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Matt Kinsler and Phil Black, OwnersCustom Deck Creations is a leading deck designer and builder, committed to providing customer experience built on mutual trust and respect. The homeowner’s perspective is the prime consideration when undertaking a project. The most minute detail desired by the customer is accounted for in every deck they build.
Their crews provide high-quality services and expert workmanship with a white-glove touch, treating each property they work on as if it were their own. Whether a project entails building a new deck or refurbishing or replacing an existing deck, Custom Deck Creations handles it all.
“At heart, we are a customer service company. Our primary core value, above all else, is client experience; we just happen to specialize in composite decks,” says Phil Black, owner of Custom Deck Creations.
As a TrexPro Platinum-certified deck builder, the firm is adept at installing composite decking that showcases a deck’s warmth and beauty while removing any associated drawbacks of a traditional wood deck. Custom Deck Creations’ position as a local leader in composite deck construction is a testament to their meticulous design-build approach that ensures every client receives industry-leading value.
Building Trust through Transparency
Custom Deck Creations’ client engagement process begins when a homeowner calls and shares what they’re envisioning for their new outdoor living space. A no-cost, no-obligation in-home consultation is then scheduled. A design team collaborates with the homeowners to delve into their preferences and develop an understanding of how the space will be used, generating various designs tailored to their individual lifestyle and budget.
During the consultation, Custom Deck Creations presents a comprehensive array of composite deck options, facilitating discussions about the pros and cons and pricing for each. Advanced 3D modeling is used to demonstrate what client’s final deck will look like, ensuring the homeowner is pleased with the design.
Custom Deck Creations handles every aspect, creating construction drawings, securing homeowner or condo association approvals as needed, addressing zoning requirements, and coordinating inspections.
“We understand the importance of having consistent communication with your hired contractor, which is what we try to provide through a process-oriented project management system,” says Phil.
Clients work directly with our in-house project coordinator who handles client communication and provides updates.
A dedicated site supervisor enhances project oversight, while Owner Matt Kinsler oversees a beautifully successful execution of the project, assuring on-site coordination and seamless operations. Matt’s involvement in the project ensures every client has a direct line of communication with Custom Deck Creations’ ownership.
Trust with the client came through effective communication, with constant contact throughout the pre-build process. Transparency was provided on material deliveries, installation schedules, and other critical milestones.
Translating Expertise to Success Stories
Perfectly capturing Custom Deck Creations’ customer-centric approach is the story of a family with a newly built home. They initially reached out to various companies to build an outdoor deck on their Canton, Michigan home, but most contractors were not interested in discussing the design or willing to provide a detailed scope of work. It was a recommendation from their neighbors that led them to Custom Deck Creations.
Custom Deck Creations spent ample time delving into every detail of how the family envisioned using the outdoor space and what their preferences were on every aspect of their new deck. The result was a unique and distinctive composite deck design that perfectly met not only the family’s dream of their outdoor living space, but fell within their budget range as well.
At Heart, We Are A Customer Service Company Because Our Core Value, Above All Else, Is Client Experience; We Just Happen To Specialize In Composite Decks
From the initial installation of rot-proof galvanized steel structural footings to putting on the finishing trim details of their deck, the client was kept informed about every step of the week-long construction project to minimize the impact on their everyday activities. All questions were swiftly addressed, facilitating a seamless experience for the family. During the final walkthrough with the homeowner, the client expressed how happy they were with the end product and the overall process. A few last-minute adjustments were promptly handled the next day, and the family conveyed their gratitude with a positive review, describing the project experience as the best they’ve had with any construction-based company.
After building over 400 composite decks in the Southeast Michigan area, Custom Deck Creations has learned a deep understanding of the typical communication challenges that many homeowners face when hiring a contractor. To curb these obstacles, Custom Deck Creations prioritizes transparency and consistent communication. By answering client queries with authentic and unbiased information, they empower their customers to make informed decisions that are best for them.
The ensuing client interaction underscores Custom Deck Creations’ commitment to transparent communication. When a Commerce, Michigan client approached Custom Deck Creations, they wished to have their existing deck quoted for a resurface. The client already had five other quotes in hand and, as an informed homeowner, posed insightful questions about the best approach and various materials available for deck resurfacing.
The first step in any resurfacing project requires a thorough inspection of the client’s existing deck. As a North American Deck & Railing Association-certified deck inspector, Custom Deck Creations conducted a full deck inspection, at no-cost, with an unmatched degree of expertise.
The inspection revealed serious deterioration and integrity concerns with the client’s aged second-story deck.
The composite board is capped with a polymer. A proprietary formula serves to fortify the cap, rendering it scratch-resistant and removing organic materials to prevent rot. Custom Deck Creations’ focus on using the best composite decking boards ensures clients can enjoy their outdoor spaces without the hassle of continuous upkeep.
At the risk of losing the client but in the spirit of sharing honest observations, Custom Deck Creations recommended against a simple resurfacing and advised replacing the deck’s frame for safety and longevity. This transparent approach garnered the client’s trust, leading them to choose Custom Deck Creations for the project.
Transforming Backyards with Innovative Decking Solutions
Custom Deck Creations is dedicated to providing ecofriendly outdoor solutions. They partner with Trex, a reputed composite decking brand, for its quality and environmentally conscious attributes. 95 percent of Trex boards are made from recycled hardwood and plastic. An average 500 square foot deck contains more than 140,000 recycled plastic bags, films and wraps. Notably, Trex’s warranty on the board covers 25 to 50 years against rot, warping, staining or fading, showcasing its durability and longevity.
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We Understand The Importance Of Having Consistent Communication With Your Hired Contractor, Which Is What We Try To Provide Through A Process-Oriented Project Management System
Custom Deck Creations’ offerings also include maintenance-free outdoor kitchens. The kitchens, tailored to the homeowner’s preferences, can accommodate gas and charcoal grills, which are also available for purchase from the company. Pergolas, heating elements, lights, and fans are among many other amenities they offer. This comprehensive product portfolio allows clients to transform their backyard into a personalized and comfortable outdoor haven for gatherings.
Behind Every Deck
A seasoned crew of craftsmen at Custom Deck Creations is responsible for bringing each deck to life, showcasing their expertise in every client’s project. An integral part of the company for years, the team comprises specialist designers and estimators with over 20 years of experience in the composite deck industry.
Committed to prioritizing client experience, each member operates with a guiding principle of genuine care. This has fueled the company’s organic growth, primarily through word-of-mouth referrals from happy customers.
Custom Deck Creations leads the industry in deck design and construction, consistently providing homeowners with a high standard of service that results in a streamlined customer experience.
Building Confidence into Outdoor Living Investments
Outdoor living projects have become a larger part of residential property investment strategies, raising expectations for deck builders across the construction market. Buyers are no longer evaluating providers only on aesthetics or material selection. They are assessing how effectively a builder manages design planning, budget control and communication in an industry where vague scopes, inconsistent craftsmanship and project delays continue to frustrate homeowners.
Many construction problems begin before work starts. Homeowners often approve proposals lacking detailed layouts, structural clarity or realistic visualization, creating disputes later over permits, design changes or missing features. Builders who rely on limited sketches or loosely defined scopes leave too much open to interpretation during installation. Buyers increasingly favor firms that invest time upfront in planning accuracy, consultation and clear documentation before construction begins.
Design capability has also become a major differentiator as decks evolve into multiuse outdoor spaces. A layout intended for large gatherings requires different planning than a smaller private retreat. Buyers expect builders to think beyond dimensions and material choices by addressing traffic flow, lighting, furniture placement and long-term usability. Detailed visualization tools and collaborative planning discussions help reduce costly revisions later in the project. Firms that can align design decisions with how homeowners actually intend to use the space generally create stronger long-term satisfaction and fewer construction adjustments.
Budget management remains another pressure point throughout the residential construction sector. Customers continue to approach projects cautiously because of change orders, fluctuating material costs and inconsistent contractor accountability. Builders that establish detailed scopes of work early and maintain pricing discipline throughout construction create greater confidence for buyers, particularly on projects involving pergolas, covered spaces or outdoor kitchens where scope expansion can quickly affect costs. Clear financial expectations have become increasingly important as homeowners weigh lifestyle upgrades against broader economic uncertainty.
Construction methodology has become equally important as homeowners place more attention on longevity and structural reliability. Buyers increasingly evaluate how decks are supported, how moisture exposure is addressed and whether installation methods align with modern municipal standards. Specialized crews also matter. Companies dedicated exclusively to deck construction often maintain stronger quality consistency than contractors balancing multiple unrelated trades. Long-term support after project completion has also become more influential as buyers look for reassurance that maintenance concerns or workmanship issues will not become unresolved liabilities.
Communication remains one of the clearest indicators of project success. Buyers expect regular updates on permitting, scheduling and installation progress rather than limited visibility once work begins. Dedicated project management and responsive follow-through help reduce the uncertainty that often damages customer confidence during residential construction projects.
In this market, Custom Deck Creations stands apart through its focus on planning transparency, specialized deck construction and long-term customer support. The company combines in-house design services, 3D project visualization and dedicated project management to provide clarity before and during construction. Its use of galvanized ground screw systems instead of traditional wood footings reflects attention to structural longevity and current building standards. The company also supports broader outdoor living projects through pergolas, awnings and outdoor kitchens while accommodating partial-build and DIY requests. Lifetime transferable workmanship coverage and deck-specialized crews further strengthen its position for buyers prioritizing planning accuracy, communication and dependable project delivery.
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