About ELC
The story of The Exterior Living Company begins long before it opened its doors. Alex Chekanoff worked as a carpenter building furniture in Yugoslavia before immigrating to Akron, Ohio in the 1960s. His son, future ELC Owner, Mike Chekanoff, was "born with a hammer in [his] hand" and has been building things ever since.
Growing up, Mike got the kind of education that trade schools can only hope to replicate. From a young age, he got started building decks, running appointments, handling licensing and absorbing every aspect of the business alongside his father. It is precisely this early, ground-up learning experience that spurred Mike on to four long and successful decades in the industry.
In 2024, it was time to embrace the next challenge. Inspired to build on the multi-generational dynamic that brought him to where he is today, Mike launched his own operation — a true family business. The Exterior Living Company now spans three generations and serves Central Ohio as a highly regarded name in the world of residential outdoor living spaces.
Process
5 Steps to the Outdoor Living Space of Your Dreams
Schedule Appointment
Complete our contact form to get the ball rolling. Once you submit, you'll be prompted to schedule an in-home appointment, where we'll discuss your vision and evaluate your space firsthand.
In-Home Consultation
During our in-home visit, we discuss various design options and other possibilities tailored to your lifestyle, ensuring your goals and ideas remain at the foundation of all future project plans.
Personalized Estimate
Based on the consultation, we will provide a detailed, no-obligation estimate. Should you choose to move forward, we’ll establish expectations, determine a clear timeline, and sign the standard contract.
Preparation & Installation
At this point, our experienced team will handle all material ordering, permit acquisition, and installation scheduling. From there, we break ground on the project with a constant focus on delivering exquisite craftsmanship.
Finalization & The ELC Pledge
After installation, we'll conduct a comprehensive quality check and manage any and all required inspections. With the ELC Pledge, your continued satisfaction is a guarantee, ensuring total peace of mind along with the completion of your brand new outdoor living space.
The ELC Pledge
“We pledge to always honor the trust placed in our team through a commitment to consistency, craftsmanship, and integrity as we design, build, and follow up on projects around our Central Ohio community.”
Frequently Asked Questions
About ELC
We serve Franklin and the surrounding Ohio counties.
ELC is a third-generation, family owned and operated team of deck and patio room professionals. As locally born and raised graduates of Olentangy and OSU, our Central Ohio roots run deep. That's part of why we love getting to know our customers (and they're pets) so much! Our fully bonded and insured team closely adheres to the Ohio Revised Code of Deck Building Standards to guarantee your new outdoor living feature remains safe, sturdy, and downright stunning for years to come.
Warranty
We offer a five-year structural warranty on all of our builds. Additional manufacturer warranties may apply. Vinyl windows and doors carry lifetime manufacturer warranties. Provia and Azek product warranties typically run between 30 and 50 years.
The ELC Pledge is as follows:
"We pledge to always honor the trust placed in our team through a commitment to the core operational values of consistency, craftsmanship, and integrity as we quote, design, build, and follow up on projects around our Central Ohio community."
New Decks
We build pressure-treated decks, hybrid decks (pressure-treated decks with aluminum railing), composite decks, PVC decks, and hardwood decks (Brazilian, redwood, cedar, etc.).
Yes.
Depending on the project dimensions, materials, and features, decks typically range in price from $15k to $45k.
There are three main differences between composite and pressure-treated decks: lifespan, maintenance, and affordability. Where pressure-treated decks provide a certain aesthetic at a lower initial cost, composite decks have a greater lifespan, lower maintenance, and the potential to increase in value over time.
From start to finish, a new deck project takes approximately six to eight weeks. This timeline accounts for the permit process and average waitlist times. Once our crew breaks ground, the deck should be finished in approximately one to two weeks.
New Sunrooms
We build on both decks and slab foundations, depending on the situation and your needs.
Depending on the project dimensions, materials, and features, a typical sunroom costs $50-85k.
Deck Resurfacing
Almost always, yes. However, your deck’s framing must be sound. If this isn't the case, that's okay. We can often correct warped framing to allow for resurfacing.
The process of resurfacing a deck can be divided into four essential steps.
- Remove all existing decking, railing, stairs, and apron.
- Inspect the framing, framing spacing, fasteners, flashing, and connection to the main home for signs of rot.
- Update or add items as needed.
- Install deck joist tape on all skyward surfaces to extend the lifespan of your existing framing.
Depending on the project dimensions, materials, and features, a typical deck resurfacing project costs $10-35k.
To make this evaluation, a decking professional needs to look at a variety of factors, including post quantity and placement, beam sizes and placement, joist spans and spacing, and the quality of all connections and fasteners.
An ELC crew member can assess your existing framing, determine if the deck is a candidate for resurfacing, explain your options, and advise you on an ideal time to resurface or replace.
Sunroom Renovation
Yes.
The process of renovating a sunroom begins with permit acquisition. Once that's in order, field measurements and product purchasing precede demolition and hauling. From that point, it's all down to handling any necessary electricity or framing alterations and then installing windows, doors, insulation, and all interior and exterior finishes.
The price of sunroom renovation work can vary dramatically. Simple projects often come in under $10k, but more elaborate large-scale projects can reach up around $80k.
Yes.
Service
Simply contact our office. We will then schedule a visit to assess the situation and schedule any necessary work.
Call ELC or contact us via our website.