House & Home magazine readers take great pride in the appearance of their homes as do the customers of Just Decks by Capri. Based in northern New Jersey, Just Decks by Capri was started more than 30 years ago by owner Carmine Capriglione. It’s a business he has nurtured and grown, reaching new heights in design and customer satisfaction year in and year out with more than 1,000 custom decks designed and installed. There is no one more focused on industry innovations, knowledge and reliable professional service than Capriglione and his award-winning carpenters.

Having been voted Best of House & Home (Decks) for the past four years, we asked Capriglione about his thoughts on what homeowners need to consider when selecting a decking contractor. Here’s what he had to say.

Your website says Just Decks by Capri is “just better.” Why is that?
I started my business in 1987. Since then, I have designed and installed more than 1,000 custom decks with a team of award-winning carpenters who are deck-building specialists. We build our decks one at a time, with the utmost attention to craftsmanship, innovative design, construction detail and customer satisfaction. We stand behind our work. We are licensed, insured, courteous professionals using high-quality materials, like Fiberon decking. In particular, I love the creativity of building pool surrounds and octagonal fire pits, and installing enhanced LED post lighting.

For homeowners who want top-of-the-line products and knowledge with innovative design, Just Decks by Capri is "just better." My crew makes a difference as well. I have a team of award-winning carpenters who are deck-building specialists, so they're more efficient and "just better."

We focus on providing ideas and options that are in the best interest of the customers. We are detail-oriented and nothing is overlooked. We leave the area “broom clean” upon completion. We treat our customers like family or friends. When we finish a project, everyone invites us to come back and enjoy the deck with them.

What should our readers know before hiring the right deck builder?
A well-designed deck can be a wonderful  addition to a home. Finding a local, licensed deck builder to give you the perfect space for entertaining and relaxing requires planning, interviewing and more. I believe that any deck project must be completed properly: with solid footings, structural supports and efficient egress to and from the house.  In addition, the homeowner should:

1. Check reviews and references from qualified sources.

2. Interview three or four deck builders.

3. Get estimates that include all the options under consideration.

4. Carefully review the contract before paying the deposit.

Many other companies run multiple crews, leading to multiple problems. The communication breakdown leads to issues and there is zero quality control on their jobs. We do it differently. We build one deck at a time and I am personally on-site for every project.  We’re an established company and there is no need to worry about us not showing up or something going wrong. We do it right once. Our company's reviews tell the story—with A and A+ ratings across the board, customers are overwhelmingly satisfied with our high-quality decks.

A custom deck is an investment and there is no room for mistakes. What goes into the building and installation process?
I want to make sure the general public understands what goes into the Just Decks building and installation process so I produced a step-by-step installation video, available on YouTube (search “Just Decks building process”), showing how my crew goes about building a new deck for customers, from the concrete footing to the steel railing support to the staircase. This video shows nothing is overlooked.

What advice would you offer homeowners looking for a reputable contractor?
After 32 years in the deck business, I have come across many horror stories, including my own personal experience with a deck on my own home. A year after its installation, the deck started to buckle. I contacted the composite decking company I was working with and was initially met with silence, despite my having used its materials for all of my jobs. After a long-fought battle, the manufacturer only  agreed to replace the decking and would not pay for labor. It was clear that I could no longer do business with a company that could not stand behind its own products or resolve matters fairly when its product failed to meet the standards. I will not compromise. That’s when I learned about Fiberon and now work with them exclusively.

The bottom line is that both the client and the contractor have to do their homework and protect themselves against unruly business  practices. To avoid catastrophes the homeowner needs to know his or her builder and make sure the builder knows the decking product. This will ensure a positive experience and a well-built deck to enjoy for many years.

Just Decks By Capri
Succasunna, N.J. | (201) 704-3072
JustDecksByCapri.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 19, Issue 9 (March 2019). 
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