22 Years on the Tools and a Lifetime on the Lake
My career didn’t start with a business plan
I started 22 years ago with a tape measure and zero knowledge of the carpentry trade. 14 years of work experience under my father taught me everything from the basics of materials to the complexities of shoring up docks and cottages.
I eventually branched out on my own as Zendecks in 2019, focusing on specialized outdoor spaces, and I realized quickly that our clients needed something more.
In 2021, I pivoted to Woodlands Carpentry because my clients were looking for a contractor they could trust, not just with a deck build, but with their entire property needs.
We don’t just work in cottage country, we live here!
When the tools are packed away, we’re out in this landscape doing exactly what you do snowmobiling, quads, ice fishing, and hiking. Because we play, live, and work in this environment, we truly understand what it does to a structure over time. We have seen how frost can shift structures and how the massive ice sheets on our lakes can freeze and thaw, or rip docks apart. As a result, we build specifically for our local environment and the Ontario Building Code.
This extends to the history of Lake of the Woods and the surrounding communities. We have had the privilege of renovating cabins and boathouses from the late 1800s featured at the Kenora Museum, as well as family cottages built in the 60s and 70s.
Woodlands Carpentey is not the one who will tell you to "rip it down and start over" just because it’s easier for us. We know those walls hold generations of memories, and are not afraid of the dirty, hard work it takes to preserve them.
Beyond the carpentry
When we walk away from a project, we aren’t just looking for a 100% happy client. We’re looking to build a long-lasting relationship based on the fact that we did exactly what we said we’d do, right here in the community we both call home.
I started this company to build a culture where a dedicated crew actually enjoys the craft. I’ve always believed that if I take care of my team, they’ll take better care of you. When a crew is proud of their work and respected on the job, it shows at every level