The Deck Dude, LLC

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We love our new deck, it's exactly what we hoped for. His crew was polite and they all did a good job. He was easy to work with, helpful and kept us informed throughout the process. All in all a good experience!

Required half down, made promises but couldn't commit to a start date! He said he had "to take care of the people that already lost their patience, first". He didn't want a permit! After research with the state, he did not have a license under his personal name or business name!! I canceled my services with him and he agreed to refund my deposit! It has been weeks and weeks and my deposit is still not refunded!! He has every excuse in the book. Checks from other customers bounced, it's going to cause a hardship to his family.... on and on. I find it ironic that he isn't able to refund my money, yet is advertising all over Grand Rapids?! I have hired an attorney and Jonathan is on notice that he illegally converted funds for his own benefit and that is a crime!! DO NOT USE THIS GUY!! Complete scam! Takes customers money to live and when he gets enough(other customers) to cover the job you paid half down on, he might show up!!

EDIT - After the initial not-so-great experience, the deck dude came back and worked through all the quality issues. The bounciness has been fixed and the overall stability is much better. It was a really long process, so I will rate the overall experience as average. The deck dude followed through with his word, and does honor is work. I appreciated him following through and getting the issues resolved.
original:
Started out OK, but went south pretty fast (right after deposit). Never pay 1/2 deposit. After changing scope, he 'punished' me with price increase, and still couldn't commit to a date. Held deposit for 3 months before work began and would not give money back or allow me to cancel. Showed up, tore old deck apart, and left it like that for a couple of weeks. When work began, they showed up with boards that were too short, and I was blamed because of the drawing I sent had wrong measurements. Who does that? Using a customer drawing to base a wood order on without confirming measurements, etc? Doesn't check on his staff very well either (one worker told me he had a felony conviction during chit-chat about jobs, WTH?). The final product is just OK. I am not even sure the deck would pass an inspection, and I was told a permit was not needed which I am now questioning (hint: call township and don't trust someone's word). 1/2" gap at one railing at wall, and the railing is a bit flimsy. No posts anywhere along railing to make it more solid. Job site was left a total mess, staples and tags left in boards and scrap and cigarette butts everywhere. Also, the wood siding near the entry door was just placed up next to house instead of reattaching it. A lot of the deck boards were placed with the stamp face up, so now I need to sand all that off in order to stain or paint the deck. To say I am disappointed is an understatement

We bought our home over 15 years ago. It was a fixer-upper to say the least. With 3 small children we needed our spacious yard finished a.s.a.p. The deck dude turned our neglected dump into a safe beautiful area. They felled trees, secured a privacy fence, installed a rolling gate to the driveway and built a raised garden area. Now my youngest is leaving for college. The quality workmanship has lasted for their entire childhood. My raised garden now is home to my roses and we are looking forward to a summer wedding in the yard next year.

We had chose the deck dude for his lowest bid. We are lifelong customers for the quality of his work. Jon is not just a builder he is a craftsman.