{"id":991469,"date":"2026-08-06T13:57:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/martha-stewart-on-why-the-right-builder-makes-all-the-difference\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T13:57:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T17:57:12","slug":"martha-stewart-on-why-the-right-builder-makes-all-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/martha-stewart-on-why-the-right-builder-makes-all-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Martha Stewart On Why The Right Builder Makes All The Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nLifestyle icon draws on her own experiences with Trex\u00ae to help homeowners make confident decisions when choosing a professional deck builder
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WINCHESTER, Va., Aug. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Martha Stewart has tackled enough renovation projects to know that every successful home improvement begins with one critical decision: choosing the right contractor. It\u2019s advice she recently followed herself when partnering* with\u00a0Trex Company<\/a> to transform an outdoor living space at her Bedford, New York, farm. Pleased with the results, she\u2019s now using Trex again at her coastal retreat in Seal Harbor, Maine.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery renovation begins with finding the right team,\u201d said Stewart. \u201cGreat contractors don\u2019t just build, they help shape the design, solve problems before they happen and execute every detail beautifully. My experience with the Trex team and TrexPro\u00ae<\/sup> contractors made choosing Trex again for my home in Maine an easy decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stewart relied on members of the TrexPro<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> network<\/a> of recommended deck builders for both projects. NJ Decks and Outdoor Living<\/a>, a TrexPro\u00ae<\/sup> Platinum builder, led construction in Bedford, while Professional Building Services<\/a>, another Platinum-level builder, is overseeing the Maine installation.<\/p>\n

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\n A Backyard Retreat in Bedford<\/u>
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Stewart\u2019s first project transformed the outdoor living space at \u201cThe Maple Avenue House,\u201d a renovated 1970s ranch-style guest house on her Bedford farm. Designed as a seamless extension of the home, the expansive deck features Trex Transcend<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> Lineage<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> decking<\/a> in Salt Flat accented by Trex Select<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> Aluminum Railing<\/a> in Burnished Bronze, and a custom Trex<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> Pergola<\/a> that supports climbing vines while providing welcome shade.<\/p>\n

To bring her vision to life, Stewart partnered with NJ Decks & Outdoor Living, relying on the team\u2019s planning, engineering and installation expertise. One notable challenge involved designing around a mature tree she was determined to preserve, transforming it into a defining feature of the finished deck.<\/p>\n

\u201cMartha had a clear vision and an incredible eye for detail,\u201d said Judy Verblaauw, owner of NJ Decks & Outdoor Living. \u201cOur job was to translate that vision into a deck built for long-term beauty, performance and durability. The collaboration made every decision intentional.\u201d<\/p>\n

During construction, Stewart frequently stopped by to check progress and even treated the crew to homemade peach cobbler and pomegranate lemonade.<\/p>\n

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\n A Modern Makeover in Maine<\/u>
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Stewart is now transforming her coastal retreat in Seal Harbor, Maine, where Professional Building Services is replacing two aging wood decks with a more cohesive outdoor living space.\u00a0The project includes Trex Transcend<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> Lineage<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> decking<\/a> in Biscayne, black Trex Select<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> Aluminum Railing<\/a>, Trex<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> Fascia<\/a> and custom-wrapped posts and beams. In addition to updating the home\u2019s aesthetic, the redesign brings the decks into compliance with current building codes while creating a more functional layout.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis project required much more than replacing old decks,\u201d said Jordan Ciaraldi, co-president and owner of Professional Building Services. \u201cWe\u2019re reimagining the entire outdoor space, bringing it up to current code while creating a design that feels cohesive with the home and its surroundings. Martha has a clear vision, and our job is to bring that vision to life with craftsmanship, careful planning and attention to every detail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMartha values organization, efficiency and precision, so working together was a natural fit,\u201d added Joe Ciaraldi, co-president and owner of Professional Building Services. \u201cFrom the very first conversation, there was a high level of trust and collaboration between our teams. That\u2019s what every successful project is built on. When homeowners and contractors communicate openly and work toward the same vision, the entire process is smoother and the finished result is even better.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Tips for Finding the Right Contractor<\/u>
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Based on her recent renovation experiences, Stewart offers five tips for choosing the right decking contractor:<\/p>\n