I began the process of hiring this contractor to pave my driveway in September 2016. After nearly 100 emails back and forth, many delays due to weather and equipment failures and contractor's health, we finally got the job started on Oct. 4, 2017. The contractor said that he ended up doing our driveway by hand and had to do it over three times. He told my wife that he could not get the machine into the driveway. Then he stated that he did not install the drain as proposed in the original estimate. He said that he was able to direct the water away from the house by pitching the driveway a certain direction. I questioned this as upon looking at it by eye, it was blatantly clear that the water would go into the garage. Upon the first rain storm we had water in the garage. When contacted on Oct. 14, 2017: "Also, I am concerned about the pitch of the driveway from the turnaround heading back to the garage. The slope is down towards the garage. I used my level because it looked strange. I feel that it is heading the wrong way. I asked a friend to come by and take some measurements using his equipment, and there are parts that are flat and even one part in the middle by the lamp post that is higher. I am concerned about the water run off. We should have a storm tomorrow, so hopefully we will get a better picture. When you come by to get the materials, could you please take a look at the markings on the driveway. I measured almost every six feet. The grade is either flat or only a difference of a few tenths. Can you please let me know when we can talk and you can help me understand? Maybe you can come by and take some measurements to see if I was off? My last question is about the top layer. To me it looks like there is a quite a big amount of "binder" at the top of the driveway. The paperwork that you gave me says that you do a binder and then finish asphalt. I would like to understand why it doesn't have the smooth finish that I would have thought it would have." On November 15, 2017 I sent him pictures and concerns about water now entering the garage as a result of the wrong pitch of the driveway. The contractor said the this was the most difficult driveway that he had ever done, but promised a solution. He then returned the first week of December 2016 and installed a drain in front of the garage and by the side of the driveway. We continued to have low spots, which he said he would fix by "hand and eye". This did not happen before the cold weather hit. When he installed the trench he had to cut the existing driveway, which has left a crack between the old and new section for water to penetrate and eventually break up the driveway in front of the trench drain. As the driveway was done by hand, pieces of the asphalt continue to crumble. The new trench drain was filled with asphalt pieces and never cleaned out before putting the grates over the top. On December 28, 2016 he stated: "Hi Brad I hope you guys had a great holiday. As you know all me vendors are closed for the next 3 weeks and still then it will be to cold to fix those puddles. Anyway you could pay at least 50% for now and in the spring time I'll fix the areas ASAP. I'd really appreciate. Thank you. On January 17, 2017 the contractor stated: "Hey Brad your correct. I appreciate it and I'll see you in the spring time. I usually start up April 1st. Thank you " On January 19, 2017 I sent him a check for 50% of the cost. It is now May 7, 2017 and the contractor has not called, emailed or returned. I have every belief that he will not return. I still have puddles forming in the driveway. The two drains he installed back up with water each time that it rains, I have water coming into the garage and the trench in front of the garage is sinking because it was placed into the dirt and not concrete. I have contacted other driveway professionals and they have stated that the driveway needs to be ripped out and re-done. The drain work needs to be moved into better location, the trench in front of the garage needs to be placed into a cement foundation, and a solution needs to be found for improper draining into the dry well. I am looking for the contractor to refund my 50% that I paid him, so that I can have someone else fix his failed attempt to do the job contracted.
He cut the irrigation line, the invisible dog fence and the power to an exterior lamp post.
I want a refund and would never hire this contractor again. read more