We had a new screen porch, approximately 10X12 ft, added to the back of our dining room. We replaced a window in that area with new French doors (which we ordered ourselves, not included in the 19,500 price), had a patio poured (since the porch was at ground level) and had a screen porch with a door built on top of the patio.
Andy Lombardo provided our initial estimate and worked with us as the primary contact throughout the job. We chose American Deck b/c their plan for the build seemed much simpler and more logical than two other contract groups that we talked with (we received a bid from one). Basically there are other options for building a screen porch at ground level (in terms of the base/foundation), and the other contractors seemed to take overly complex approaches.
Andy was very easy to work with from the beginning. He drew up a draft contract, which he revised after I consulted with him, and laid out the plans clearly. He and I talked regularly right before the project start, since we had ordered the door separately (and Andy was good about providing advice when we were trying to determine the specs for the door), and the work started basically right on time. Progress was good, although there were a few slowdowns for inspections, the screens to come in, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary. One thing I especially appreciated is right after I first talked with Andy, he checked on the necessary space needed between the wall of our house and the planned porch – since our electric meter is located there – and found out that a minimum clearance of 3 feet was needed. The other contractors didn’t even consider this. The team finished the porch just a couple of days ago and Andy came almost immediately to inspect the team’s work a final time before collecting payment.
One other note I would like to include – this porch was something I was more interested in having than my husband – thus I handled about 99% of the management of this job on our end. I have dealt with many professionals who have “talked down” to me as a female, and I really applaud Andy, and his team, for interacting with me professionally and in the same manner that I would expect that they would have treated my husband. All in all, a very easy contract experience, and we love the porch!
