Creative Fences & Decks

Hired this company to build a 1000 sq ft Ipe deck, planters, benches and a pergola. Total $86000.

It has been a struggle from the beginning. Well, the struggle started immediately after I signed the contract.

First, Mitica (the owner) did not get a permit for this job nor did he tell me to get a permit. In fact, he told me he can start on the job immediately as I did not need a permit and he was waiting for permits for other jobs. Big mistake! About 1/3 into the job, when I started suspecting they are cutting corners and are not building the deck up to the current code, I told him not to put the skirt on the deck as I am going to get an inspection, to make sure that the deck is built up to code and is safe to use. Mitica's answer to me was that I cannot get an inspection as I don't have a permit. When I asked him why don't we have a permit and that we should get a permit immediately, he's answer was it will not matter now as the inspector will not be able to do inspect critical components of this job as these are already covered up.

I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THE DECKS BUILT BY THIS COMPANY DO NOT PASS MINIMAL STANDARDS OF CITY INSPECTORS! Unfortunately, I found this out after my deck was nearly completed.

Next, the planters should have been built outside of the deck (not sitting on the deck edges). The planters should have had their own support system and free drainage to the ground. This did not happen even though I personally discussed it with Mitica and his crew many-many times in person, over the phone, via texts and emails. Because of that, I had to incur an additional expense of building water proof metal boxes with drainage tubes to prevent water and dirt from the planters ruining the deck. This added a significant cost to the deck (not included in $86000). Good thing I kept all text and emails, so I will have documentation of those discussions when this goes to court.

I asked Mitica to make a gate in one portion of the deck skirt (under the pergola) to have access to irrigation and deck inspection. He agreed in his email but when I came home, the skirt was done and no gate in this portion of the deck. He had to place removable panels that get attached with screws to the deck skirting, making a brand new deck looking like it was a repaired old deck, all patched up. Additionally, he wanted to charge me $900 for this, which I refused to pay.

I asked Mitica not to place planter caps until metal planter liners/inserts are installed. Did not happen either. I come home and the crew is installing planter caps! I had to literally stop the construction crew from installing the remainder of the planter.

The deck was supposed to be 1000sq ft. I have only 850 sq and he will not adjust the price.

He yells and screams and pounds himself in the chest what an amazing work he does and how honest he is, but it has not been my experience! The work is substandard. He speaks very poorly of other decking companies. It should have been a red flag. What kind of person does that?! If a person or a company has to build up their own worth by stumping down somebody else, then there is nothing else they can show in their defense.

HIS DEFENSE TO ALL OF MY CONCERNS WAS THAT HE IS AN HONEST CHRISTIAN. IF THAR DEFENSE DOES NOT WORK, HE STARTS YELLING THAT I AM ATTACKING HIS CHARACTER. LITERALLY! FIRST, YOUR FAITH IS A VERY PRIVATE MATTER BETWEEN YOU AND GOD. WHEN I AM TELLING YOU THAT THE DECK IS SMALLER THAN STATED IN OUR CONTRACT, NOT BUILT THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BUILT, OR THE DECK IS NOT BUILT UP TO CODE, I AM NOT ATTACKING YOUR FAITH OR CHARACTER. I AM ATTACKING YOUR PROFESSIONALISM, WORKMANSHIP, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Bottom line: knowing everything I know now, I would STAY AWAY from this company, especially if you are a woman or cannot supervise every minute of the work. HE MISTAKES YOUR CIVILITY AND POLITENESS FOR WEAKNESS AND ABUSES IT!

Talk to CASCADE FENCE AND DECK from Vancouver. Their number is (360) 892-5478. They are super easy to work with, professional, have amazing customer service, do amazing work and give their customers LIFETIME workmanship warranty! Plus, you wont have to listen to this guy disparaging every other decking company in Oregon and Washington.