The Challenge
This Hopkins home came to us with a deck that was simply falling apart — broken boards, a rotted structure, and an entry door that wouldn't open or close. But once we pulled the siding back, the real problem revealed itself: the house sill was completely rotted, the structure had settled, and there was evidence of a previous fire that left charred boards hidden behind the wall. What looked like a deck job turned into a full structural repair.
Our Approach
We weren't willing to cover up what we found. The right fix meant raising the house, replacing every rotted and fire-damaged board, and rebuilding from solid material out. We framed out a proper opening for a new Thermatru exterior door, fabricated custom flashing to seal everything correctly, reinstalled Exterior Portfolio siding, and finished with a freestanding Cedartone deck built with adequate footings and support — no shortcuts.
Work Completed
- Raised settled section of the house structure
- Removed and replaced fully rotted house sill
- Removed charred framing boards from previous fire damage
- Provided new framing for entry door opening
- Installed Thermatru exterior door
- Fabricated and installed custom flashing
- Replaced siding with Exterior Portfolio siding
- Built freestanding deck with proper footings and support
- Installed Cedartone decking throughout
The Transformation
What started as a deteriorating deck ended as a structurally sound, properly built entry to this Hopkins home. The hidden rot and fire damage that another contractor might have buried are gone — replaced with solid materials done right. The homeowner now has a safe, functional entry, a new door that actually works, and a deck built to last through Michigan's seasons.
Hiring a contractor? Stay involved. Pay attention to what your contractor is doing and check in on your project. A good contractor won't hide problems — they'll show you what they found and explain why fixing it properly matters. That's exactly what we did here.