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By Chrysa Smith
For outdoor lovers, it’s the ultimate indulgence. A chill in the air. A warm, cozy blanket wrapped around them. In front view, a blazing fire, a few favorite snacks, and the Super Bowl on a big screen outdoor tv. Simply heaven—and better than a $7,000 NFL ticket.
Dan Miles of Miles Decks in Langhorne received such a photo from one of his clients. Even in winter, they were enjoying their outdoor space–and so are hundreds of others, through heat and through cold, throughout Bucks, Montco and surrounding areas.
“I have always loved working with my hands, creating and being outdoors,” says Dan Miles. “It’s edifying to see something you built that will leave a mark on someone’s world.” And outdoors is where his company shines. Whether it be decking, hardscaping, pavilions, covered structures or outdoor kitchens, Dan seems to understand what people want---and that is a way to stretch their indoor space just beyond its borders. A place to gather with family and friends that’s light and airy, open, and casual.
So, what about decks? “About 90 percent plus of our decking jobs are done with composite material,” he says. You’ve seen the ads. You might even have one of your own. “We use a lot of Trex. They’re the market leader and we haven’t had any problems,” Dan adds. Trex is a composite that is relatively maintenance-free. They have no mold or mildew problems, a large selection of colors from which to choose and a finish that’s colorfast.
“Most of our customers are in their 50s and 60s,” Dan says, “They want it done with no maintenance.” Gone are the days of staining and re-staining wooden decks. From his experience, treated lumber just doesn’t hold up. So right now, the only natural wood they use are exotic—for clients who want that extra special touch. “Even younger clients are not choosing traditional wood,” says Dan. “In the past, fathers would opt out of a social activity to stay home and stain a deck. Fathers are now busy and involved with their kids, so nobody has the time to do it anymore.”
Time is certainly one of the reasons why Miles has been so busy. But so is a job well done. “Our customers tell us how great the work is,” he adds. While some contractors leave certain aspects of the job up to their customers, like applying for permits, Miles Decks takes care of the project from start to finish. There can be slightly different permitting requirements from township-to-township. Dan simply says, “We do it all.’
They certainly seem to. “Structures are built mostly in-house,” he says. So, they control the design. Even with hardscaping, the buck stops with them. Customers generally like to deal with one person—someone who manages the job throughout. Someone they can trust. “I want customers to know I’m not just a guy, but a community partner,” says Dan. He wants customers to feel that experience-oriented feel---walking people through it. “I’ve been the lead salesman for 27 years, and while I’m looking to bring others into it, they need to have the same vision.”
There’s much word-of-mouth references, which come largely from Dan’s local involvement. He does a lot with local kid’s teams and organizations---really planting himself into his community. And then, it’s about repetition. From digital impressions like Google to social media to their showroom. People hear about him, see his work, come to the showroom to have a chat. “We walk them through the process,” Dan says. He asks lots of questions to help clients make their decision, since many times, they’re not completely sure what they want. “We ask how long will you be in the house? What’s important to you?” adds Dan. Perhaps how many people live in the house, what kind of entertaining they do. It’s all relevant in the selection process.
For example, if people do a lot of entertaining, they may want an outdoor kitchen area where people can gather at a counter, have a drink, socialize, and grab something off a grill. If they intend on staying in their house a long time, Dan will likely steer them towards composite decking that wears, gets hosed off and perhaps every so often, washed with a mild detergent and soft bristle brush. “We can find a decking that makes you happy. It’s almost like carpet. We’ve never had more colors, innovation, ways of putting them together.” According to Dan. The sky’s the limit, even if the budget isn’t. They’ve also forged long-term relationships with companies with better warranties and pricing, which can be in turn, passed along to customers.
If the look of hardscape is preferred, Dan advises that it needs re-sanding, weeds will grow and objects like wet leaves can leave marks. While initially less expensive, there can be more maintenance involved. And if someone wants some shade added, Dan will discuss three season rooms with windows, insulation, and heaters. “We do a lot of blended projects,” he says. “People come in with large plans, find out the price and I’ll suggest alternatives, like integrating cooking areas and decks, opening a new design scape by offering more.”
From flat decks to two-story, to blended, they’ve about done it all. Small townhouse decks to the most popular size: 25 X 16 or 30 X 20. But if needed, they can do a 25 X 100 pavilion if you’ve got the space. The whole pre-build process will take about 8-12 weeks by the time permits are pulled and in hand. So, if you’re thinking about increasing your outdoor space, it seems it’s never too early.
When asked about his favorite projects, Dans says, “They’re all my children. But I did build a great porch and fireplace up on Ferry Road.” And he’s just completing a commercial project for a country club in Central Bucks County. So adding on is a lot more than space. It’s enjoyment of spending time outdoors, more entertaining options, and if you’re lucky, maybe someone else to do the grilling for you.
Miles Decks is located at 2310 Big Oak Road, Langhorne, PA. For more information, call Miles Decks at 215-589-2273 or visit www.milesdecks.com
Chrysa Smith is a regular contributor to the magazine.