VoyageLA recently sat down with our founder, Michael Gabso, to discuss the journey that built MG Construction & Decks into one of Los Angeles’s top-rated outdoor living specialists.
The conversation covered everything from starting in construction at sixteen to the challenges of completing over 1,000 projects, the partnership that drives our family business, and what really sets our approach apart in a crowded contractor market.
You can read the full interview on VoyageLA, but we wanted to share some highlights and context that didn’t make it into the feature.
Starting Earlier Than Most
One detail that often surprises people: Michael didn’t discover construction in his twenties or pivot from another career. He started building at sixteen years old, learning hands-on from a third-generation contractor background that emphasized genuine craftsmanship over shortcuts.
By twenty-two, he was running crews on large-scale commercial projects abroad. That international experience taught more than advanced building techniques; it developed the discipline and leadership style that now defines how we manage projects. Working in fast-paced environments where delays had real consequences and precision wasn’t optional shaped fundamental approaches to scheduling, quality control, and client communication.
The global perspective from those years still influences every project we take on. Different building traditions, material approaches, and client expectations across various markets gave Michael insights that most LA-based contractors never develop. When you’ve solved construction challenges in multiple countries with different codes and standards, you bring a broader problem-solving toolkit to every new backyard transformation.
The Partnership Behind the Projects
The VoyageLA interview touches on how Melissa and Michael met while both living abroad, but what that partnership means for how projects actually run deserves more explanation.
Melissa’s role isn’t ceremonial or limited to back-office work. She oversees project coordination and client communication, which means you’re working with someone who understands both the construction process and the homeowner perspective. This matters more than you might think in an industry where communication breakdowns cause most problems.
When clients need updates, have questions about material selections, or want to discuss timeline adjustments, they’re talking with Melissa, someone who knows the project intimately and can make decisions without endless back-and-forth or waiting for callbacks. You’re not left decoding contractor-speak or wondering why no one’s responding to your texts.
This family-owned structure creates accountability that’s difficult to replicate in larger firms where projects get assigned to whoever’s available that month. Your project isn’t just another job in the queue; it represents our reputation in a community where referrals drive growth.
What “Over 1,000 Projects” Actually Means
The interview mentions we’ve completed more than 1,000 projects throughout Los Angeles. That number represents more than volume; it’s institutional knowledge that directly benefits current clients.
Every challenge encountered, from unexpected soil conditions to material shortages to evolving client needs and coordination complexities, forced process improvements. Better communication systems. More efficient building methods. Smarter material choices based on real-world performance rather than manufacturer claims.
Current clients benefit from lessons learned across hundreds of previous projects. The scheduling system that keeps your project on track was developed by analyzing where delays typically occur. The material selections Michael recommends for deck construction are informed by seeing how different products actually perform in Southern California’s climate over years, not just reading spec sheets.
When you’re planning a significant backyard investment, working with contractors who’ve encountered most challenges before means you’re not the guinea pig for experimental solutions on your $150,000 outdoor renovation.
The In-House Difference
The interview explains our integrated approach, but the practical implications deserve emphasis because this structure eliminates the most common contractor frustrations homeowners face.
Most backyard transformations involve juggling multiple subcontractors. Your deck builder doesn’t handle electrical. The plumber doesn’t coordinate with the landscaper. The general contractor spends half their time chasing down trades and hoping everyone shows up when scheduled.
We eliminated that entire headache. Our crew handles everything from framing to electrical and plumbing to landscaping and hardscaping. When the same team manages all construction aspects, communication flows naturally, quality stays consistent, and accountability is crystal clear.
This integrated approach means you’re not waiting for the electrician to finish before the deck crew can return. The team coordinates internally, adjusting schedules fluidly without requiring your input or approval for every minor timing shift. Projects move faster because there’s no downtime between trades, and quality stays higher because the crew takes ownership of the complete result rather than just their isolated portion.
Daily On-Site Project Management
Here’s where we differ most from typical contractors: every project includes a dedicated project manager who’s present daily. Not checking in occasionally or responding to texts when convenient; actually on-site, managing work and available to address questions as they arise.
This person becomes your single point of contact, eliminating the confusion of trying to reach the right crew member or waiting for callbacks. When issues come up (and they always do on construction projects), they’re addressed in real-time rather than discovered during walk-throughs days later.
For homeowners who’ve dealt with contractors before, this daily presence represents a fundamentally different experience. You know what’s happening, when the next phase starts, and who to call when you have questions. The uncertainty and communication gaps that typically stress homeowners during renovations simply don’t exist.
Design Vision From Concept Through Completion
The VoyageLA piece mentions Michael’s eye for design, but what that means for your project deserves more context. Every project begins with his personal attention, not a junior designer or templated approach with minor customization.
This matters because outdoor living spaces require understanding how people actually use their backyards. A pool that looks beautiful in renderings but doesn’t account for your property’s sun exposure patterns or sight lines fails functionally. A deck placed according to standard approaches might miss opportunities to integrate with indoor living spaces or create natural traffic flow.
Michael’s involvement ensures design decisions consider both aesthetics and livability. The goal isn’t just creating Instagram-worthy spaces; it’s building outdoor areas that work for how your family actually lives and entertains.
After three decades of designing and building outdoor spaces throughout Los Angeles, Michael understands material performance in our climate, how elevations affect usability, which design choices remain timeless versus trendy, and how to maximize property value while creating spaces you’ll actually use.
Growth Through Learning
When asked about challenges in the VoyageLA interview, Michael explained how every obstacle became a learning opportunity. That philosophy shapes our approach to continuous improvement.
We could have scaled faster by compromising on quality or switching to subcontractor models that prioritize volume over craftsmanship. Instead, growth has been deliberate and organic, driven by reputation and referrals rather than aggressive marketing.
Maintaining top ratings year after year in a market as demanding as Los Angeles requires consistently delivering quality work and smooth experiences. The recognition from HGTV, Sunset Magazine, Dream Magazine, and Netflix validates our design approach and craftsmanship, but the real measure of success is simpler: clients trust us enough to refer friends and family, knowing their reputation is on the line with those recommendations.
What We’re Known For
As Michael explains in the interview, MG Construction & Decks specializes in high-end backyard transformations throughout the Los Angeles area. Our work includes custom decks, pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, landscaping, hardscaping, and complete outdoor renovations.
The focus is creating integrated outdoor living spaces that feel like natural extensions of your home rather than separate areas. This requires understanding material transitions, elevation changes, traffic patterns, and how outdoor spaces connect visually with interior rooms.
A well-designed deck doesn’t just provide square footage; it creates a genuine room that happens to be outside. Proper planning addresses everything from shade management and privacy screening to built-in seating that encourages conversation rather than just accommodating guests.
Outdoor kitchen projects go beyond installing appliances. The best designs consider equipment performance in outdoor conditions, proper ventilation for built-in grills, counter layouts that actually work for food preparation, and how the cooking area integrates with dining and lounging spaces.
These details only come from extensive experience building outdoor spaces and seeing how families use them over time. Textbook knowledge doesn’t teach you which design choices homeowners appreciate five years later versus which seemed clever initially but proved impractical.
Why the Story Matters
The VoyageLA interview captures something important about how we approach construction: this isn’t just a business built on technical skills and efficient systems. It’s the natural extension of decades of learning, traveling, building, and growing together as partners.
Every project reflects that history, from the attention to detail to the emphasis on teamwork and accountability. The brand may be known for beautiful outdoor spaces, but behind the scenes, it’s rooted in a lifelong passion for building and a partnership that’s been shaping this work long before the company had a name.
For homeowners considering significant backyard investments, understanding that foundation matters. You’re not hiring a company that assembled a crew last year and learned construction from YouTube tutorials. You’re partnering with people who’ve been building for three decades, who’ve seen every challenge this market presents, and who’ve developed systems that eliminate the typical contractor frustrations.
Read the Full Interview
VoyageLA’s Rising Stars series highlights entrepreneurs and small businesses making an impact in Los Angeles. The full interview covers more about the journey, challenges, and philosophy that built MG Construction & Decks.
If you’re planning a deck renovation, pool installation, outdoor kitchen, or complete backyard transformation in the Los Angeles area, we’d love to discuss your project. The conversation starts with understanding your vision, your property’s specific conditions, and how the space needs to work for your family.
Explore our portfolio and client reviews, or follow current projects on Instagram to see our work and design inspiration.