While Keystone Custom Decks has built a stellar reputation rooted in the backyard structure its name bears, the outdoor-living company is truly the one call that delivers it all, from pergolas to patios, pools to water features, and outdoor kitchens to your own private spa. 

That range of expertise requires cultivating an in-house team capable of top-notch results, whether they’re on-site, in the Keystone showroom or connecting with clients in more behind-the-scenes roles. 

After all, strengthening relationships with all the little things that make a huge difference is crucial when it comes to standing out from the crowd. 

“We really focus on providing excellence all the way through,” says Marcus Stoltzfus, Keystone’s marketing director. “We have an entire team that takes care of client gifts, like flowers with a handwritten note for their birthday or God forbid a funeral, or if we’re doing an outdoor kitchen and we find out their favorite drink, we’ll stock the fridge with that at the end of the project.”

That consistent quality comes directly from the top, as Marv Esh—who runs the second-generation family-owned organization with his brothers—handles hiring himself, ensuring that everyone on the Keystone team is committed to above-and-beyond client care and on-site perfectionism. 

“We don’t shy away from accountability and communication,” Stoltzfus confirms. “Our team talks about everything, and we approach our work with the attitude of serving our clients: We take the perspective that we should always be getting better for the client’s sake.” 

The benefits are many when working with a team that’s not only dedicated to personalized service but also delivering outdoor construction projects that are equal parts rock solid, functional and beautiful. For one, a wealth of knowledge regarding all things outdoors is readily available and accessible to every client; for another, the entire process, whether it’s done in stages or all at once, is seamless, harmonious and stress-free. 

“When a typical homeowner wants to put in a pool, a deck, a porch or a pergola, oftentimes they’ll need to have different contractors come in and do those services—and if it’s all at the same time, it creates twice as much stress for them because they have to be the [general contractor] themselves. They have to figure out all the scheduling for all those different moving parts,” Stoltzfus points out. “One of the nice things we can provide is when we come in, even if it’s in stages, we have everything in-house to do all that so they’re really only dealing with one point of contact.”

To help clients accurately visualize how every aspect of a project will come together, the newly renovated, two-story Keystone showroom offers hands-on, real-life comparisons of all the variables, from material components to layout configurations, in an inviting, thoughtfully designed environment. 

And while Keystone has put its name on million-dollar projects, its team always welcomes clients of any budget to discover the beauty of high-quality work that won’t break the bank, as there is no job too big or small for Keystone to work its magic on. 

“Keystone is a very high-end brand, but even if you can’t afford a six-figure project, you can come here and we’ll have something for you,” Stoltzfus says, pointing to options like its standard deck package that offers customization at an affordable price “for somebody who still wants excellence.” Or, as a certified Bullfrog Spas retailer, Keystone can also help homeowners make their dreams of a luxurious in-home spa a reality without nightmare pricing. 

With 2025 being the year it plans to manage its growth beyond Pennsylvania and New York and into Tennessee and Florida, Keystone remains singularly focused on ensuring that its world-class quality of both construction and customer service never wavers. 

“You get professionalism and courtesy when you work with us, our team is really efficient while maintaining a top level of craftsmanship,” says Stoltzfus. “We keep the site clean all the way through: At the end of each work day, everything gets cleaned up, there’s caution tape up because we’re very safety conscious. … Our whole team is huge on hospitality.” 

As Stoltzfus notes, even though Keystone is rarely the cheapest option among other companies in its field, clients routinely comment on how it was clearly the best choice in detailed reviews itemizing all the reasons they keep coming back to and highly recommending Keystone Custom Decks. 

“People often develop relationships with our teams, like some will have breakfast with the crew every morning and thank every crew member by name in their reviews,” he explains. “A common thread in our reviews isn’t just praising our professionalism and craftsmanship: It’s the length of the reviews, and how they met with a competitor after speaking with us, getting a quote and seeing our design, and are so glad they came right back to us. People choose us, and we don’t take that for granted.”

Keystone Custom Decks
East Earl, Pa.  
(717) 470-7551
KeystoneCustomDecks.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 2 (January/February 2025)
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