of the space in spring, summer and fall.

• The Sunroom – Sometimes referred to as four season room, all-season or year round room, this option is integrated into the construction of your home, existing roof line and exterior. For ultimate climate control, we install insulated glass windows and insulation in the roof, floors and walls, for use of the room year-round.

Four Season Room Interior in Silver Spring, MD.

No matter which type of covered structure you choose, an outdoor room will maximize the time that you are able to enjoy the space as well as provide added comfort and protection while outdoors. There is no end to the amount of style, versatility and comfort a new outdoor room by Archadeck of Central Maryland can add to your home.

We specialize in custom designed and built decks, patios, sunrooms, pergolas, 3 & 4 season rooms and outdoor living combinations throughout Howard, Montgomery and surrounding counties. Our professional and talented staff members are experts at helping homeowners, like you, get the most out of each season with an outdoor structure custom designed and built for your enjoyment. Contact us today to learn more by calling (301) 926 – 3001 or via email at centralmaryland@archadeck.net.

You may also visit our Porches of Central MD page located on our website for more ideas.

How soon do you want to begin enjoying your new Central MD outdoor living space?

When you first begin planning your outdoor living space, you consider so many elements: the type of structure or combination of structures you desire, function, location and the preferred materials you wish to use. All of these are  important factors, but one of the biggest is often overlooked…how soon do you want to begin enjoying your outdoor living space addition? During our initial conversations with homeowners, they often ask us when is the best time to get their outdoor living space project underway. In all honesty, the best time to have your custom designed outdoor living area built, is right now, no matter what time of year “right now” may be.

There are construction benefits for every season, but here are just a few of the reasons you should get your project started now:

Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy your outdorr space now rather than later?

• Shorter wait times – Summer is our busiest time of the year, and spring has just sprung, now is the perfect time to build! Obtaining required permits and HOA approvals will take less time as well. Making the decision to build now will ensure you enjoyment all the benefits of your new structure sooner and in plenty of time for warm weather. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spacious deck or fabulous new outdoor room addition to take advantage of sooner rather than later?

• More time to properly seal your wood structure – A structure built from wood needs to cure for a period of time before the sealer will properly adhere to the wood and promote beneficial protection qualities. By choosing to build during the least humid time of year, your wooden structure will have ample time to cure in preparation to accept the sealer you choose.

• Greater value for your budget dollar – Once your structure is complete, you’ll want to furnish and decorate it to your liking. The outdoor living season is just beginning with a bounty of deals on outdoor living accoutrements. These savings will allow you to splurge a little on some of the higher end must have items like outdoor sound systems, a flat screen TV for your porch and much more!

The versatility of a new outdoor living area is exhilarating! We can honestly say, upon the completion of a new outdoor living space we have never had a homeowner say, “I wish we had waited.” On the other hand, we almost always hear, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?!”

Now, with all these benefits in mind, what are you waiting for? Archadeck of Central Maryland can custom design and build your structure in time to take advantage of the full glory of the outdoor living season. Don’t wait any longer! Our professional and talented staff are experts at helping homeowners, like you, get the most out of every season. Contact us today to learn more at (301) 926 – 3001 or email at centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net.

 

Archadeck of Central Maryland explores the versatility and freedom of a convertible porch

Is a convertible right for you?

What is the first image that comes to mind when you hear the word convertible? For many, it may take you back to a time in your youth cruising in a drop-top under a clear blue sky when you hadn’t a care in the world, or the enchanting pitter patter of rain on the ragtop as you stole that goodnight kiss in the front seat of your 69′ Mustang.  No matter where your imagination takes you, the convertible is synonymous with versatility and freedom. Versatility is always a driving force when making selections or purchases geared toward enhancing enjoyment. Such is the case when buying a car, building or purchasing a home and even adding an outdoor living space. One of the best ways to expand your outdoor living enjoyment is with the addition of a convertible porch, sometimes referred to as a three season room or porch.

You can extend the function and versatility of your new or existing screened porch by converting it into a 3-season room through the use of a convertible panel system, such as an Eze-Breeze porch enclosure system from PGT Industries. These systems can be integrated into the initial design of a new porch addition, or as an enhancement/upgrade for an existing porch.

Eze Breeze porch enclosure in Potomac, MD, by Archadeck of Central Maryland and Montgomery County.

Eze-Breeze porch enclosure systems are versatile, attractive, strong and easy to operate. The panels are made using 10-mil vinyl glazing. This type of construction gives the benefit and transparency of glass without the cost or the weight. The panels are also less susceptible to cracking or breaking. Unlike traditional windows, they don’t require a traditional window frame. The window panels are custom-sized to fit your existing openings without re-framing, which is a cost saving alternative to a traditional screened porch to sunroom conversion. In addition the vertical 4-track unit  gives you the capability of opening the windows up to 75% of the window area, which is well over the 50% offered by traditional glass products. This feature allows you to maintain the features and view you love about your screened porch by simply opening the windows when you like. If accidentally pushed or distorted, (like those accidental “pop flies” that may occur during a backyard baseball game), the tough 10-mil vinyl will return to its original shape within minutes — no worries.

Eze-Breeze is strong and durable.

Our convertible porches are designed to make your screened porches more utilized places. We offer custom made-to-order components allow you to have fun designing an outdoor space that’s just right for you. You can use them to replace existing screen enclosures or if you’re adding a new one. These porch enclosure systems deliver the best of both worlds, screen when you want it, or a more enclosed “windowed” room when you want it too!

One of Archadeck of Central Maryland and Montgomery County’s most recent convertible porch projects took place in Potomac. In this circumstance, we added a three-season room using Eze-Breeze over an existing slate patio. The completed project exemplifies freedom and versatility, take a look…

As you can clearly see from the images showing the room’s interior, the space delivers a multi-functional outdoor room for all seasons. By simply clicking the panels in, or out, of a fixed position on their effortless four-track you can let Mother Nature in, or keep Old Man Winter out! The choice is yours!

The benefits and freedom a convertible porch can bring to your outdoor living environment are endless. Contact Archadeck of Central Maryland and Montgomery County today about this wonderful product and learn more about transforming your screened porch into a room for all seasons! You may contact us by phone at (301) 926 – 3001 or via email at centralmaryland@archadeck.net

New Year’s Resolutions – Home Improvement and Enjoying the Outdoors

Do you have a home improvement project on your New Year’s Resolution list? Maybe it’s the project that your spouse has been hinting for you to look into and start for the past few years… a deck that has been weathered and worn down after decades of use. A patio or hardscape area that needs to be expanded. Or perhaps you never get the chance to even enjoy the outdoors and your own yard, so you’re resolving to make 2013 the year in which you truly enjoy the nature and beauty of your own property?

According to USA.gov, these are the most popular New Year’s Resolutions.  Many involve improving health, such as getting fit and running more regularly.

Credit: Hryckowian on Flickr

Not surprisingly, there are also many popular resolutions revolving around enjoyment of life and luxuries, such as going on a trip or saving money toward other goals.

Many people start off the new year with good intentions to keep their resolutions, but according to a recent Forbes article, only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s goals. If you are in the majority, and have trouble sticking to your New Year’s Resolutions, here are 6 tips to keep you on task:

1. Write it down. Physically writing down your  resolutions or goals on paper, makes it more real. Commit your goals to writing can make you 33% more successful, according to a study by Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University of California.
2. Get accountability. Ask a friend or family member to keep you accountable. Ask them to regularly call or e-mail to find out your progress on meeting your goals and sticking to your resolutions.
3. Save up. If you haven’t budgeted for the project, start examining your finances and options as well as setting aside additional money each month.
4. Set a timeline. Place dates and mark up your calendar or planner so you know when you to begin. For your home project you’ll need to allot time towards research, interviewing contractors and beginning the design process.
5. Do your research. If your resolution is to finally tackle a big home improvement project, make sure you take the time to thoroughly research the company/contractor you hire. For your own protection, you’ll want to make sure they hold the proper contractor’s license. In Maryland you can check the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation website to search for contractor licenses here. You’ll also want to make sure the company is insured and verify their warranty protection.
6. Stick to it. Don’t give up! If you start to lose steam toward meeting your timeline or accomplishing your goals, you can place a picture of your dream house project on your fridge or on your desk at work. Visualize your goals. Be realistic, but also work hard to achieve your goals and be a part of the 8%.

Take these simple steps to get your project on track and complete your New Year’s Resolution home improvement project before another New Year’s Eve transpires.

If you’re thinking about building a new deck, 3- or 4-season room, sun room, screened porch, patio, trellis, pergola, arbor or fire pit at your home in Montgomery County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County or Prince Georges County MD, give us a call to discuss ideas. We’d love to help you with your next home renovation and help you check that off your New Year’s Resolution list! Our design consultation is free. Give us a call at 301-926-3001 or email us to schedule yours today.

Every Good Party… Ends up Outdoors!

Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy and Martha Stewart Living

It used to be said that every good party ends up in the kitchen. Nowadays, the best parties always end up outside. Nothing is more relaxing than going out on that perfect summer night. With a cool breeze, a glass of wine, perfect lighting, comfortable outdoor furniture, and engaging conversation, you just might have the party everyone remembers all year.

Once the party is over, you have your own private getaway to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Everyone knows that after working all day and battling DC traffic, you need to unwind. Leaving the televisions, iPads, iPhones, and all other distractions inside, come outside to relax by yourself, or surprise your spouse by just having a conversation. Having the perfect patio, deck, or porch allows you to extend your home outside. It is like a room out in nature.

I can already hear people saying, “what about the bugs?”

With our screened in patios, you can enjoy the outside completed protected. Our customers have told us that one of their favorite times to enjoy their screen in porch is when a storm is coming in. Completely protected from the rain and able to sit back and listen is an experience that a night on the couch will never duplicate. For our deck and patio customers, we have other solutions from our sister company, Mosquito Squad, to make certain the bugs never ruin an evening.

Besides the bugs, another concern people have is wondering if they will ever use their new outdoor living area. Who wants to invest money into a patio and never use it? When an outdoor living area is designed specially for you, you will wonder how your ever lived without it. It becomes our customer’s favorite part of their home.

If creating your own private getaway sounds like something you would like to at least explore, have us come out and see what options are available to you. If you’re thinking about building a new deck, 3- or 4-season room, sun room, screened porch, patio, trellis, pergola, arbor or fire pit at your home in Montgomery County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County or Prince Georges County MD, give Archadeck of Central Maryland a call to discuss ideas. Our design consultation is free. You can call us at 301-926-3001 or email us to schedule yours today.

Front porch or portico, what is the difference and which one is best for you?

This front porch addition in Rockville, MD is a great example of the charismatic charm of a front porch

The front of your  house is such an important feature of your home. It’s an invitation. It’s a welcome. It’s a place to greet your guests and a dry to place to hug and say goodbye. But protection from elements is but a small piece of what a portico and porch can do. We explore the importance of choosing the right feature for your home’s front door. Home is where the heart is and it begins at your home’s entrance.

This stylish open front porch uses hardscapes and beautiful columns

Not so very long ago the front porch served as a refuge and a prime location for social interaction. I can remember hearing my grandparents talk about “courting” their suitors while sipping iced tea on the front porch swing. Porches over the years have taken on their own persona as not only serving as an outdoor room but there was a nice social aspect to front porches. Front porches used to be very popular, the southern Georgian home of yesteryear as seen in story books always had porches, as did the ranchers in the endearing stories of the era of the cowboy. Since the onset of air conditioning the front porch is now looked at in a different manner because people have  moved inside and left behind the lazy Sunday afternoons taking in the cool breeze on the porch. Front porches along with porticos aim to bring back that first impression charm. Deciding which structure is best for you depends on personal preference and simply what would harmonize structurally with your existing home. We are hear to give you the FYI on both structures, to make your selection effortless with no lingering regret.

Portico with decorative columns

A portico serves a functional purpose and is also aesthetically pleasing much like the front porch. It makes a dramatic difference to the look of your house and how it welcomes you and your guests. A porch serves a social purpose and provides your family with an outdoor living area, whereas a portico adds more formality to your home’s entrance. Porticos can have  decorative seating but are not intended to be used as living space. A portico is there to protect the front of the house and guests from weather and rain when entering your home. A portico can be built over an existing stoup. A Portico has a depth minimum is 5 ft  and if your existing stoup cannot facilitate a portico addition then the  stoup can be removed and expanded.

This Maryland front porch addition welcomes guest with open arms

In terms of which design would work best for you and your home, you have to first take your homes architecture into consideration. For example, square colonials can better benefit aesthetically from adding a portico to your home. Many colonial homes benefit from the addition of a colonial house arched portico addition.  Gabled porticos can also harmonize beautifully with your gabled roof ranch style home. We have a huge portfolio of portico designs to serve as inspiration when considering the addition of a portico to the front of your residence.

This front porch in Rockville, MD makes afternoons linger a bit longer, and living a little easier

A porch can do all of what a portico can plus give you valuable outdoor living space. Porches serve a social purpose and provides your family with an outdoor living area. They can also provides a covered pathway from your driveway to the front door by adding stairs to the side of the porch. Whether or not a front porch is the best choice for your individual needs depends on your homes architecture and if you are looking for function as well as form. There are certain structural criteria that need to be met in order for a front porch to work for you. On a full front porch, the roof style is a little more restrictive than with a portico. You need to use a shed or very wide hip roof to soften the design you can add an accent gable to bring the focal point to your front door. When considering using your front porch addition to accommodate seating, it must be at least 8 feet deep, any less would make the area to tight for outdoor seating or proper traffic flow.

This design and architecture of this Rockville, MD home lends itself perfectly to a front porch

When you explore the ways in which front porches and porticos can be finished, there is a wide variety of styles and materials to choose from. On front porch flooring we often use  PVC tongue and groove.  Many times running standard decking parallel to house looks less formal and it is usually better to use composite or PVC. Even though with both porches and porticos we can paint any material, often people want more of a painted look and PVC already looks that way. Front porch ceilings are most often flat and not cathedral, whereas a portico many times can facilitate a cathedral ceiling. Since front porches are often used for outdoor living space you want to make sure to have proper outdoor lighting and ceiling fans so you can enjoy the area in comfort. With both front porches and porticos it is important to select columns to match the period, style and architecture of the house in most cases the columns can have capital and base trim.

Interior view of this new Rockville, MD portico by Archadeck of Maryland

Homeowners also opt to put railings on their front porch even though many times it is not required by code. Railings give the area more of a room feel when used. Last but not least, on front porches we generally use lattice skirting to finish out the area if it is a few steps above the ground. If the elevation is only one step we will use solid board skirting. Both lattice skirting and solid board skirting gives the porch a finished look  and makes the design cohesive. Our most popular color for skirting is white because it looks more formal which fits the goal of adding curb appeal.

No matter which style of entrance you choose to welcome friends and family into your home, Archadeck of Central Maryland  and Archadeck of Montgomery County can plan, design and build a portico or front porch that will make you the envy of the neighborhood. Contact Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County today to learn more. (301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net

To see more stylish front porch additions and portico designs, visit our front porches and portico gallery located on our website.

A Chevy Chase MD deck and open porch by Archadeck of Maryland

Our 3-dimensional design rendering shows the open porch design and how it flows from the deck to the homes interior with ease

Maybe you can relate to this scenario…  You move from your existing home into a home that offers more of what you need and want out of a house. The basis  for your move may be a bigger home, a better address, a shorter commute to work or possibly all of the above. Once you get settled into your new location and it begins to feel like home you realize that the outdoor structure that you had at your previous home has been much more sorely missed than you would’ve ever imagined. Even though your interior living space exceeds your expectations, when you reminisce about the old deck and porch you left behind you find yourself humming the tune of the Michael Bolton song, ” how am I supposed to live without you”?

This image shows the Chevy Chase, MD outdoor living areas in their entirety

This is exactly what happened to these Chevy Chase, MD homeowners upon their recent move. They really enjoyed spending time outdoors and they found themselves in a most unfortunate circumstance; their wonderful new home had no outdoor living space at all. Their old home had a nice deck that they used frequently and they contacted us to get the ball rolling to design an outdoor space for them to help quench their thirst for outdoor living.

This detailed drawing shows the back elevation of the structure and how it harmonizes with the architecture of the home

We set out to design an elegant and formal looking space for them that would incorporate a roomy new deck and open porch. The couple’s existing home is a two-story with a  basement that grades up from one side to the other. Our challenge was to overcome the slope of the space as well as incorporate a large tree that the outdoor structures needed to harmonize with. Our solution was to concentrate our design on the homes rectilinear design to create a space that compliments the home, offers a comforting flow to and from the home’s interior spaces and lends itself to future projects in the back yard.

Close up design rendering showing the flow and function of this Chevy Chase, MD deck and porch by Archadeck of Maryland

We are constructing a deck which also includes a large rectangular open porch which matches the architecture of the house. The area will tie together with a hip roof on an open porch. The open porch is six plus feet above the grade of the lot so they will enjoy insect control because of the elevation. The french doors that are being installed off the home’s dining room will spill out onto the porch and will also provide access to the family room addition which was added to the home a few years ago. We are flanking either side of the doors which will serve as eating and seating areas. From one side of the open porch the homeowner will have close proximity to the interior kitchen. We also designed the deck to include the family barbecue area in close proximity to the kitchen area for ease and convenience when entertaining or dining outdoors. Since one of the homeowner’s wishes is to focus on the elegance within the outdoor space, the columns will be trimmed to blend the front exterior of the home and will make the design refined, tight and cohesive.

Design rendering prepared for Chevy Chase, MD porch and deck by Archadeck of Maryland

The stunning deck is designed to allow for future projects in the backyard as the homeowners see fit. On the deck and open porch we are using Guardian Prestige in weather wood with Shoreline railings. The entire project was carved like a diamond out of the rough for these Chevy Chase, MD homeowners. Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County was able to overcome the designing obstacles with ease and perfection. The homeowners are eager to enjoy their completed deck and open porch for many years to come.

Contact Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County to find out how to create an outdoor oasis in your own backyard. We provide quality outdoor structures that will not only add value to your home, but enrich your life as well. (301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net

See more deck and open porch designs by Visiting our Deck galleries and porch galleries located on our website.

Fill ‘er up with a new deck this year. What does the price of gas have to do with your new deck?

This deck by Archadeck of Central Maryland is constructed from AZEK, a composite decking material that looks lovely against the backdrop of autumn leaves.

You can probably feel the sting in your wallet every time you visit the pump to fill up. With the ever-increasing price of gas, many aspects within our economy can be affected. Gasoline is derived from crude oil, which is a commodity, and like many other commodities when demand is on the rise, the price goes up. Everything from hand lotion, to dish washing detergents and even frozen foods are made using derivatives of crude oil in one form or another, and when the demand from crude oil rises, so do the prices we pay for these everyday items.

This composite deck with pergola by Archadeck of Maryland, is just one example of the many outdoor structures we can have ready for you by spring.

One aspect that is affected by the rising price of crude oil, is composite decking materials. One major component that goes into creating composite decking is plastic and plastic is a bi-product of refining crude oil . The plastic is costing the composite manufacturers more so the composite prices will increase. Throughout the year the trend in rising crude oil prices fluctuates and intermittent pricing of materials that are derived from crude oil will be affected, however through past price hikes we have seen a trend in crude oil prices experiencing a brisk rise during the month of December in recent years. There is always an increase in composite deck materials which occurs twice a year. The increases are generally seen in December and during the mid-summer months.  This means that deciding to go ahead and build that deck or outdoor structure you have had on hold now may save you quite a bit of green in the long run. Aside from the avoidance of rising composite prices, there are many other reasons why building your outdoor structure now, rather than later can benefit you greatly.

An outdoor oasis by Archadeck of Maryland

Not only will you avoid the long lines and waiting periods that usually accompany Spring construction, your structure will actually be ready for you and your family to use and enjoy in the Spring. You can enjoy the first blooms of spring from your deck or outdoor structure instead of saying, ” I wish we already had our outdoor structure up and running”. There are also  fewer winter weather delays now than in the months of January and February. The cooler weather conditions also means the crews can work longer hours because of the absence of the summer heat which can sometimes create a longer than expected building deadline to occur if weather conditions are too hot and require more hydration breaks for the workers.

GuardDeck Guardian Elite composite decking by Archadeck of Maryland

Another key aspect of choosing to build now is there is less damage caused to your turf and landscaping when materials and construction crews are upon it. Most plants and turf are dormant during the late fall and winter months which helps protect them from damage that may occur from construction, as well as cooler temperatures creating a firmer ground to work on with less risk of turf damage.  Archadeck of Montgomery County  also encourages homeowners to consider building now because of the savings that can be accrued by just the concrete aspect of your outdoor structure.  During the cooler months concrete is being poured below the frost line which means you can use cold water concrete and this can be poured down into the lower single digit temperatures, and financially this comes out to a great deal for the homeowner.

This deck by Archadeck shows the beauty that can be yours with a composite deck.

If you are yearning and dreaming of a new deck, patio or other outdoor structure choosing to build now can mean a big difference in the savings, and in having your structure sooner than you could’ve imagined by avoiding the spring backlogs. Even choosing to wait until April or May to begin construction could put you into mid-summer having your structure completed. Right now Archadeck of Montgomery County is offering up to $2,500 off your project if you sign up before the end of 2011. Our offer gives you 10% off with a cap of $2,500, contact us for details.

Don’t wait any longer, wouldn’t the perfect outdoor structure be the perfect holiday gift for yourself and your family? Contact us today to get in on the savings, from the gas pump to your backyard. (301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net

For more beautiful composite and PVC deck designs, visit our composite and PVC deck photo gallery on our website.

Would you trust your dreams to a cut-rate builder?

Archadeck of Central Maryland and Archadeck of Montgomery County offer homeowners peace of mind that their dreams will become a reality.

Imagine dreaming, planning and saving to build your outdoor structure. Imagine hiring what you think is a reputable builder to bring your dream patio, screened porch or deck to fruition, only to have the builder walk off the job with your structure half completed, never to return. Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming more and more common among the building industry. Now more than ever it is important for consumers to learn the true meaning of what it means when a builder is licensed and insured, which safeguards the homeowner from having this type of travesty from happening to you.

Octagonal IPE deck and custom-built screen porch in Rockville MD

I recently had a call from Bel Air, MD where a homeowner had a contractor start a deck for her over a year ago. The contractor was a reputable builder that had been in business in her market for many years. The contractor then went “belly up” as a result of the recession. The builder had references and a good reputation, and the homeowner felt the builder she had hired did good work until her deck was halfway completed and the builder went out of business. The homeowner then had no protection because the builder’s insurance did not cover guaranteeing her deck would get 100% finished. Archadeck of  Central Maryland went in and picked up the pieces and finished the homeowners deck to her complete satisfaction. Had she went with a company such as Archadeck from the beginning, this ordeal would have never happened because we are licensed and insured with Archadeck’s own National Guarantee Corporation which gives the homeowner a performance guarantee with no additional cost to homeowner. The frequency of these occurrences and  scope of the problem is being felt nationwide according to national statistics.

Mahogany deck Bethesda Maryland

According to recent data the 18 month recession which began in 2007 and formally ended in 2009 represents the longest economic downturn America has experienced since World War II. The NBEA, ( National Bureau of Economic Analysis)  has noted that the economic recovery actually began in 2009, and they also noted that as of yet the economy has not returned to normal capacity. Among the hardest hit during this economic downturn are the contractors that make their living in various trades of building. From commercial to residential  building, contractors are competing for less work and their failure rates are rising sharply. Some of the hardest hit are the “fly by night”, unlicensed and uninsured contractors. All over the country the failure rates for contractors that are not adequately licensed, permitted or insured are extremely high. The failure rate is impacting the entire genre of building as a whole. From bankruptcies and foreclosures, the wave of failure rates can be felt all the way down to the consumer, leaving unfinished structures and shattered dreams in their path.

This two-story screened porch by Archadeck of Central Maryland and Montgomery County is an example of our excellence in design, quality with guarantees to match.

This cannot happen when you choose to hire Archadeck of Central Maryland and  Archadeck of Montgomery County  to build your structure. We not only enjoy the benefit of being part of a national company that’s nearly 25 years old. But, we have an unprecedented guarantee in the business. We GUARANTEE that your project will be finished. Even if the unforeseen were to happen like  someone in the family falls ill or I get stuck in Saskatchewan and can’t get back, someone else will step in from Archadeck and finish your job. We know that things happen. We’ve seen it happen everywhere in this recession. But you can have the most peace of mind with Archadeck. We are a fully funded corporation, guaranteed – I have been the chairman of the board for two of my last six years on the board and I am still board member. Not one single customer has been left holding the bag in the six years that we’ve had the corporation.

We offer protection for homeowners that no other contractor can provide and ensures project completion. Our guarantee  also includes a two-year structural guarantee and a one year workmanship and material guarantee. This is why we call our warranties a “performance guarantee”. We also have million dollar liability protection and all of our worker’s are covered by workman’s compensation which means that if a worker gets hurt while working on your structure, you are not held liable for any injuries or medical bills that may incur from an accident or injury.

If you are ready to turn that dream of an outdoor structure into a reality in your own backyard by a builder that will stick by you through thick and thin and see that your outdoor structure comes to completion in all it’s glory, contact Archadeck of Central Maryland or Archadeck of Montgomery County today to learn more.

(301) 926 – 3001
centralmaryland@archadeck.net or montgomeryco@archadeck.net