This is my second review (the first was 1/27/21) and is for a totally different job…read more
Based on my earlier employ of Abedallah of American Star Construction ("Abedallah") in January to fix my awning, I had him build a deck as an extension to my front porch. The deck was made of Trex(-like) material, and railings were of redwood.
Before awarding the job I gathered three estimates from:
1. a casual laborer who barely spoke English, not licensed or bonded. Although his estimate was ultimately only 31% of Abedallah's, admittedly, I had less than full trust he would do anything more than lay a basic deck of questionable quality.
2. a licensed and bonded professional construction company. I had full confidence that the man who looked at my property and the task at hand would do a wonderful job. However, his estimate was ultimately a little more 2.5 times the amount Abedallah asked for!
3. Abedallah. Although he is not licensed or bonded, again he exuded confidence in his work, and at a price midway between the other two. Accordingly, it was not a difficult decision to give him the job.
As for the job itself, as I mentioned, it was to be a an approximately 5' x 13' Trex(-like) deck (ultimately he used Home Depot's version of Trex, Fiberon ArmorGuard, which I discovered is of the same quality, but more inexpensively acquired). He visited with me at least twice before the job began, taking measurements and providing me samples of the material to assuage my concerns and answer all my questions.
He told me he would do the job himself and would take him two days, and we set up a mid-week date, perhaps a week or 10 days later. On the appointed day, he started the job himself, but a co-worker joined him an hour or two later.
Both men went to work tirelessly, and knocked on my door several times during the day for requisite bathroom breaks and such, as well as to confer with me about pertinent details. In fact, Abedallah found that my front porch was actually slanted. He explained that he could either build the deck out from the porch straight and perfect (but with maybe a half-inch lip protruding where it connected with my porch), OR, he could build it even with the porch (which would then mean the deck would be canted downward at a slight angle). Of course this meant that items I placed on the deck (i.e., a plate or glass on the railing) would have a good chance of falling off. I opted for the former where the deck is perfectly straight. The lip is very small and of little consequence. I mention this because another contractor might have simply gone on with the job and not sought my input. Abedallah strove to be clear and transparent, providing me with a choice. This is how he works and you have to respect that.
As an extra bonus, I was more than surprised that late in the afternoon, he told me that they would actually finish the deck this same day, great news for convenience and efficiency which benefitted us both. They did in fact stay and work on the deck until darkness set in around 8:30pm. My main regret -- although I had provided them water and drinks during the day -- was that I didn't make a frozen pizza or something for them. Why? They never took a single meal break -- neither lunch OR dinner! I felt bad but thought they would've brought their own food or taken a meal break. All in all, that's real dedication and perseverance above and beyond.
The deck turned out PERFECT (SEE photos), and is very complimentary to my Spanish Mediterranean home. Now, with my recent retirement, I get to walk out onto my deck and relax in a rocker with a sandwich and beer, newspaper or book, and watch the world go by while getting fresh air and sun as needed. The deck is on the corner of my house so I get a mild 2-way breeze that is tamped down by the alcove of my porch. Also, since it is an Eastern exposure, the sun shines on it in the morning -- perfect for coffee and a Danish -- and is cool the rest of the day as the noon sun folds back Westward behind my house, swathing the deck in wonderful shade. I feel almost as if another WING has been added to my home. I'm totally loving it and will host my very first Memorial Day BBQ on it tomorrow!
To sum up, everything Abedallah said he would do, he did. To me, promptness, trust, and confidence in someone providing a quality product is of the utmost importance, and again, Abedallah and American Star Construction came through. He even reiterated his virtual lifetime guarantee of his work, encouraging me to contact him or them should I need anything or have any questions about the deck. What more can one ask for?
I'm certain I will find another project for Abedallah again, and will not hesitate to call on him. I wholeheartedly recommend you give him a call likewise. Undoubtedly, you will be pleased by the stupendous value you will receive through the unbeatable combination of price, quality and ultimate peace of mind. Beyond that, enjoyment!
