Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions that we hear from a lot of our customers.

How long have you been in business and how many backyard projects have you built?

Decathlon Construction opened its doors on March 12th, 2003.  We have over 3000 backyard projects completed.

 

Are you part of the Better Business Bureau?

We have been a part of the BBB since 2006.  We have an A+ BBB rating.

 

How large is Decathlon Construction?  Are you a franchise? 

We are not a franchise; we are a family owned small business.  You can reference the “About Us” section if you would like to know more about our company’s history.

 

What forms of payment to you accept?

We take checks and Visa/Mastercard.  There is a 4% fee to use a credit card.  If you use a bank loan we will provide you with the necessary items from our end to complete your loan.

 

What are your payment terms?

On a typical job, we do 50% at the start of the job (after material delivery), 25% after the framing of the project is complete, and 25% at the completion.

 

Why are your terms different for a Credit Card?

With margins of about 10%, we can’t afford to pay 4-5% as a credit card fee.

 

How long will my job take?

If you are ordering a basic patio cover/concrete project, you are looking at 1-2 weeks of real time.  If there are additional needed inspections or masonry work, we can let you know how much longer it will be.  A very large outdoor living space with a Fireplace and other masonry work would be closer to 5 weeks.

 

We have a Home Owners Association, and our city wants a permit, do you handle that?

Yes, we handle all the red tape.  If you give us a blank copy of the HOA application, and a survey of your property, we will handle it all for you.

 

Does my job require a permit?

That depends on the job and the city.  We can answer that for you during the onsite visit.  Every city has different rules and ordinances.

 

I have no idea how to cover my existing space, and neither did the first couple of guys that came out to look at it.  Is this a problem?

Many of our jobs begin with the customer saying “Nobody else could cover this space”, or “I have no idea how we can cover this space”.  We have been around the block a few times.  Odd shaped areas are usually not as big of a deal as you might think.

 

Your stuff looks better than the other things we see online, but I can’t put my finger on it.  Why is this?

There are several reasons why our pictures stand out.  Scaling is a big issue, using the correct size posts, beams, and things like gables for the job.  Our jobs flow better and transition better.  Our trim transitions much better from the underside.  Our team is highly experienced and takes pride in their work, which shows in the product.  During the on site visit much of this will be explained.

 

How does your pricing compare to other companies?

We are hands down the best value on the market, because the job is designed to give you the best experience per dollar.  We are not out to present a low price so that we can get a sale and get in and out.  We want to quote what provides you with the experience you are looking for.

 

Am I supposed to negotiate like when buying a car?  What is the protocol?

We quote the job as competitively as possible up front.  The price is what it is.

 

What is your lead time before you can start my job?

Typically 6-7 weeks is the lead time to start new jobs from when you sign up.

 

Your lead time to come give me an estimate and to start the job is longer than other companies.  Why is this?

I would rather lose a few jobs that do not want to wait, than to water down the product and add inexperienced crews and team members in order to get more done faster.

 

How long has your team members been with you? 

In short, many years.  Our least experienced team member has been here 4 years, while our longest has been here since we first opened in 2003.  A big part of giving you an excellent product is having team members that love their job and take pride in their work.  We work hard to keep these guys around.

 

Do I need to be home while you build my job?

No, most of our customers are not home while we work.  Our process is extremely refined and keeps you from being inconvenienced.

 

Are your crews in house or do you use sub contractors?

It is a combination of the two.  Our carpentry crews are all in house.  Some of the items, such as electrical, are technically sub contracted.  However, any sub contractor we use has been part of the team for many years, and Decathlon Construction is more than half of their workload.  We do not have any of the issues associated with sub contractors.

 

Are you insured?

Yes, as this is required for most permit processes, bank loans, and for your peace of mind.