Category Archives: Choosing a contractor

When is the cheapest time to build my new Kansas City porch or deck?

You’re probably not going to like the answer, but the cheapest time to build your new Kansas City porch or covered deck was 5 years ago.

It is not more expensive to build a Kansas City porch or deck because because our prices have gone up. It’s because material costs have gone up and will continue to go up since the economy is strong nationwide. Kansas City porch - screen porch designWhen times are good and the market will bear price increases, manufacturers and material suppliers take that opportunity to increase prices. We didn’t see these price increases back in 2008 and 2009 after the economy crashed but now we see them regularly and without any notice whatsoever.

We realize that the nature of planning and obtaining qualified, skilled firms to build outdoor projects and home improvements can be a long-term process. We know that a tremendous amount of thought and planning, as well as saving and budgeting, have gone on behind the scenes before homeowners contact us. We also know that when homeowners are ready to move forward with their project, they are anxious to start enjoying their new space as soon as possible. The challenge is that all the qualified and skilled firms are likely to be working months out into the future.

Here are some important timing factors to consider regarding when your new outdoor project will be completed and ready to enjoy

  • The design process takes time
  • The process of narrowing choices and selecting materials takes time
  • The process of permitting takes time
  • The shortage of skilled labor extends these timelines further
  • All reputable builders have a wait before starting projects – probably in direct correlation to how strong they are as a builder

Since there are a number of time-consuming factors involved and since materials price increases could always be looming, what’s the best thing to do?

Lenexa AZEK deck screen porch with TVThe best thing to do when you make your decision is to recognize the process and make the right choices for you since you will enjoy this space for many years in the future. Further, it’s important to understand that it’s worth the wait to ensure that you have numerous years of optimal enjoyment in your new space. It’s likely that most reputable builders have had calls from homeowners who went with the quickest option only to be disappointed and were then forced to look for another builder to fix that project that didn’t meet expectations.

Choose well, move forward instead of waiting and be patient enough to have the right project built by the right builder having made the best design and material decisions for how you want to live outside.

If you’re thinking about waiting to build your Kansas City porch or deck…

A Kansas City porch project that is tabled one year because it couldn’t be done on time may not be picked back up until the same time the following year causing the same issues as before. These homeowners always tell us they wish they would have completed the project the previous year so it would be ready at the very beginning of spring the next year.

It’s important to begin the conversation with a reputable KC deck builder and balance any wait time against your lifetime enjoyment of your new porch, deck or outdoor living space. Many memories will be made and shared in your new space over the many years you own your home.

Give us a call for a free consultation at (913) 851-3325 or drop us an email at kansascity@archadeck.net. Take a look at some of our top website photo galleries: outdoor fireplace photo gallery, screened porch photo gallery, deck photo gallery.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Also read: Is it cheaper to repair or replace a deck?

Why do I have to pay a deposit for my Kansas City porch or deck project?

We have been deck builders in Kansas City since 2001. A trusted name in custom decks and porches!

screen porch builder Leawood KSAlmost as soon as the ink is dry on your contract with Archadeck of Kansas City for your new porch, deck or sunroom, the work will begin on your project. Not the actual building, but all of the extensive preparation that has to take place before ground can be broken. Some of this work is an investment of our time and expertise, but some of it goes well beyond that.

What are some upfront costs for your outdoor project?

We would be remiss to not say that there are no set costs.  Your initial investment will be based on your location and the type of project you intend to build with us.  You can expect to invest about 20% of the total cost of your project ahead of building.  These fees are not to fund our business – our good standing with suppliers is what will allow us to build your project before you have paid in full.  You might expect a variety of costs ahead of your project.

Based upon site conditions, there could be a need for surveying.  This cost will be incurred by the client.  The project must also be insured.  And the days of building a deck without a permit are gone if you hire a reputable contractor.  Depending on your locale, permitting could be costly, but it is absolutely necessary for every Archadeck project.  After we complete the permit-ready plans for your outdoor living space, we submit them to the appropriate local government authority for approval, and the fee will be required upfront.  Additionally, any outdoor space, which has a roof must go through engineering.  This will require an additional investment.

Here is a short list of what might require an upfront investment for your project:

  1. Surveying, if required per site conditions
  2. Insurance for your project
  3. Permitting from your local government authority
  4. Engineering, if required per your project type

Some outdoor living amenities could cost a bit more upfront, as well.

If you are installing a Kansas City outdoor gas fireplace, for example, we may need to make arrangements to run a gas line. Or perhaps there are utilities in the way that need to be rerouted or an existing structure that must be demolished. Sometimes we have to pay subcontractors, dumpster operators or other agencies to help get the pre-work done so that the “real” work can commence.

Paying your deposit is a good faith agreement with Archadeck of Kansas City.  It solidifies our partnership with you in your outdoor living design-build journey.

It means that you have committed to build your project and we have committed our time and attention to you, securing your project on our building schedule.  As you may have seen during your research, reputable builders often plan their jobs several months in advance. This includes scheduling both their own crews and the work of trusted subcontractors. Having a deposit in hand is an important guarantee that they will be able to make good on their commitments to their partners when the time comes. A client deposit is the industry’s standard indicator that plans are finalized and building will take place.

Ready to discuss your new custom porch, deck, or sunroom with Archadeck of Kansas City?

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering adding a porch, deck, or any outdoor living structure, give us a ring. Our consultation is free. We can discuss options, provide design ideas and of course give you a price quote to consider. Give us a call or send us an email. (913) 851 – 3325 or kansascity@archadeck.net.

Must a deck contractor be a great communicator?

As strange as it sounds, a majority of the complaints about deck contractors aren’t really about the quality of the end product. They are the byproduct of poor communications. When the customer and the deck contractor aren’t on the same page, it can lead to all kinds of problems, both big and small. Here are six ways that Archadeck takes care to keep our customers happy from start to finish ensuring our customers get the right communication at the right time.

  1. Most deck contractors didn’t get into the business they are in because they have fabulous communication skills, so they might not realize how important those skills are. We prioritize talking to all our customers regularly and making sure that they have ample opportunities to ask questions. We make a point to be consistent over time with information that we have provided to our clients to avoid any potential confusion. We pride ourselves on being easy to find and easy to talk to.
  2. Beyond speaking frequently with the homeowner, we stay in regular contact with our crews and our subcontractors. That helps to minimize surprises between all parties involved. It also means that if you have a question for someone working on your job site, they should have the same answer as someone from our office.
  3. We take the time to discuss topics others might overlook, such as conditions on the job site. We want to hear about the oak tree that is special to you or that you have a cat and two dogs who might be visiting our work area (on purpose or not). We also want to keep you up to date on potential areas of danger that could change from day to day. You should know when we are going to dig post holes so that you can be extra aware to watch your step.
  4. Keeping costs in line with customer expectations is an important part of our communications plan. We work diligently to talk about choices up front during the design process so that there is clarity about the final price you will pay. You’ll have plenty of time in advance to select the features, choices, and options that are right for you. You will also know the payment schedule up front so that you can make the necessary financial arrangements from your end.
  5. Honesty has to play a central role in communications between contractor and customer. When you ask for help in making a choice between one feature or another on your Kansas City deck project, we’ll help you decipher the true value of various features so you can prioritize where you want to invest in different amenities or upgrades. Take a look at online reviews from our other Kansas City customers to see our superior record in educating our customers to help them get an end result that exceeded expectations.
  6. Communications don’t have to just take place by conversation. An experienced, reputable porch or deck contractor will make sure that you receive a detailed price for all work in advance. This may even include a list of potential unexpected contingencies that may affect the final price. The presence of termite damage is an excellent example. We’ll do as complete and thorough a site survey as possible, but also do our best to warn you of any potential problems we anticipate may crop up.

For trusted deck builders Kansas City, choose Archadeck. We have been designing and building decks throughout the Kansas City Metro since 2001.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering adding a custom deck, sunroom, or screened porch to your home, give us a ring. Our consultation is free. We can discuss options, provide design ideas and of course give you a price quote to consider. Give us a call or send us an email. (913) 851 – 3325 or kansascity@archadeck.net. For loads of great pictures, please visit our website at kansas-city.archadeck.com

Also read: Which roof style is best for your Kansas City porch?

Be very wary of a deck contractor who can start on your Kansas City porch or deck right away in the spring, summer, or even fall

Spring and summer are insanely busy for every reputable porch and deck contractor in the outdoor building trades. Our skilled tradesmen are working very long days and our project start dates are pushed out quite a way.

If you encounter a deck contractor in mid-May who says that he is available to start right away, be very wary. It’s the equivalent of talking to one of Santa’s elves on December 15 and having him say that things have been slow so he’s been getting a lot of reading done at the office. It’s a sufficiently unusual enough situation that it should set off warning bells in your head.

End your search for “deck builders Kansas City” with the experienced design-build team at Archadeck. We have been building custom decks, porches, and more since 2001.

Combination shed and gable roof Overland Park porch lrAny experienced, reputable, licensed contractor will be booked solid in the warmer months. If you talk to a contractor who is not, you should ask yourself why. A new contractor will not have had the time or opportunity to to build a reputation in the community. This makes it difficult to judge the quality of his work because there will be fewer past customers to consult for references and not many previous jobs sites to go visit. This might not ultimately be a deal breaker, but you will need to do additional due diligence about his skills and competency to assure yourself that he/she will do a professional job on your porch or deck.

A deck contractor with a poor reputation is another matter entirely. There is no amount of cost savings on a job that will make up for trusting your home and your money to someone who has done shoddy or incomplete work in the past.

If you contract with Archadeck of Kansas City in the spring or summer, we will have to put you on our waiting list before we can begin your project. At this time of year, we regularly receive 20x more phone calls each month than we do during the winter. We don’t want to make customers wait, but we have to. That’s the bad news. The good news is that I can give you as many references as you want. If you have the time and want to visit 20 of our past customers, you could. I can also send you to many review sites which each have many reviews attesting to the quality work and excellent service you will receive.

Once that you accept that you will probably have to wait before breaking ground on your new outdoor living space, you might want to get a jump on some of the planning that will improve the work that you and your reputable contractor will do together. First, think about how you want to use your new space. Identifying function goes a long way toward creating a quality design for any living space. Do you hate bugs? Love sun? Host large parties? Want a place for your cats to watch birds? Think about these kinds of activities and take notes.

It’s also important to think about your budget. There is no need to be bashful about talking about money. Building is our business and we have these conversations daily. Your budget will drive the scope and materials of your project, so it’s important to have an idea about it up front. You don’t need to know all of the cost details in advance, but you want to know enough to stay within a budget where you are comfortable.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering the addition of a deck, porch, other outdoor living structure to your Kansas City area home, don’t wait. Give us a call at (913) 851-3325 for a free consultation or email us at kansascity@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.

Building beyond the code. We build to last, not to pass.

kansas-city-porch-contractorBuilding codes specify the minimum requirements to adequately safeguard the health, safety and welfare of building occupants. All licensed contractors must meet these standards when they complete their jobs. Of course you want your new construction to meet these standards, the question is, do you want to exceed them?

Odds are, you do. Archadeck designs typically go beyond those minimum standards for a variety of reasons. The first is that we build for long-term durability. We want you to use and enjoy your Kansas City deck or porch for a very long time to come. Structures that are built to minimum code may sag or sink after only a few years. We upgrade the structural supports beyond the code by using stronger joists, support beams and bracing. We build to last, not to pass.

Building codes are not updated very frequently. Some of the materials and techniques that we use were unavailable even a few years ago. We don’t want our structures to sag, sink or settle so we keep up with industry developments that allow us to give you a stronger, more durable Kansas City porch, deck or patio. You may never see the waterproof flashing or structural bolts and fastenings, but they are working hard for you every day.

AZEK Morado deck TimberTech rail Shawnee KS lrYou don’t want to count and weigh in your guests before sending them outside. You probably don’t know what weight a deck designed to minimum code requirements will safely support, nor should you have to. Archadeck structures will hold more than the minimum so if an extra person or two arrives for dinner on the deck, your only worry will be if you bought enough food.

One more benefit of building beyond the code is that life isn’t built to code. Building codes are written to deal with most common and some uncommon situations, they rarely take into account the extremes. A huge tree fell on one of our porches a few years ago and the roof stayed intact. The tree only only took off a few shingles; no one was hurt. You can’t plan for every contingency, but knowing that all areas of your home are built to a higher safety standard allows you to sleep better at night.

Here is some feedback from a recent client:

From start to finish, Archadeck has proven they are the best in the business. The attention to detail the building team took exceeded our expectations. From removal of the existing structure to completion of the new deck the Archadeck crew are truly master carpenters. Even the wood selected by them to build the substructure is of the highest quality and will last many, many years.

Michael & Diane F.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

If you’re considering the addition of an outdoor fireplace – or a deck, porch, patio or other outdoor living structure – give us a call at (913) 851-3325 for a free consultation or email us at kansascity@archadeck.net. We look forward to your call.

The top 5 ways to make your new porch look original to your home

One of the first questions people ask when they’re considering adding a porch to their house is to what degree we can make it look original to their home. Nobody wants a new porch that looks “added on” or an addition that looks like a sore thumb. Here are the top 5 ways to make your new porch look original to your home.

Overland park screened porch ipe floor

Overland Park KS screened porch addition with challenging roof connection

Roof style –

Using the correct roof style to match or complement your home is one of the biggest factors in determining the degree to which your porch will look like it was built with your house. If you close your eyes and envision a typical porch, a rectangular (gable) roof or perhaps a flat roof may come to mind. But, one shape certainly does not fit all. There are many factors that help determine which roof is best for your new porch. One of these factors is matching or complimenting the other roof lines of your house. Your house may have a gable roof or a hip or shed roof. Likely your house has a couple different roof lines. But other factors come into play such as the placement of second story windows where you want to build your porch.

Other roof factors we consider when designing your porch roof are the pitch, soffits and overhang. All of these factors affect the look. We work to match or complement each of these elements.

Screened porch design Overland Park KS ArchadeckSize/shape/proportions

If the new porch is too big or too small or the proportions don’t fit to back yard and to house, it is going to look odd. Other factors include the size of your house, the size of your yard, and the relative proportions of the space available to work in and how the porch will be used. All of these factors come into play when we design the size, shape, and proportions of your new porch.

Color/texture/materials –

The aesthetic choices including the color, texture and materials will be a determining factor on whether the new porch looks like it was built with your house. This is especially true on the outside but also on the inside. Some of these factors include the trim materials, the types of paint/stain, and the look of trim compared to type of trim used on house.

Flow from the porch to the back yard

In certain yards, there is a distinct reason to put steps in one area vs. another. These reasons may include the proportion, size, or shape of steps. Other factors to how the porch steps transition to the yard include the angle of the steps and the connection to any primary destination in yard if there is one.

Landscape design –

Landscaping has a big impact on how things look when they’re finished. Adding landscaping around the porch that is complimentary to the existing landscape design will help in making the new porch look like part of the existing house.

As you can see, there really is no way for one solution to fit all situations. Every home is different and every homeowners has different wants and needs for their new porch. That’s why it’s important to work with a design and build company that listens to what you are looking for and designs a room to fit all of your needs including aesthetic, lifestyle, and more.

If you are considering adding a porch to your home, give us a call at (913) 851 – 3325 or send us an email at kansascity@archadeck.net. We look forward to hearing from you.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

The hazards of fine print in your porch or deck contract – top 3 things to watch for

You might not think this is the case but sometimes the longer the fine print, the less you’re getting. There can often be hidden costs to look out for in the specifications list, warranty, or other details found within your proposal or contract. Here are a couple of things to watch for. You want to be careful if the list of specifications or details about a component are too confusing/not written in a clear and straightforward manner, too vague, or stated verbally.

1) Confusing and/or not written in clear and straightforward manner

Beware if you receive contracts, estimates, addendums, specifications sheets or other documentation that is confusing or is not written in a way that is easily understandable and digestible. For example, if there are multiple options with associated prices within your contract, it may be difficult for you to designate what your selections are and which selections you are not choosing. In contrast to the next point, be wary if there is too much fine print or the documentation is confusing. This may be done intentionally to slip in hidden costs or specifications that are not in agreement with your expectations.

2) Too vague or purposefully vague

Think about all of the construction materials that it will require to build your new porch or deck or outdoor structure. Imagine those materials being delivered and sitting out in your back yard. Now imagine the options available with each of those materials. There are a number of different types of wood that can be used. There are a number of different screws that can be used. There are hundreds of options in construction materials that differ greatly. Has your contractor discussed these options with you? Now imagine that same set of building materials and imagine the number of different ways those can be assembled. In addition to materials, there are construction details that need to be specified.

Look for items in the specifications that are purposefully vague such as “48 feet of standard railing”. Even a railing has lots of facets including pickets, posts, and even screws. Insufficient explanations of choices and options may indicate the contractor is going to use the cheapest options to get the price down but this reflects on durability, upkeep, maintenance.

3) Stated verbally
Watch out for verbal promises that your new porch or deck will be “the same” as someone else’s, or the same as another picture. Beware if they continually lead you to focus on the size of the structure and not the hundreds of variables that are included.

You may feel that you are not qualified to read and understand all of the details or fine print in your construction contract and at first, the details may seem foreign to you. But, it’s your job to ask lots of detailed questions. Sit down with your contractor and the contract. Go through the contract and other details line-by-line. A reputable contractor with nothing to hide will gladly discuss each detail as well as other options that are available. This also creates an excellent opportunity to make any critical changes before the project begins.

In addition, do your due diligence. Research how these different methods and products perform and why they perform this way. If the contractor tries to pressure you to sign the contract before you’ve had time to do your due diligence, beware that there is likely a reason.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Give us a call to discuss your next backyard project whether it be a porch, sunroom, deck, pergola, or other outdoor living area. Call (913) 851 – 3325 or send us an email at kansascity@archadeck.net

Help! Where did my contractor go?

One of the biggest fears many people have about hiring a contractor is whether the contractor is going to hold true to their commitments. Will the contractor start the project on time? Will the contractor have unexplained absences? Will the contractor do what they said they were going to do? Will the contractor finish on time? You are right to have these concerns. Hiring a contractor for a custom project is, by its nature, untested since every project is different. There are so many factors that determine how long the project will take, if it will be built as promised, and if it will start and finish on time. As we’ve mentioned in past posts, reading as many reviews as possible is a great way to get a sense of the degree to which the contractor fulfills their commitments. Here is another recent post we did about selecting a contractor.

What is the gold standard for start date, continuous work flow and finish date?

Here is the simple answer to this question. The gold standard is that the contractor does what they say they’re going to do.

Contractors will have various factors that determine when they can start a project, how long a project will take and if they will work continuously after the beginning of the project.

Continuous work flow

Our standard is once we start a project, we will work continuously on that project until it’s complete. We will be there every day. You can count on it. The only thing that will keep us from being there is weather that prohibits us from building and if by some chance an item is back-ordered.

There are two primary factors that influence why some contractors do not deliver on a continuous work flow once your project begins. First, there are ethical factors and secondly there are organization factors.

A less than ethical contractor may make commitments to several homeowners for the same timeline. They may do this because they fear losing your business if they are honest with you about when they can start or finish your project. In order to juggle multiple jobs with the same timeline, this contractor may provide various excuses such as waiting for inspectors, sick staff, flat tire, broken-down vehicles, etc.

An disorganized contractor may not be able to hire and retain quality staff, maybe frequently because they don’t treat them ethically and legally.High quality skilled people like to work for a high-quality organized company. Many small businesses or contractors don’t have the the business experience or management skills to retain skilled staff. The disorganized contractor may not be skilled at planning project schedules. And, they may have a poor system for tracking materials or ordering on time causing them to run out of key materials necessary to achieve continuous work flow.

When we start your project at Archadeck of Kansas City, we guarantee that we are going to be there every day unless a product is back ordered or unless the weather absolutely prohibits us from building on that day.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Call us for a free consultation (913) 851 – 3325 or email kansascity@archadeck.net. We look forward to talking to you about your project.

Why the rebuilding in Japan means you should build your new porch or sunroom right now!

Overland Park KS Screened Porch with Treated Wood Floor and Knee Wall

Overland Park KS Screened Porch with Treated Wood Floor and Knee Wall

The devastating Tsunami in Japan seems so fresh in our minds but also so long ago. When we are hit with a major devastation, the feelings and emotions seem so fresh in our minds yet we know intellectually that these events happened much longer ago. I watched an episode of 60 Minutes a week ago that surprised me. Japan is not in the rebuilding stage but yet rather still in the cleanup stage. What this means is that soon raw building materials are going to be in tremendously high demand on the International market. What this means for us domestically is prices are getting ready to increase.

Thirty years ago, prices on raw materials such as wood were influenced by domestic demand. Now, the prices of raw materials in the States are widely determined by world demand. Many of us are staying in our homes because of the challenge in selling our homes right now at any sort of attractive price. We’re also vacationing less because we want our dollars to last longer than the span of a vacation. We want to invest those dollars into creating a relaxing or seemingly luxurious space at our own homes. What better way to do this than to build a porch or sunroom to both expand our home and enjoy a greater view of our yards and a better connection with the outdoors. Visibility to our yards and to more sun has a relaxing effect and our porches or sunrooms can give us the feeling of vacationing at home.

Kansas City Screened Porch with Screened Gable Roof and Sky Light

Kansas City Screened Porch with Screened Gable Roof and Sky Light

Prices of raw materials are getting ready to go up. I always tell my prospective customers who are thinking about building in the Fall or Winter that it might be one of the best times to build because of impending first-of-the-year price increases. The material manufacturers not only commonly increase prices at the first of a new year but some get a jump on the annual price increase by raising prices at the end of the year. Where do the rebuilding efforts in Japan come into this equation? Many of us suspect that the effects of the increased demand on raw materials from Japan’s rebuilding have already been felt. Instead, Japan is nearing the end of their cleanup and is forecasted to have a surge in demand at the beginning of 2012 at which time raw material prices may likely increase.

Now is the best time to build your new porch, sunroom or room addition.

In addition to material prices, there are a few other reasons why now is the best time to build your new porch or sunroom.

Least amount of landscape damage

When you are building a backyard structure, there can be literally hundreds of trips from your backyard to front yard. If we are demolishing your old deck or structure or replacing parts of it, the materials need to be carried out of your yard by a person. In addition, the material is carried through your yard with many trips from front to back. The best time for lots of traffic across your yard is when the grass and plants are dormant and the ground is harder. It’s easier for the lawn to recover.

Large Gable Roof Sunroom with Attached Deck in Lee's Summit MO

Large Gable Roof Sunroom with Attached Deck in Lee’s Summit MO

Easier for the carpenters

We all have this scene in our minds. Carpenters sitting on a hot roof or in a chair drinking a Gatorade and wiping sweat of their face This is not for being lazy. The heat of summer not only necessitates more hydration breaks but it also slows the carpenters down.

Much shorter waiting list

We all know the best people are busy. When we’ve heard about a great new doctor or landscaper, we expect to be put on a waiting list and we’re ok with that. We expect a waiting list from the best. In the Spring, any reputable contractor is going to have a substantial waiting list. If you call in April, it may be highly likely that your project cannot be started until early summer. As a matter of fact, if you call a contractor in the Spring and they can start right away – buyer beware. In the Fall and Winter, reputable contractors will still likely have a waiting list but it will be substantially shorter.

Ability to control your schedule

Now comes the frustrating part of building in the Spring. You’ve signed up to have your project built and you anxiously wait to hear when the contractor can start only to find that’s the week you will be on vacation or the couple of weeks when you are going to have loads of people in your back yard and cannot have builders around during that time. Similarly to the point above, shorter waiting lists mean a better ability to control having the building done at a time makes the most sense for you.

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

Bonnie and Dan Hall, Archadeck of Kansas City Owners

When you call for a free consultation, we can help you determine what makes the best sense for you. The disruption on your lives and back yard will be much less. And, you’re likely to pay significantly less.

Call us now for your free consultation at (913) 851 – 3325 or email us at kansascity@archadeck.net.

To see more examples of our work, check out or photo galleries.

Kansas City sunrooms photo gallery

Kansas City 3-season and 4-season image gallery

Kansas City screen porch picture gallery

Should you believe everything you hear?

Steve Folsom of Archadeck of Kansas City

Steve Folsom of Archadeck of Kansas City

You’ve probably heard the old saying ” believe half of what you see and none of what you hear”. These words may ring true today more than ever. With the internet, smart phones and all the advanced technology of today we are all receiving information on the “best this” and “worst that”. In this world of information overload, how do you know what information you find online is trustworthy and what information is not?

Whether you’re looking for a contractor or a consumer product, one rule of thumb is a company whose brand name means something in the offline world will most certainly have the same standards in their online world or their online presence. Two referral sources do stand out a little when looking for integrity and reliability when choosing a contractor or even a maid to clean your home. These two forces are the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and Angie’s List.

kansascity_ceilings-071

Beautiful quality and craftsmanship in every inch of this porch ceiling by Archadeck of Kansas City

Both the BBB and Angie’s list strive to provide reliable information from a recognized brand that represents integrity. Both sites give us the ability to research in earnest and unbiased terms the quality of work and service of a prospective company. These two companies work in much the same manner by using information provided by the consumer to allow prospective clients to make informed decisions through the feedback and grading systems of each to find the best company or business to suit their needs.

Deck builder kansas city

Ipe deck in Lenexa, KS

Let’s say for example you are looking for a painter to paint your home. Angie’s list is set up to be consumer friendly. For a nominal yearly fee, you as a consumer would have access to all the painters in your area that are on Angie’s list. A business cannot pay to be on Angie’s list. Businesses register on the list for free and consumer’s submit reports and reviews of their experiences with each business. This method gives the consumer a “hands-on”  experience summary of  other consumers which have dealt with that  business. This information can help you decide based on what you learn about the business you are considering on Angie’s list. The  list reports the honest truth based on what consumers have to say.

Unique Fan-Shaped Pergola

Unique Fan-Shaped Pergola by Archadeck of Kansas City

The BBB also uses positive and negative feedback from consumers to grade each company. Currently businesses are graded using an A+ through an F letter grade, which replaces their previous satisfactory or unsatisfactory ratings system. BBB accreditation is an honor earned by businesses and charities. They use a formula of 8 principles that summarize elements to create and maintain trust in business. They are build trust, advertise honestly, tell the truth, be transparent, honor promises, be responsive, safeguard privacy and embody integrity. If a business or charity has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau then it has met their strict accreditation standards.

Both entities are a helpful and trustworthy resource when consumers are looking for help in choosing a company to do business with. These two resources have a wide following and a wonderful reputation in upholding good business practices and helping consumers. The BBB was established in 1912. Angie’s list was founded in 1995, and yes their is a real Angie, she founded the list in 95′ with 1,000 members in Columbus, OH and the list has grown from there.

Archadeck of Kansas City is a proud member of both the Better Business Bureau and are on  Angie’s list. With the Better Business Bureau, we enjoy an A+ rating. With Angie’s List, we have been awarded the recognition of being in the top 5% of their contractors for the last 3 years.

as a superior service award company. Our experience with both companies has been wonderful. We highly recommend our prospective clients to use these sites as useful tools to help make an informed decision. Contact us today to learn more about us and how we may build an outdoor structure to transform your backyard. Kansas – (913) 851-3325 (DECK)
Missouri – (816) 228-3325 (DECK)
kansascity@archadeck.net