Testimonials

Cliff,
I’m super stoked my drone shots made it to your gallery! If anyone asks, or needs photos and videos, please let me know, I’m happy to be there Dyer Aerials.

I can’t tell you enough how we appreciate you and your crew (Lisa too!) managing the entirety of our deck vision. You took our rough idea, around our decidedly unorthodox house, from sketches to reality. Our screened in rear porch has become our fair weather office and school room during the pandemic. The kids have already had two parties to celebrate it, a third this coming weekend. I think we are out here (I’m out right now) 14 hours of the day. Jean can speak to this, as our general contractor for the house, back in 2003/2004, your professionalism is paramount, and you’ve been a pleasure to work with.

Thanks again, and we wish you the best.

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for sending the final paperwork for my deck. I love how everything came out! I want to thank you, Cliff and the crew for making this such an easy process. I especially love that the patio area is so much bigger now since the posts were moved out to the edge of the deck. I’m very happy with the new under deck drainage system and how the Azek flooring looks too. The lights look great and I appreciate that the transformer box was put downstairs rather than up on the deck. I appreciate that you kept me fully informed as to the schedule changes along the way with your periodic emails too. Cliff had mentioned that he had a patio guy that he could recommend to me so if I could get his contact information that would be great.

Thanks again for everything!

To Whitmer Decks:

Please accept our thank you for the fabulous deck you built for us last month. You and your crew of highly skilled carpenters constructed our 1500 sq ft deck of wood and Trex material that exceeded our expectations.

After observing Cliff and his crew daily as they worked in the summer heat to get our job done, there are a few things I came to appreciate about this owner, operator, designer, and team leader. He is a man of high integrity and honestly. He and his crew were a joy to work with from start to finish. Cliff kept his word, built on time, on budget, and to the highest level of quality I have ever seen. He and his team of full time, experienced carpenters payed great attention to detail that resulted in an outside living space of impeccably high quality and beauty.

My wife and I have nothing but praise for Cliff because he is a highly educated master deck builder and designer with enormous skill and experience.

Any homeowner who wants the job done right would be wise to do business with Whitmer Decks. They have earned our highest level of respect and thanks for a job well done.

Lisa and Cliff,

You read about leadership and your taught about it in grad school, but seeing it actually work in real time is an honor to watch. Cliff you got the genes, your a lucky man and so is your team. The men don’t goof off and each is ready to turn over their work product in the right sequence for the next step. I`ve watched it! They`ve been taught well and repetition is only a small part.

The sequence and teamwork are rare commodities in this crazy world no mater how many times you`ve built similar structures! You guys have heart and I`m a lucky customer to be a part of it!!

Hi Cliff – I`m so sorry I didn`t get to say goodbye and thank you to your team and you. Everything was handled so well, from your initial design to the completed project. What a great team you have – they were all so capable and professional as well as being a pleasure to have around. The deck is our private oasis and we`re enjoying every minute on it (even though we don`t yet have furniture)! We`ll let you know when it`s painted and furnished so you can take pictures, but it`s already FABULOUS! Thank you SO much!

Good morning Cliff,
Thank you for a job well done! The pictures look great, and we look forward to enjoying the beautiful deck this summer! Thank you also for sending the final inspection reports for our files. We also would like to thank you for your professionalism and integrity throughout the whole deck building process. If you ever need a reference, send them our way!

Awesome! I love it and couldn’t have asked for a better result! I really appreciate the professionalism and expertise of you and your crew.

On another note, I noticed that you have a list of references in your folder that you hand out. Feel free to add me as a reference if you would like.

Thanks again,

Hi Cliff,

First a belated thanks for the great umbrella – it`s very useful.

Second, I just wanted to tell you how much we are enjoying the deck & patio! We’ve finally gotten all the furniture & are using it every day; it’s such a great pleasure – I don’t think Joel has ever spent this much time outside except on a tennis court.

Thanks again for the superlative work, both in design & in execution.

All the best,

Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the heads up on the lumber pickup….we’ll park on street just just in case they come early.

We did find the remote and the deck looks absolutely fantastic at night! You and your crew did a wonderful job on the deck and the shed and we could not be happier! You have exceeded our expectations. Please be sure to thank everyone on your crew for thier hard work.

Thanks again for the great job and have a nice weekend

We had a wonderful experience working with Whitmer Decks to add a screened porch and outdoor deck to our home. The planning process was exciting: Cliff, always pleasant and approachable, took our design ideas and added touches of his own, many of which we decided to adopt. He communicated clearly and we were grateful for his expertise where we really had none. As we waited for our start date, we were kept apprised of any changes that might occur due to unforeseen issues such as weather delays.

Building began right on time. Materials were delivered the morning the crew started and this efficiency was evident throughout the building process. They were on site every day and worked diligently and effectively. The guys were friendly, answered all our questions, and finished on time.

The final product is all we had hoped for. The joints are tight; every piece of wood meets another with no warp or wiggle or air. The railing nestles around the beams like puzzle pieces. It is snug. The comment we hear most frequently from our guests is how well built everything is. Critically also, the space is warm and inviting. Both the screened porch and deck have already provided many hours of relaxed living. We love our Whitmer Deck and recommend them with no reservations. We appreciated their expertise, professionalism and commitment to delivering superior service and products.

Cliff Whitmer is a true professional who worked with us over several weeks to come up with a beautiful design that gives us the most functionality.

He was on site every day with his crew. They finished the entire project in just over two weeks.

Ours was a complex project involving removing the existing two tier deck with partially sunken hot tub and installing a new screened porch and deck on a single level.

We are now able to walk directly outside from our breakfast room into the screened porch area without stepping down. This also raised the height under the porch and deck giving us more useable space than before.

Restricted access to the backyard prohibited the use of heavy machinery, yet they still managed to accomplish all tasks in a safe and effective fashion. Every aspect of the project from positioning of supplies and location of trailers to probable dates for county inspections was discussed with us in advance.

They are craftsmen and show it by paying attention to the details like smoothing the edges on all posts including the 6×6 support posts under the deck and hiding the electrical wiring within the posts. We are also pleased with the under deck drainage system that keeps the hot tub and walk out patio dry. Their work schedule is Monday thru Friday, with weekends off which was much appreciated by our neighbors. They kept their work area clean, put away all their equipment and policed the area every day.

We have had a lot of contractor work done in the past and by comparison this was the most pleasant, professional experience we have encountered to date. There are no surprises with Whitmer Decks. Truly a pleasure working with Cliff and his team.

I can`t say enough positives about Cliff and his team.

When he came out for the initial consultation I told him that I love doing work on my house and that I wanted to be involved. I had a custom idea for the railing (using copper plumbing pipe that I would cut myself), and some things, like the electrical I wanted him to rough in as I would complete. I said straight out at the beginning that I would be there every day and if he was not comfortable with that I was not a good client for him. But he was fine with that and worked with me on the custom railing and on the full design and gave me really good ideas and options. He even sent me the raw CAD files as he drew them so I could look at them in an AutoCAD viewer. Things like the new sliding door, I bought and stained myself and he put in, and he was fine with that, as well as my getting specific stainless steel screws to use. (Yes, I did do a good enough job of convincing him I knew what I was doing so that the door was the right size, screws were right and the copper pipes were all cut and prepped to the right amount and sizes on time)

I told him price was not my main factor, quality, dependability, honesty and someone I can work with were. But overall the price was fine. Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for and I got what I paid for! The fact that he has no issue working with someone like me that will do some of the work (to keep price down, and I like doing it) more than made up for it anyway.

The crew was great. Cliff only uses his crew who work solely for him and build decks. No picking up people outside of McDonalds that don`t care about quality.

He was upfront on payment plans, and everything was done on schedule.

Couple of things that impressed me the most though was how Cliff handled a couple of things that didn`t go to plan. I wanted below the deck to be open, but his guys enclosed the front side. Honest mistake. I actually didn`t mind it, but it was not on my contact. Cliff would have taken it off, but we worked out a deal where we basically split the cost.

The other was the custom railing. They used a drill press to get them dead straight, but with one section to go the press broke and they did the rest by hand. When I got home it just did not look right, not to that level of quality I expected. Cliff came out, looked at it and said, you are right. They took it apart, fixed the drill press and redid that part of the railing with no complaining. Anyone can make a mistake, it`s a good contractor that fixes them with no complaining.

I have enjoyed my deck for 3 full seasons now, and it still looks great. The quality and attention to detail are fantastic. In the 3 & years it has barely settled. I had to make a slight adjustment to the screen door to the outside part of the deck once (my deck is 100% wooden, no plastic stuff for me, so I expect a little settling)

If you want the cheapest deck (both price and quality) look elsewhere. If you want quality, dependability, trust, someone with will work WITH you, not just tell you to buzz off, quality materials, great options, great design ideas then get Cliff!

When you`ve owned and lived in the same house as long as we have, it slowly becomes a part of who you are, your style, your respite; it becomes your home. Each year we`ve taken on a project from one room to the other, and the years have passed enough that we have remodeled, painted, etc. at least two rounds in each room by now!

We`ve wanted to put a porch on our house since we first moved to Burke more than 20 years ago. However, we both knew that if we attempted the project ourselves (and believe me, David wanted to) we might not still be married, let alone have a house. [Not that we couldn`t have done it; it just would not have been a ‘good idea,’ if you know what I mean!] Contractors have come and gone on other less ambitious projects we couldn`t undertake, and we always had some regret, or some minor repairs to make after they left&

So, for our 30th wedding anniversary last year, we made plans to add a porch to our home as a gift to each other, the agreement was that neither one of us was permitted to take on any part of the task! Whitmer Decks became highly recommended. And, it is no wonder.

Cliff, I would like to tell anyone out there who is considering adding a screened in porch, deck, etc. to their home, that they should not even consider anyone but you for the job! I mean that so sincerely. Each day I couldn`t wait to get home from work to see what had been done (we won`t talk about the snow in March)! Your team worked so quickly, so neatly and efficiently. I did not tell you that when our old deck was pulled down and you had just put up the floor joists, that evening we both dangled our feet from the kitchen doorway in sweet anticipation of what was to come! And, now we are living that dream! Even though the weather has not been warm, we are out their daily bundled up in jacket and blankets, drinking coffee and enjoying the porch, each other`s company, and the view!

Thank you again.

The deck turned out better than we expected, on time, and on budget. Cliff and his crew were extremely professional and hardworking; they took the time to explain the process, the timeline, etc. in a way that made it clear they knew what they were doing and that our new deck was in great hands. Once complete, the deck has been wonderful and exceeded our hopes for a great outdoor space to compliment our house and yard.

We routinely are told by guests how excellent the deck looks and how well built it is.

They then ask who built it and we’re more than happy to recommend Whitmer Decks!

Thank you

I had a carpenter at the house today doing several little projects and he RAVED about my deck. Not just 2 or 3 times, but every time I talked to him during about 5 hours. He looked at everything — all the details, the finish work, the drain system underneath, etc. etc.

Thanks again!

Thanks Cliff. We really appreciate your hard work and excellent craftsmanship. The deck is exactly what we wanted and imagined. The fence does look perfect, and the height of the fence looks just right. Your entire crew were true professionals as well.

We have been enjoying every minute on the deck, especially my son. Thanks again!

Regards,

If you want a well-planned and well-crafted deck, built by a skilled crew, you want Whitmer Decks to build it. Cliff Whitmer is extremely helpful throughout the planning stage, using computer imagery to help you visualize your project & and patient when you change your mind. Lisa Whitmer stays on top of everything on the administrative side. Cliff and his crew are masters of their trade, and work together quickly and precisely to complete the project.

I come from a family of highly competent carpenters and I was looking for a company with similar skills and standards at an affordable price. Whitmer Decks did not disappoint! I was impressed at every step of the process, from the first meeting with Cliff through the finished deck and cleanup.

By the way…we LOVELOVELOVELOVE the deck. All of it. And all of the extra work your crew did to put our yard back in order including pulling up loose bricks, stacking them, cleaning dirt off the pool deck…just everything. Thank you. Cal and I could absolutely not be happier that we waited for you guys to do the deck instead of having someone (anyone) else do it.

Thanks for sharing these photos, Cliff.

It was great for me to learn more about what was done along the way. I only got to see the end of day status along the way. I was very curious about the wires for the lights. Now I know! We are very pleased, indeed. The deck seems to fit the back of the house like a glove. Thanks so much for such a great job, advice, design, workmanship, scheduling, permits, and much more. We really valued your professionalism and attention to all the details of this project. There is probably no one better in Northern VA. You should have your own show on HGTV, ‘The Deckster Doing it Right, Sir.’

March 7, 2011

Clifford K. Whitmer, President
Whitmer Decks, LLC
5765F Burke Centre Pkwy #162
Burke, Virginia 22015

What a great team to work with. From our first phone call setting up the initial appointment, through design, layout, discussion of materials, cost estimation, finalization of the design, scheduling and construction you worked hand in glove and provided us with accurate and timely information.

Sandy and I are very pleased with our new deck and we have received many compliments on its design and construction details that are evident in your quality workmanship. The end capping of the decking, the new anodized balusters, low voltage lighting and pergola makes the deck very attractive both day and in the evening. Cliff`s personality, knowledge, and professionalism are evident during project discussions and presentation of design options and throughout construction.

When the crew arrived we were introduced to each employee and watching their professionalism, attention to detail and quality of craftsmanship gave us a sense of comfort and the knowledge that we had hired the right firm. With Cliff being present daily throughout the removal of the old and the construction of the new deck gave us a sense of trust and satisfaction. We felt very comfortable leaving for the holidays, with the deck partially constructed, knowing that it would be completed to our expectations and satisfaction prior to our return. It was.

We will strongly recommend you to anyone that is interested in a quality deck being designed and constructed. Feel free to have you potential clients contact us and they certainly are welcome to stop by and see a great finished product.

Sincerely,

We used Checkbook.org to review deck builders, and found that Whitmer was 17 for 17 recommended, with very good reviews. We are happy to report that we had the same experience, and highly recommend Whitmer Decks. We loved the fact that they have a single crew with the owner leading the work. Cliff had thousands of pictures of prior jobs to show us so we could pick out exactly what we wanted. Each option was priced and they allowed us to change our mind up to a few weeks before we started. They lost a day to weather, and came back on the weekend to make up for it. They did not cut corners in material and the work was high quality. They installed our new door and fan, and even carried our grill up to the new deck. Down the road we might do a front porch with them, which is the best comment we can give.

We could not be more pleased with our incredible experience with Whitmer Decks. When we met with Cliff at our initial consultation, he literally built our screened in porch and deck before our eyes on his computer using our thoughts and his ideas and expertise as we discussed them. We totally recommend them for their craftsmenship, their attention to every detail, and for the overall excellent quality of our experience. When they are building your deck, you are their number one priority. Lisa stayed in touch during the entre process and is very friendly and professional. Everyone came when expected, worked efficently when here, and completed the project totally as planned. Cliff’s crew was pleasant and friendly, and are all excellent carpenters. Cliff’s careful attention to our Design Review Board requirments led to a seamless approval process. When they finished our project, our property was completely clean of all debris. We had high expectations for our project, and they exceeded them all. We are thrilled with our beautiful screened in porch and deck. Whitmer Decks is the only deck company I would ever recommend to anyone.

When I needed quotes for our new deck, I checked Washington Checkbook as usual for recommendations. In this difficult economy, only the fittest and best survive. Whitmer Decks proved this point when they promptly responded to my enquiry and followed it up with a consultation a few days later. From the outset Cliff was extremely professional and efficient (with help from wife Lisa). His quote laid out all the options we discussed – eg this deck in wood would be so much, this deck in synthetic, so much and these options so much. This way we were able to tailor the deck to our budget. When the location of the septic field proved to be an obstacle, Cliff redesigned the deck to give us what we wanted. Almost a thousand sq ft of two level deck was completed in two weeks, as quoted. We are exremely happy with the result. His many beautiful creations (including ours) can be viewed at whitmerdecks.com

FANTASTIC JOB ON TOWNHOUSE DECK. LOVED HAVING OWNER OF COMPANY ON JOBSITE EVERYDAY. WE DIDNT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A THING. EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL, OWNERS CLIFF & LISA WHITMER MAKE A GREAT TEAM. SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. ON TIME & EXCEEDED ALL OUR EXPECTATIONS. WE ARE STILL GETTING SO MANY COMPLIMENTS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. VERY RESPECTFUL OF OWNERS PROPERTY & LEFT JOBSITE EMACULATELY CLEAN.

May 23, 2010

About a week ago, Whitmer Decks installed our new composite deck, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. We originally chose Whitmer Decks for two reasons: (1) they were one of the only deck builders on Consumer’s Checkbook with universally positive ratings, and (2) they beat the next closest estimate by $1,700. After seeing our new deck, we’re convinced that we chose wisely.

What makes Whitmer Decks special is that it’s a small operation that delivers a remarkably well-crafted deck with a personal touch and professionalism that is hard to find these days among larger operations. From Cliff Whitmer’s initial estimate — which was scheduled on a Sunday at our convenience — to Lisa’s initial call where she laid out every step of the process, we felt like we were their only client. We never waited more than a couple of hours for a response to a question, and they were even able to start our deck two weeks ahead of schedule.

On ‘deck day’, Whitmer Decks told us that they would start at 7:30AM. At 7:29AM, the ladder went up. They said it was going to take 2 days for the install — and it did. What impressed us the most, though, is that Cliff was on site the entire time, and even our neighbors commented on how nice the entire crew was. And most important, the deck was incredibly well-built (no visible imperfections at all). In short, we got a great deck (complete with cool lighting) at a great price from great people. We couldn’t ask for more.