For Isaac Miller, owner of Michiana Backyard Builders, the creation of durable, handcrafted outdoor structures is more than just a job—it’s a legacy. The company specializes in custom timber frame pavilions, pergolas, and decks that blend timeless craftsmanship with lasting beauty. Using mortise and tenon joinery, a traditional woodworking technique dating back centuries, Miller and his team construct backyard structures that are not only visually stunning but also built to last, ensuring the security and confidence of their clients.
“I bought the business in 2023 from my brother-in-law’s dad, who started it back in 1995,” Miller says. “We’ve carried on the tradition of using solid cedar timbers and the same mortise and tenon methods that made these structures so reliable to begin with.”
That commitment to traditional building methods sets Michiana Backyard Builders apart. Mortise and tenon joinery involves interlocking wood components and fastening them with wooden pegs, resulting in a strong and long-lasting bond that relies on natural materials rather than metal hardware. Though this process is more labor-intensive, Miller says it’s worth the investment. “It’s definitely a better, longer-lasting way of doing it,” he says. “It makes for a much more solid structure.”
The company also offers alternatives for clients seeking more budget-conscious options, such as pavilion kits assembled with Simpson brackets. “Some people are surprised by the cost,” Miller says. “We use solid cedar timber, which is a premium material, and that, combined with the mortise and tenon work, can push the price up. But those who want quality, lasting craftsmanship understand the value.”
Although Michiana Backyard Builders once served a wider variety of commercial clients, including churches, zoos, and park departments, the business now focuses primarily on custom residential work. “We used to do more commercial jobs,” Miller says. “But now we’re more in the retail side, working directly with homeowners. We also partner with some local contractors, cutting out custom pavilion kits for them to install.”
Despite the shift in clientele, Michiana Backyard Builders remains unwavering in the quality and character of their work. Each project begins with a conversation, a testament to the company’s adaptability. “Most customers come in with a good idea of what they want because they’ve seen what we specialize in,” Miller says. “Others are looking for inspiration, and we help design something unique for them. Once we have the design, I get them a price and we go from there.” This adaptability reassures potential clients that their unique needs will be met.
While decks and pergolas are popular, pavilions make up the largest share of the company’s current projects. Gazebos, once a staple of backyard design, have all but fallen out of fashion. “Gazebos just aren’t in demand anymore,” Miller says. “Even our dealers have stopped carrying them. Everyone’s switching to pavilions and pergolas.”
Summer is the company’s busiest season, with crews working steadily through the fall and even into the winter months, weather permitting. “We slow down a little in the winter, but we’re usually in production most of the year,” Miller says. “We just took a short break over the Fourth of July, but otherwise we’re going strong.”
Despite changing trends, Miller remains steadfast in the company’s core values of quality and integrity, which have built its reputation over the past three decades. “We’re not doing the full outdoor living spaces—just the structures themselves,” he says. “We take care of the pavilion or pergola and the concrete base it sits on. We leave the hardscaping and patios to others.” This commitment to quality and integrity reassures potential clients that they are in good hands.
With craftsmanship at its core and a growing number of satisfied homeowners throughout the region, Michiana Backyard Builders continues to carve its legacy into the Midwest landscape—one solid beam at a time. This dedication to the craft not only ensures the highest quality but also inspires and excites potential clients about the possibilities for their outdoor spaces. Their structures are not just enhancements—they are centerpieces built to stand the test of time. Michiana Backyard Builders ensures that creating your dream backyard is more accessible than ever.
