I used East Coast Craftsman (ECC) to install entryway pavers at my home after negotiating a slightly lower price, but being assured all the stated terms of the written proposal would be accomplished. The plan was, if a good job was done well with the pavers in the entry way, we would have ECC do a larger project for us; an adjacent patio.
The proposal called for following:
- 8" of existing earth in the area way walk area would be removed and disposed of
- The excavated area would be backfilled with two compacted layers of processed gravel base material.
- Grading of compacted processed gravel to reflect proper pitch away from the house.
- Screed/lay a 1-1/4" of clean and washed concrete sand paver setting base.
- Install Belgard Laffit Sable Blend pavers and compact pavers.
- Sweep in Alliance Gator brand polymeric sand joints (color to be determined).
- Install edge restraints with 10" spiral spikes every 12".
- Pavers to be notched around existing column/posts.
- Samples of paver may be provided.
- Complete cleanup of all construction related debris
Once the project began, the existing earth, which was gravel installed by the non ECC general contractor and previously deemed as unacceptable by ECC, was suddenly considered appropriate for use as base and so what was proposed for removal did not occur to the degree stated in the proposal. I will not speak to what was used to backfill the relatively small amount that was removed or how many layers were ultimately compacted by the small rented compactor, but everything else stated in the proposal, though to varying degrees of quality, was accomplished. For instance, many pavers do not lay flat, are not pitched to keep water away from the foundation and the edge restraint is actually above the pavers in one area which is quite unsightly.
As stated, when completed, several of the pavers were not laying flat and ECC reset some after the most obvious of them were pointed out. Several of the pavers however, especially those around the columns/posts were not laying flat upon completion of the job and remain that way less than a year later. The onus was placed on me Vice ECC to determine which of the pavers not laying flat would not be tolerated. Also, this past winter, after several rains as well as snow melts and less than a year after completion of the job, the pavers began settling in other areas in a non preferred manner that conflicted with a desired grade and water now puddles on the pavers near the foundation, which in winter, often freezes at night and results in ice.
I have subsequently had work done by another company, they followed the terms of the proposal precisely, were methodical in their preparation, meticulous in their standards and the outcome is beautiful with no shortcomings.
I did send ECC email notification with photos of the pavers that had settled causing puddles, did not receive a reply and although I was still under warranty, chose not to push the issue to have them correct their work, as I had lost confidence in their ability and/or standards.
I subsequently found another company, who has numerous positive reviews on Yelp as well as Angie's List and they are superb. The lesson learned for me is the best companies have lots of customers willing to post favorable reviews for them online. read more
