In March 2024, I contracted A1 Grading, owned by Dwayne Burrell, to clear a 15-acre road (approx…read more 1.3 acres) and a one-acre lot for the construction of my new home. The total contract price for the road was $28,998.28, and for the one-acre lot to build my house was $8,187.18. I paid deposits and installment payments as requested, totaling more than $37,000.
The agreement included clearing the road, installing pipes and riprap, compacting the base, and, importantly, hauling all debris either by grinding or by using the one-acre lot for safe burning. Dwayne repeatedly delayed, giving various excuses. He claimed conditions were too dry, that he needed permits, or later that "leaves had to fall" before burning. He burned the debris from the one-acre lot, did very minimal grading, but the large piles of tree debris and stumps from the road clearing--present since May 2024--were never removed or burned as agreed. One pile is over a story tall. Now that my home is being built, I received an estimate of $15K to haul the huge piles because of his deceit, lies, and dishonesty.
Throughout this process, I accommodated his delays, made payments on time, and communicated consistently. Dwayne, however, failed to follow through with the contract terms. He requested that I pay him the remaining balance minus $500. I told him there was no way I would pay him that. I paid him too much already. On October 7, 2024, he claimed the project was complete and demanded final payment, even though the road debris was still on my property. Removing the debris was one of the main reasons I contracted with him. I informed him that the final payment would not be made until the work was completed in full. Since then, I have had no communication from him, and nearly two years later, the debris remains, leaving me with an incomplete project despite significant payments. Everyone asks me who left that crap on my road and state A1 GRADING, WENDELL, NC, DWAYNE BURRELL.
Dwayne has proven unreliable, has failed to honor the contract, and has not returned to finish the job. I would never ever recommend him for any job. He is someone who does not take pride in his work. He is a con man! He should be on worst pros in town!