As a lifelong resident of “The First State,” Dave Lyons has a genuine interest in seeing its communities thrive, which is why he puts forth so much effort and attention to detail into every outdoor living project he oversees as the owner of Archadeck of Delaware. But another aspect to caring about one’s hometown is having compassion for unfortunate people who need a helping hand, and Lyons is eager to assist in that regard as well.

He has become an ardent supporter of Friendship House, a Wilmington-based organization offering a variety of programs to those experiencing homelessness. Lyons not only makes financial contributions, but also will sometimes drop off items like socks or boxes of coffee, and for any client who asks, he will donate a portion of the proceeds from their project.

“They are a nonprofit that doesn’t get any government money and relies completely on donations,” he says. “They try to help homeless people get back on their feet. They have some temporary housing, but they don’t just give them handouts—the goal is to help the homeless people reenter the workforce and be a good, functioning person in society. I feel that is a worthwhile cause so I’ve done some work for them and try to give back as much as I can.”

Lyons has the same type of passion for his profession, which is only natural considering he’s spent his entire life around construction and home improvement. He is the son of a general contractor and would often accompany his dad on jobs, and had also worked in his family’s hardware store before eventually becoming the lead project manager for a large residential construction firm.

Since starting the local franchise of the national Archadeck brand—he also owns and operates DNA Roofing—Lyons has found great joy from giving customers a brand-new, beautiful outdoor space in which they can make memories with their families, or from updating and fortifying an older existing deck.

“I feel like I’m helping people out, either by being able to build them something they always wanted and couldn’t imagine, or being able to fix a problem that they haven’t been able to get fixed,” he says.

Lyons stresses that he’s not in business to “make a ton of money,” but rather to take on fun projects that deliver on the homeowner’s vision. To that end, his company’s process begins with a lengthy consultation in the client’s home so they can get a feel for one another. Sometimes, it’s not the right fit—as in a recent meeting where a potential customer pushed Lyons to build a deck that did not meet current code.

“That was an extreme situation, but I need them to be comfortable with me and I need to be comfortable with them,” he says. “I’m not going to build something without a permit or risk my license. It usually works itself out in the end, but it’s a process I go through to see if we’re compatible personality-wise.”

Once a strong working relationship is established with the client, he starts creating a design that includes their wants and needs while keeping in mind their budget. Features like grand steps or unique sizes and shapes will drive the price tag up, which Lyons is always transparent about.

Then there’s the material, which can also impact the cost and the durability of the deck. Lyons prefers composite from TimberTech and Azek, two companies he has a solid history with.

“I’m open to whatever they want to use, but I have my preferences as to what I’d want to use, and most likely my choices are going to be less expensive than what the homeowner might pick,” he says. “If you want to use some exotic hardwood from Brazil, that’s fine, but it’s probably going to cost more money than a composite deck.”

Any of the amenities a customer wants may be included, from outdoor kitchens to stone fireplaces, and Lyons is usually asked to tackle complex projects that combine a deck and a porch or a deck and a patio. Compared to fly-by-night companies, his is fully insured and offers a warranty backed by a third party, meaning if anything happens to his franchise or Archadeck as a whole, the project is guaranteed to be completed or the customer is reimbursed.

Put all of those factors together and it’s no wonder that Lyons’ schedule is already nearly filled up. He encourages those looking for a new space to act quickly.

“If you think you want to have this before the summer, you need to pull the trigger in the next couple of weeks, or else it’s not going to happen unless you find somebody who has no backlog,” he says. “There’s a reason why people are like that and it’s usually not a good one.”

Archadeck of Delaware
Wilmington
(302) 455-2426
Archadeck.com/delaware

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 2 (January/February 2025)
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