Outback Deck Bringing Inspiration To Your Outdoor Space By Ellen Samsell Salas When potential customers call Outback Deck, they can be assured that they will get more than their granddaddy or daddys deck. They will be part of the Outback commitment to creating an outside experience where family and friends can come together. Life Happens Outback, said Co-Owner John Gwaltney. Ten years ago, when we started this business, building decks was more cookie cutter, one size fits all. But we have learned that people really want a space where they can invest more time. That might mean adding more square footage, a fireplace, or a sitting area with a TV. Gwaltney says the process begins when customers contact Outback saying, Hey, I want to spend more time in my yard. How do I do that? This is when Gwaltney, his partner, Bryan Miller, and their team of solution specialists begin their work. The solution that fits the customers needs and budget might be adding a porch, or it might be a project that includes underdecking, a new deck, or hardscaping such as a retaining wall or patio with a firepit. We are well rounded, well positioned, and can handle everything our client needs, said Miller. We dont do pools, but we do combine many elements that other companies miss. Our goal isnt to work quickly and be gone, but to understand our clients vision and bring that to fruition in their outdoor living space. Customers First The Outback philosophy is not The Customer Is Always Right but The Customer Is Always First, insisted Miller. Were focused on what the customer is thinking and feeling. Our whole process is geared toward designing the outdoor space the customer desires and doing our best to provide outstanding service for a reasonable budget. We specialize in removing the pain from the experience and creating a space that brings years of enjoyment. Putting the customers and their families first means that Outback makes safety a paramount focus. There really isnt anyone out there who focuses on safety, and thats what were known for, said Miller. We care about the safety and security of those you love. Educating Customers To Make the Best Choices Knowing that every family, every house, and every yard is unique, the Outback team doesnt approach a job with boilerplate ideas. Our first step is to educate our clients and figure out what is best for their property and their budget, said Miller. We like to say we provide guidance and choices, not set answers. We want clients to understand the products available, the choices available such as water features or hardscaping such as rock work, and the options available for financing. We want our clients to make the best decision for their homes and their families. That means, Outback doesnt pressure customers into quick decisions. Our values are trust, confidence, and care, said Miller. It is important that our customers trust us with their home, their familys safety, and the quality of our product. Building Trust Essential to building trust is the Outback team that includes solution specialists and seven highly trained crews of at least three members each. Production Manager Ken Lapierre, who oversees all projects, is the guy who keeps the promise we make to our customers, said Miller. Each project is led by a project manager who is assigned a crew that stays with the project from start to finish. Their commitment also means that Outback handles everything: delivering materials, hauling away job debris, obtaining needed permits, and being present at all inspections. Always on the Cutting Edge Seeing a need in the industry 10 years ago, Gwaltney and Miller set out to offer more than just the standard deck. Now known for their exceptional customer service and products, their business has grown and continues to thrive. Serving Cherokee, Cobb, and Fulton counties, over the next five years, they will be expanding to include the entire metro Atlanta area. Part of Outbacks success is staying ahead of the status quo. In addition to the required ongoing education for licensed contractors, employees attend national expos, and importantly, Outback works closely with the industrys top vendors. Partnering with premium vendors, we know all the new products now available. Many of our vendors turn to us for ideas. Today, we are on the cutting edge, well ahead of industry practice, said Miller. These relationships mean that Outback offers a wide variety of production selections, from leading PVC and composite products (Azek and TimberTech) that are truly customer friendly and super low maintenance, to Brazilian hardwoods such as Ipe. Because we use premium brands, customers have the same level of surety and confidence in the product, as they have in us, said Miller. Simply put educating customers on their desires and options, offering the best materials available, and providing a trained, dedicated staff ensure that Outbacks products are safe, built to last, and bring inspiration to outdoor living. When you serve people at a high level and show you care, you create trust, and that trust breeds confidence that allows our clients to choose what is best for them, said Miller. Outback Deck, Inc.501 Hickory Ridge Trail, Suite 150Woodstock, GA 30188678-262-4113OutbackDeck.net
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