Check Out Gary Ten Haaf’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Ten Haaf.

Gary, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was working in concrete construction and started to do decks on the side for friends and family. When COVID hit we got shut down and that’s when I did some deck jobs for people. I then started getting multiple phone calls for decks and I was having to turn people away because I did not have the time to do the jobs. That’s when I decided this was God’s calling to do my deck business full time. I put in my two weeks and it has been very busy since. I am now in my 4th year, I have a A+ rating with the BBB and 37 plus 5 star reviews.
I am a certified Deckorators Professional Installer for the past 2.5 years.
I named the company Decks by Vets and More LLC because I wanted to immediately convey trust and confidence from my customers knowing that I will not take their money and run, like some contractors, and that I will have extreme attention to detail. My slogan for the company is “Get the Drill Sergeant Attention to Detail!” I am a Drill Sergeant in the army reserves. I have been in the military since 2006 and will be retiring next year.
I also do fences so that is the “and More” portion.
I always meet with my customers in person so they will know who they will be building their deck and it also builds trust and confidence not just in me but for them as well.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been far from a smooth road. I use to have someone work for me and had to fire them due to theft, so now I do everything myself which includes: home visits, scheduling, material details, material ordering, permit applications, contracts etc.
Figuring this all out on my own has been extremely stressful but extremely rewarding at the same time. Luckily I have had two individuals that have been a great help with any questions I have about decks and pricing. Dan of Coldwater Decks and Design has been such a huge help, he is the one that turned me onto deckorators decking and Sethco lumber. Sethco is my main supplier for materials. Dan has helped me figure out pricing which is extremely difficult to know how much labor to charge.
John Englehard of Englehard construction has also helped me out with pricing and keeps in contact with me if he quotes a deck that I have or will be quoting.
Both of them do not look at me as a competitor, they both have the mindset that we should help each other not fight each other, there are plenty of decks to go around so there is no need to be competitors.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in decks, whether that be composite or wood decks.
I am most proud of the customers that I have. All of my customers have been absolutely amazing.
When a customer says to me “Oh my goodness you have gone way above my expectations!” That is the best compliment I can think of.
What sets me apart from everyone else is that I will not sell a customer something they do not need. I will give them my honest opinion even if that means I make less money or even have to refer them to someone else. I would rather they are happy with someone else than upset that I started the job and was in over my head.

What does success mean to you?
Success to me is the smiles in my children’s face and being able to support my wife and family. I don’t care about making a crap ton of money, that can be made again or taken away very easily. What can never be taken away is the memories I am able to make with my family. God has blessed me in so many ways He gives me success.
God is the only reason that I am successful and I do my best to be thankful and grateful for that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @decksbyvetsandmore
• Facebook: @decksbyvetsandmore