Decks Unlimited – “Lincoln’s Premier Deck Builder & Material Retailer”

Interview with Dan Waters, owner of
Decks Unlimited

Headquartered here in Lincoln, Decks Unlimited (DecksUnlimitedNE.com) is a locally owned and operated business specializing in the installation of premium decks. The company also serves as a local source for deck materials, providing sales and expert advice to area contractors and DIYers.

How long have you been in Lincoln? – I personally have lived in Lincoln since 1990 and graduated from Southeast High School. Decks Unlimited was established in 2013 and it’s exciting to now be celebrating our 5-year anniversary. A lot has happened in just that short amount of time!

Who are the owners/important executives? – I am the original founder and owner of Decks Unlimited, but I couldn’t do it without my amazing team. This includes Tom Didier, our in-house sales manager; Natalee Slingsby, our office manager; and Isiah Mcneese, our yard supervisor and delivery driver. Additionally, out in the field we have four foremen – Alex Law, Alex Tomes, Ethan Burham, Brandon Karel – along with a foreman in training, Andy Haldeman, and four great carpenters to help them – Marcus Wright, Chris Trusow, DJ McGerr, and Rick Bradley.

What do you think makes you different from other companies similar to yours? – That’s simple, we care about our customers and we want to deliver the best finished product possible, every time. We hire carpenters not laborers, and we hire people who truly enjoy what they do and take great pride in their work.

What do you like about doing business in Lincoln? – Lincoln is a special city and I love it here. It’s a town with a close-knit community, where the people are great and word of mouth spreads quickly. We have a great thing going here and I am proud to be a Lincolnite. Since I began construction in 2003, I have watched the city grow steadily; even during the economic crisis in 2008, there was still a need for new construction. Lincoln is a great place to raise a family and have a small business.

What kind of community organizations/groups are you involved with? – Decks Unlimited is a proud supporter of Men With Dreams, a local non-profit run by Brandon McWilliams. We also are a strong supporter of the Natonal Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). My wife Kim is helping organize the NEDA walk that will take place at Holmes Lake on September 30th.

Do you have a business philosophy or mission statement? – At Decks Unlimited, we are 100% dedicated to quality customer service, quality products, and quality installation. We take pride in the work we do and treat every job with the same attitude.

What is one of the biggest challenges that your company has faced? – I think the biggest challenge we face today is educating the public that we are here to be used as a resource for everyone, not just our customers but also DIYers, contractors, and builders. We want to be viewed as an ally for anyone building a deck.

What has been your most important achievement as a business? – Building such a great team. I started out wanting to create a work atmosphere where people could enjoy coming to work, building a family within the workplace, and I feel like I’ve achieved that goal.

What was the biggest turning point in your business? – When we made the move to open a showroom and house our own materials a little over a year ago. It has helped with quality control and gives our customers somewhere to go for hands-on deck and railing displays. We also have samples of every color and brand we use to ensure the customer is getting the best information to help them pick the deck that is right for them.

What changes have you seen in the industry in the past few years? – There are a few main ones I have noticed in the last few years. We’re seeing that the newer product lines have a better warranty and are made with better materials than ever before. Also, the cost difference of wood versus a low-maintenance product is getting noticeably less dramatic as lumber costs continue to rise. Not that I don’t love a nice cedar deck, but it makes it difficult to justify using wood anymore with the maintenance involved.

How about the changes in your company? – Looking back on the last five years, Decks Unlimited has grown tremendously. We began operating out of the company truck and today, we’ve become Lincoln’s premier deck builder and material retailer. We went from being a two-man operation to the team of professionals we have today, and now have an official storefront and showroom near 1st street and south street, located at 117 Harwood Ct.

What do you see happening with the business in the next five years? – Looking forward to the next five years, we have established a few goals. The number one goal is to become as efficient as possible with all aspects of the company. The second is to spread knowledge about the difference of materials and importance of quality installation. Third is to become Lincoln’s one-stop shop for everything deck-related and to be the company that comes to mind first when anyone in our community thinks of decks.