Dan Stendeback – Valer Builders on NADRA Awards & Outdoor Living Innovation | F&D Mastery Podcast#56

Dan Stendeback's award-winning project was a roughly 1,200-square-foot rooftop deck spanning two combined Georgetown townhouses, where the crew engineered a pedestal frame to level TimberTech decking over an uneven surface, with the Washington Monument on one side and the Rosslyn skyline on the other.

Operating in Fairfax County, Virginia — whose 'typical deck detail' underpins deck codes across some 38 states — Dan notes that if you can pull a permit there, you can build almost anywhere in the country.

He sells consultatively rather than pushing a close, painting a picture of what an outdoor space could become — two-tone contrast, screened areas, pergolas with drop screens — and letting the informed client make the decision.

Dan leads with aluminum framing under PVC decking for long-term structural integrity, and stresses protecting wood frames with picture-framing, moisture-barrier tape and wrapped posts so a composite deck doesn't outlive its rotting substructure.

He credits daily meditation, prayer, reading and manifestation for his growth, visualizing the win so vividly he could feel the plaque in his hand before taking second place in the alternative deck (35-and-under) category.

Dan frames real competition as existing only 'at the bottom,' treating other builders, distributors and brands as collaborators, and credits NADRA's authentic leadership and Legacy deck trainings as a major advantage.

Founded in May 2022, Valor Builders spans everything from board repairs and safety inspections up to $100K-$250K design-build projects, relying on long-trusted specialist crews, hyper-detailed proposals and JobTread to keep production aligned.