Stone porch steps and walkway rebuild
Hired owner,Simon M to rebuild my flagstone walkway ,stone porch and steps. The project cost about $12,000. His crew poured the concrete form for the steps and he subcontracted work to a stone mason Jeff V. The steps don't meet Ontario Building Code standards. The overhang on each step ranges from 1 3/4 inches to 2.5 inches. My visitors have tripped on it. I also have only 8 inch for the run for the steps which is way too narrow.
Another big mistake was with the walkway. They didn’t grade it properly and I had a water drainage problems. I complained to both the original contractor Simon M & the stone mason Jeff V, but neither one took any responsibility. They both refused to come back to correct both mistakes even though Simon M indicated that there is a 2 year warranty on their work. The tone mason wanted to charge me another $4500 to rebuild the steps. I think it’s appalling that these contractors acted so unprofessionally and irresponsibly and they must be held accountable. I'm with having to hire another contractor to tear down their work and do it all over again.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $12,000.00
- Company Response
I recently became aware of this review from several years ago when a present customer brought it to my attention. This customer is already a repeat customer, who indeed referred me to others after having been satisfied with their experience. I take pride in the work I do and in the service I provide for my customers, so I feel it necessary to respond to what I feel in a completely unfair and inaccurate representation of the way I conduct myself and those who work for me, as well as the product I provide.
This reviewer is correct about the job budget. We came in under budget for the project, and on time- a matter of pride for me.
-This was accomplished despite the following:
1. Trying to get my workers to do other small jobs outside of the scope of what was agreed upon for free. This was done whenever I went out to get materials.(I dont mind doing a little extra for a customer without charging, within reason) a half day job however is a bit excessive. He attempted to get my worker`s private numbers to arrange this as well. They declined.
2. Numerous phonecalls at 2&3 am to discuss changes he wanted to make. These woke up my children and my wife and made for a very tired day at work. I aksed him to restrict his calls to before 9pm, but he proceeded with the calls anyways.The job proceeded as follows:
The concrete steps were formed and poured with the reviewer watching the whole time. He was extremely hands on during the process, which is fine by me. He requested adjustments, and we accommodated. The steps were poured to accept the stone steps that the reviewer chose, not the original size budgeted for. The reviewer was informed that the steps were barely minimum for Ontario building code, yet he chose to continue to save budget. They did however meet code regardless.The stones he chose were installed with him present. He stated that the work looked great and voiced no objection at the time. The stone mason, who has been doing custom stone work for 30 years, proceeded to work on the walkway we poured, which was sloped appropriately away from the dwelling. He did so under my supervision as does anyone who provides me with a service.
As the mason was finishing the walk, he contracted us to build an interlocking retaining wall, gardens and sod the lawn. If he was so displeased with the work, why hire us to do a subsequent job, with a fair sized budget of its own?
The whole project was finished and the reviewer told us it looked beautiful, and he's right, it does to this day. I passed by the site, and no aspect of the job has been taken out or re done in any way.
After the job was done, the reviewer contacted me and told me he changed his mind about the size of the steps, and that he would like to have the larger ones we suggested. I noted that there was considerable work involved in demolishing the area, forming new steps and getting and installing new steps. I offered to give him a price to do so, which I think is reasonable. I did so, for less than the amount stated in the review. He demanded that it be done for free and proceeded with some behaviour I will decline to mention here. He also sent a video which showed water over the walkway we did. Upon further review, the downspout from the house was re-routed onto the sidewalk in a rain storm, rather than where we put it in the completely opposite area of the yard. The finished walkway and steps were graded properly when I inspected the work at the end of the job as well.
I do not know what more I could have done to accommodate and be patient with this individual.
I have mentioned this to a few present customers, and their response was "where do I put my review?". I'm sure there will be more coming soon.
The contractor who originally referred me to this person ( as he does not provide stone work), is a man of very high standards and integrity. He was contacted by this person and investigated this for himself. He has offered to speak with anyone who may have a question regarding this. For any who have concerns, please call me, or email for a list of references.
I stand by the way I do business, and there is a reason I have worked on a referral basis so long, and also for the fact that I am in my 26th year of business.