By far one of the worst experiences I've had with a contractor.
We hired them because they were local, and although not the cheapest, I heard their work was good. I believe in patronizing local businesses when I can, and they were literally around the block.
Miguel was the estimator, and he estimated $6900 for the driveway, with an additional $500 for some concrete pan work, which brought the total to $7400. It was a fair price, and we agreed on it. I gave a deposit on June 1st. I was very specific to include some PVC drain replacement (50 feet) once the driveway was torn up.
They came in and removed the old driveway fairly quickly, the second week of June. He then called me back and said the drain PVC replacement was going to be $900 additional. I refused, citing the cost of materials being around $100 tops, and I didn't understand where the additional $800 came from, since it was supposed to be included in the original cost. We settled on $400. He explained that he was going to leave the driveway as just gravel and to drive on it to compact it. He would be back in two to three weeks to finish the job.
I called several times to inquire when they would finish. Didn't get one call back.
The woman in the office kept giving me the run-around, saying that Miguel was the only one that could answer the questions.
At the end of July, two MONTHS after the job was signed, I went to the office to inquire. The younger woman that works there turned to me and said, "I don't know what you're expecting, we aren't going to get to you until at least September. We are backed up with finishing school work before the school year starts. We won't get to you until we are done."
I asked why the job was booked if they didn't have the capacity to complete it, and she didn't have an answer. We finally got a hold of Miguel and he promised the job would be done by August 10th.
It was done on August 10th, two months and ten days after the initial deposit was placed. We were very careful to follow their instructions not to drive on it for several days, and to not turn the wheels of our cars while stationary. But three weeks after the job was done, we moved one of the cars and found a deep imprint in the pavement in the shape of a tire track.
I called Miguel to see if they could heat it and smooth it out. He gave me the run-around for two weeks, continually promising to "send his guys" out to take care of it. After two weeks of waiting, he finally answered the phone and told me he didn't see how it was his problem.
After a phone call to the office, the lady who cashed my check when the job was done said, "Well, once the job is done, that's it for us, we're not responsible."
Bottom line, I have a brand new driveway for $7800 that's soft enough to get tire prints in, but the company won't stand behind their work.
Buyer beware. I regret hiring this company. There are many other paving companies that will do the same job for the same money but not make you feel like you are bothering them.
For $7800, you could at least return phone calls.
Log In
