Deck By Design is a design-build firm dedicated to crafting outdoor environments defined by architectural coherence, refined aesthetics, and enduring structural quality. We serve homeowners who value thoughtful design, disciplined craftsmanship, and a client experience marked by clarity and professionalism.
Exceptional outdoor spaces emerge from a process rooted in clarity, creativity, and technical skill. Our approach begins with understanding your home’s architecture and the way you envision enjoying your outdoor space. From there, we design structures that feel purposeful, timeless, and tailored to your lifestyle.
Every project is guided by a singular promise: To deliver a refined experience, transparent communication, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
We’ve created a simple, transparent process to guide you from idea to reality. Your dream deck awaits.
Reach out by email, text, or phone, and we’ll guide you through the estimate questionnaire.
We’ll provide a rough estimate, and if it fits your budget, we can proceed to the next step.
We’ll schedule an appointment to discuss your needs, style, and budget at your home.
Within 16 days, receive a detailed quote according to the service you’re looking for.
We’ll adjust the quote until it aligns with your vision and budget.
Ready to proceed? We’ll meet to finalize the project scope and share the 3D model of your dream deck.
Deck By Design was founded at the intersection of freedom, creativity, and disciplined craftsmanship.
From an early age, Gabriel was drawn to design. As a child, he spent hours sketching and drawing, instinctively thinking like an artist. While the traditional path of an artist didn’t seem sustainable, he discovered something rare: Deck design and construction as a functional art form—one that allows creativity to flourish while earning an honest, sustainable living.
Growing up in the East 55th and St. Clair neighborhood instilled in Gabriel a deep drive to build a better life—one rooted in stability, quality, and intention. That drive ultimately became the foundation of Deck By Design: A company dedicated not merely to building decks, but to creating thoughtfully designed outdoor structures that elevate homes, lifestyles, and communities.
Gabriel’s approach to building has evolved significantly over time. What began as a green apprentice—learning the basics, fetching tools, and absorbing the trade—has grown into one of the most comprehensive and design-driven consultation processes in the region.
Today, Gabriel personally designs every single project using professional-grade SketchUp Pro 3D modeling technology. This allows him to create complex inlays, unique deck geometries, pavilions, and fully integrated outdoor living spaces—often working seamlessly around existing structures to ensure each design fits the home and landscape naturally.
While Gabriel firmly believes in “giving people what they want,” he also understands a deeper truth:
Gabriel is not only a business owner—he is also a consumer. And as a consumer, he has little tolerance for poor communication, unclear expectations, or feeling unheard.
At Deck By Design, communication is not an afterthought—it is the product.
Clients can expect:
Gabriel believes customers should feel heard, understood, and confident at every stage of the process. His philosophy is simple: Serve first, deliver excellence, and do more than what is required.
With an innate attention to detail and a relentless pursuit of quality, Gabriel holds his work to standards above industry norms. While perfection belongs to God alone, he believes it is humanity’s duty to strive for excellence—especially when building structures meant to endure.
Blemishes, shortcuts, and avoidable errors have no place in his craft.
Gabriel has a particular passion for high-end custom outdoor living projects—from intricate inlays to large attached pavilions and fully integrated backyard environments that involve collaboration with other skilled trades for fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and architectural features.
Outside of work, he is deeply committed to personal growth. His interests include weightlifting, calisthenics, boxing, and reading; all of which reflect his belief that improving oneself increases the value one brings to the marketplace.
For Gabriel, Deck By Design is more than a business.
Maria Haase is more than just a part of Deck By Design—she is the quiet strength that keeps the entire operation running smoothly. As Gabriel’s trusted consigliere, she brings a level of dedication, precision, and care that is the backbone of the business.
Maria’s role is multifaceted. She ensures that every permit is pulled, every piece of paperwork is in order, and that all the countless logistical details are handled with meticulous care. In short, she takes on the operational responsibilities that allow Gabriel to focus entirely on designing and building.
While she once worked side-by-side with Gabriel in the field, Maria transitioned to a leadership role behind the scenes after they welcomed their child. She’s the one who proofreads every email, double-checks every quote, and ensures that Deck By Design always presents a polished, professional image.
What Maria enjoys most is working quietly in the background, supporting Gabriel and watching him grow. She prefers to let others take the spotlight while she ensures that everything runs seamlessly. It’s her blend of organizational skill, quiet dedication, and love for her family that truly defines her role.
Beyond the business, Maria is an active, vibrant person who loves hiking in the park, spending time with their daughter, and dreams of the ocean even though Ohio is home. She enjoys staying active, lifting weights, and living a healthy lifestyle. Together, she and Gabriel form a partnership that balances front-line creativity with behind-the-scenes excellence, making Deck By Design a true family-driven endeavor.
Winston “Winnie” Thomas-Greaves serves as an Expert Advisor and the Lead Fence Installer of the Deck By Design Fence Division. While his hands build the work, his mind guides it—ensuring every project is approached with intention, precision, and respect for the homeowner.
Winston has been working in construction since 2010. Immediately after graduating from St. Ignatius, he entered the trades as a roof-walker and went on to gain experience across multiple facets of carpentry and remodeling. Over time, his path led him to outdoor construction, where he found his true specialty: High-quality, structurally sound, and thoughtfully designed fencing systems.
What distinguishes Winston is not only his technical experience, but his outlook. He has always enjoyed working with his hands—digging, building, shaping the ground into something purposeful. That early instinct matured into a craft rooted in discipline and service. Meeting Gabriel and joining Deck By Design gave Winston the opportunity to refine his carpentry skills while also growing personally, embracing a philosophy of being a “man for others”—bringing care, humility, and integrity into his work.
Winston especially enjoys meeting new people and traveling throughout Northeast Ohio as part of the job. While he doesn’t often travel in his personal life, he considers it a privilege to see the beauty of the state through his work and to help homeowners transform their properties into spaces they’re proud of.
At Deck By Design, Winston values the company’s commitment to relationships as much as results. Projects aren’t treated as transactions—customers become friends, and every fence or deck is built with the long view in mind: Durability, beauty, and trust.
Outside of work, Winston is rarely alone—his constant companion is Maynard, a 150-pound Presa Canario Mastiff, and his best friend.
With over a decade of experience, a steady hand, and a principled approach, Winston brings both expertise and character to every project he touches—making him an essential part of the Deck By Design team.
Jacob “Jake” Kitchen serves as a Deck Builder and Project Lead at Deck By Design, bringing over a decade of hands-on construction experience to every project he oversees.
Jake has always been drawn to working with his hands and building things that last. His path into construction began through direct, real-world experience, where he quickly developed a strong appreciation for quality craftsmanship and durable design. Over time, his skills and reliability naturally grew into leadership—guiding projects from concept to completion and working directly with homeowners to ensure every detail is executed properly.
What Jake enjoys most is watching a project come together from start to finish. Turning ideas into functional, well-built outdoor spaces that families can enjoy is where he takes the greatest pride. He understands that a deck isn’t just a structure—it’s an extension of the home, and it should be built with care, precision, and intention.
Known for his detail-oriented mindset and problem-solving ability, Jake approaches each build methodically. Whether addressing site conditions, layout challenges, or finishing details, he is committed to doing things right the first time. His calm, steady presence on site helps keep projects organized, efficient, and aligned with Deck By Design’s standards.
Jake believes what truly sets Deck By Design apart is its refusal to cut corners. From craftsmanship to communication, every project is treated as if it were being built for one’s own home. That shared commitment to quality, transparency, and pride in workmanship is what makes the team—and the finished product—stand out.
Outside of work, Jake enjoys staying busy with hands-on projects and spending time with his family, carrying the same practical, thoughtful approach into his personal life that he brings to the job site.
With more than ten years in construction and a strong sense of responsibility for every project he leads, Jake is a trusted part of the Deck By Design team—helping deliver outdoor spaces built to last.