Anyone here worked with deck builders in Bloomingdale, IL? Looking for honest recommendations (or horror stories)

Hey neighbors, I’m in Bloomingdale and thinking about finally redoing my backyard deck next spring. The wood is rotting in places, a few boards are warped, and the whole thing just screams 1990s weekend project gone wrong. I’ve been Googling deck builders in Bloomingdale but man… every company claims they’re “the #1 rated,” “family-owned,” “five-star,” and “trusted for 20 years.” It’s impossible to tell who’s legit anymore.

If you’ve actually hired someone local, how was your experience? Did they stick to the quote, show up on time, and pull all the right permits? I’m willing to pay for quality, but I don’t want to end up chasing someone for weeks while my backyard looks like a construction zone. Any names to recommend (or avoid) would be seriously appreciated. I’m looking for honest reviews, not marketing fluff.

Been there. I live right off Lake St. in Bloomingdale and went through the deck contractor circus last summer. Half the people I called either ghosted me or gave “ballpark quotes” that changed overnight. The one company that actually pulled through for me was Royal Deck. They’re local, based around the western suburbs, and handled my rebuild like pros: permits, materials, everything. You can check them out here: https://myroyaldeck.com/service-areas-illinois/deck-builders-bloomingdale/. They’re not the cheapest, but they did solid work and didn’t disappear once the last check cleared. The foreman even came back a few weeks later to make sure the stain cured properly. That’s rare. Get multiple quotes, don’t fall for “we can start tomorrow” guys, and make sure whoever you hire knows the Bloomingdale permit process (it’s a headache). Royal Deck is worth a call if you want someone reputable.