In June of 2025, I received an estimate for a driveway install for $8100, which included materials for 5/8 crushed run gravel totaling $1900 for that material alone. I expected a five week window for the install and five months later it was done.
After the installation, I saw that I would be charged $800 for a roller rental yet the driveway was never rolled. They just drove a skid steer back and forth over it. They did admit fault and took the cost of the bill but I also found that the materials used were not what was in the estimate we agreed upon, but that they had used a cheaper material. When I talked to Luke, the crew member leading the job, he assured me they used the proper material. When I sent photos proving them wrong, I received a call from Sam, the owner, who admitted that they changed materials from the original estimate and that those materials only cost $1300. He claimed we still owed full price because his labor costs miraculously went up the exact difference in material prices. He told me that the estimate sent to me, with individual line items stating exact cost to the penny of materials, labor and equipment was just a general idea and that whatever changes they made were irrelevant because I wanted a $8100 driveway and that's what I got! I claimed breach of contract because changes were made from our original agreement and he said he just claimed to install a driveway and that's what I got! Needless to say, I reported them to the Better Business Bureau and he said he didn't care. He just wanted his money. He even admitted that on other jobs they do with landscaping, that they might promise a customer 18 trees or plants installed with so many yards of mulch yet they will only install 15 plants and use less mulch but still charge the same because he only charges by the job, not the scope of the promised upon estimate. So he admitted that he cuts back on materials and still charged people full price! That was his defense! That he cheats customers! He then became irate and accused me of trying to nickel and dime him once the project was done. I am sorry, but $600 material markup is not nickel and dime. It is half a week's pay for me. The job was done in two days and both days I arrived at 2:45 pm, after work, and the site was empty of anyone working, telling me it was a day's worth of work or rather an 8 hr job. He charged me $75 dollar an hour MORE for labor alone since he claimed labor was the price hike. Very shady and dishonest, by his own admission. Buyers beware!!! read more