Stephanie explained that she came across the contest online earlier this year while she was researching backyard patio and deck options for the 1950s-built ranch home that they bought a few years ago. The Archadeck Outdoor Living contest offered a grand prize of a $70,000 backyard makeover that includes a deck and patio component.
Although not one to enter contests, Stephanie entered, and the couple was among six finalists chosen from among the 1,700 entries.
For their entry, Stephanie submitted a photo of their backyard and described her vision for the backyard. She wanted a living space where the couple could entertain and where their toddler, Tucker, could play. The couple is expecting a second child at the end of this month.
Stephanie said that after the six finalists were selected, both Archadeck company representatives and people on Facebook voted for the winner. The company representatives’ vote accounted for 80 percent of the vote, while Facebook votes accounted for 20 percent.
While the couple’s entry was posted online, Stephanie said she and her husband had no idea how people were voting.
“The winner was supposed to be announced on May 6, and we didn’t hear anything that whole week,” she said. It wasn’t until Friday, May 17, that she finally received a call from an Archadeck representative.
That’s when she learned that she and her husband had tied for the second place prize, a deck valued at $7,000.
“My husband and I are laughing because we’ve never won anything, not even a candy bar,” she said.
Tim Stephens of Archadeck of West Central and Southwest Ohio in Waynesville met with the couple to photograph the backyard and house and discuss deck options with the couple.
“He’s working on the design right now,” Stephanie said. “He seems to think he can meet our needs.”
The deck is expected to be completed later this summer.
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