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Dylan Siddle and Mort Neely met while refinishing floors in Neely's mother's home after she relocated to Williamsport from Maryland. The two felt that they worked well together and had a joint vision of starting a wood floor company. As a result, Custom Hardwood by Design LLC, 1415 Mansel Ave., Williamsport, was founded in June of 2021.
Prior to working in flooring, Neely worked with at-risk young people for nearly 30 years. Now Neely works in the trades with his partner Siddle, who has been a lifelong woodworker. They describe themselves as a "unique partnership" as Neely is 52 and Siddle is 30.
"I consider him (Siddle) the craftsman, and myself the apprentice." said Neely. "Dylan's talent, ability, and passion for hardwood is second to none."
Since the start of their business, Siddle and Neely have both become Bona certified, a process that trains professionals to use the Bona system. They have also been able to complete some prestigious projects. In January of 2022 they were contracted to refinish the floors at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland.
Both Siddle and Neely feel a deep appreciation for their home in the Susquehanna Valley. The valley has a deep history and rich legacy in the lumber industry. They also understand that a home is an investment, and wish to help their clients maximize their returns, both in terms of money and happiness.
"Wood floors are considered a 'classically overlooked' feature." shared Siddle and Neely. "Yet wood floors are where there is the highest return on investment, and the greatest degree of happiness. The National Association of Realtors confirmed this in a study done in 2022."
Siddle and Neely said they set out to design a company that can be trusted. They believe that professionalism is in the doing and care about conducting themselves in a manner that is relentlessly ethical. They said they hope to be known for their integrity, as well as their exceptional outcomes with hardwood floors.
"We want to continue to establish a reputation for exceptional service and exceptional outcomes." said Siddle and Neely. When working with clients, the two advocate for clients by educating and empowering them to make informed decisions. "We believe clients should feel an ironclad sense of good faith that they've trusted the right people for the work being done on their home."