For the past few years, I had been debating whether to build a patio, a standard deck, or go all-in with a roofed and screened-in setup. After a lot of back and forth, I decided on a deck that could eventually support a roof down the line. Once I started reaching out to contractors, I quickly realized how difficult it can be to find someone reliable. Some never followed up, others dropped off mid-conversation, and a few changed timelines after we had already talked through plans. It made the whole process more frustrating than it needed to be. One thing that stood out to me about Legacy Decks right away was their website. It's clean, professional, and full of photos from past projects. I'm not great at picturing how a finished project will look, so being able to see real examples helped a lot in narrowing down what I wanted. When I met Ian, things immediately felt different. He showed up on time for the estimate, was professional in how he presented himself, and took the time to explain options without any pressure. We talked through the pros and cons of adding a roof, and although I decided to skip that for now, we planned the build so it could be added later if I choose. He mainly installs Trex and mentioned he can usually get better pricing on it, but I preferred TimberTech based on the color options and how well they matched my home. He was completely fine with that and worked it into the plan without hesitation. He gave me a clear ballpark estimate and explained that a $1,000 deposit would lock in a March install date. He also pointed out that material costs typically increase at the start of the year, which lined up with what I had already heard. Another thing that made the process easier was that Legacy Decks handled the permit. A few other contractors expected me to deal with that myself, so having it taken care of was a big plus. As the project got closer, I checked in and Ian confirmed a late February to early March start. They showed up exactly when expected, and from start to finish, communication was consistent. The crew arrived on time each day, kept me updated, and did a great job keeping the work area clean and organized. During the build, Ian and Adam also pointed out that I had the option to go with wider stairs, 5 feet instead of the standard 4 feet. The only trade-off was losing about a foot of railing space, which could matter depending on furniture placement. In my case, I wasn't planning to put furniture near the stairs, so it wasn't an issue. They asked if I wanted to go that route, and I'm glad I did. It makes a noticeable difference. It's much easier getting things like furniture, grills, and coolers up onto the deck, and it gives the whole space a more open feel. The finished product speaks for itself. The deck looks fantastic, and the materials they used are clearly high quality. Instead of sonotube piers that other contractors proposed, Ian used helical piles, which are more robust and don't tear up the yard during installation. After looking into it beforehand, I felt that was the better long-term option. I also liked that they used decking boards for the skirting instead of lattice or vinyl. It gives the entire structure a more finished look and should hold up much better over time. The crew was friendly, respectful, and easy to deal with throughout the job. They took care of the property without being asked, which I really appreciated. All in all, Legacy Decks made what could have been a stressful project feel straightforward. Between the communication, attention to detail, and overall quality, I would absolutely recommend them. read more