Our first meeting went well. An explanation of the work to be done was given. I thought I had explained what I anticipated in a new driveway.
Unfortunately, the day that the gang arrived to remove our old driveway was the one day in a month that I was not at home. They proceeded to remove the old material and then brought in the sub-base material. Rather than fresh material, crushed limestone as neighbor down the street was receiving at the same time, I received recycled construction material that contained everything but the kitchen sink, I think. Upon looking at this poor excuse for a sub grade I received crushed: bricks, concrete, ashphalt, paper, cloth material, shale/slate pieces, string mixed in with some "earthen material". I was assured by the head contractor that this was certified material by the Quebec Construction board. Several days later the paving crew arrived, loaded truck, roller, and paving machine. Two passes with the paver and the ashphalt was down. Not bad looking for the moment.
Through the winter minor cracks appeared. These cracks widened over the first summer of wear, but I was assured by the contractor that he would be back and fill in the cracks and fix whatever needed to be done. He told me to saturate with water each side of the driveway so that the drying process underneath the pavement would not collapse, (remember that sub-base?). The return to correct and fix the cracks tha summer never occurred.
Winter two saw no improvement in the cracks even though the ground was well saturated.
Now into full summer number two, cracks have widened evermore to the point that pieces of pavement are coming loose.
From this experience I issue a warning to anyone contemplating a "new" driveway by Ranaldi INC. On a score of 10 I give them a ONE.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $3,800.00
