We recently hired Eric Kowalski and his company, Earth Concepts LLC, to replace a seawall, replace and enlarge walkways and patios, and create terraced planting beds on our property. The job was begun with great energy and the actual hardscape is acceptable. We did, however, experience several problems which appeared to be the result of Eric leaving the state, with multiple week long absences while work was underway leaving inadequate supervision.
At one point our job was interrupted so that Eric and his crew could do another nearby job despite Eric's initial assurances that he would have his crew dedicated to our job from start to finish.
There was improper attention paid to landscape grading, which resulted in the height of some of the concrete being raised in order to properly cover the base layer of stones under our limestone slabs. This change, in turn, negatively affected the transition to two separate sets of stone stairs which had been previously laid.
Lack of attention to proper grading also played a factor in severe drainage issues which became evident after job completion. Multiple passages with heavy machinery carrying heavy loads over inadequately protected ground created a shallow bowl shape which was not corrected prior to laying new sod. Water was unable to drain from the heavily compacted soil and pooled in the "bowl".
To make things worse, our gutter and downspout drainage system was not adequately protected from heavy machinery being driven over; nor were all the damaged drainage pipes replaced and connected. This, combined with the bowl shape that was created by the heavy machinery, resulted in a serious drainage problem. The drainage was so poor that the grass in the affected area could no longer be cut due to how boggy the soil became, and even our neighbor had difficulty cutting their grass near the property line due to excessive water accumulation.
Prior to commencement of the job our drainage system was independently evaluated and found to be in good working order. The existing condition and location of our underground drainage pipes was discussed with Eric prior to beginning our project.
After project completion Eric was advised of drainage issues and sent out a crew who only partially corrected the problem. I contacted Eric again advising him that we still had a significant drainage issue and he responded that he would stop by to take a look. We currently live in the same neighborhood making that a fairly easy task. Two weeks passed without any contact from him.
My husband and I wound up hiring another company to fix the numerous problems Eric and his crew left us with, having arrived at the conclusion that they were unable and/or unwilling to fix the problems. We spent $4000 to fix their unfinished work.
As if all this wasn't enough, upon learning that we had hired another company to fix these multiple issues Eric responded by informing me that "Now that another company has modified our work all warranties are void". read more
