Firstly, I paid the down payment in June of 2018, and the driveway got pave in June of 2019.
Secondly the down payment was more than $13,000, because the project is big. They promised that they got it done in 2018, but they couldn't.
Thirdly, they're not professional to do a large job. The leveling was very badly designed for the main part of driveway (similar to a parking lot) on the front of garages. This will cause a lot of issues during freezing winters.
Fourthly, the connection section between the public road and my private parking lot was paved without shoulder. The asphalt is about 3 inches higher than the road base on both sides. On some parts, the pavement didn't align with the existing driveway and go off the road. It created more than 20 cm drop from the edge of asphalt pavement.
At the last, Black Tar claimed all of these are normal, and they don't want to fix any.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $30,000.00
- Company Response
Hi James, I hope you had a happy holidays with friends and family.
The leveling was done with you on-site and a water test was implemented after job completion to ensure that the water slopes away from the foundation and towards the lawn. The test was successful, proving that there was proper drainage and no pooling. You expressed your thoughts regarding how the slope should be done, however, the driveway did not have the proper elevation difference between point A and point B to have proper drainage, as I explained to you on site. I do apologize that we could not accommodate your request.
To have proper slope and gravel depth, gravel must be added; this raises the elevation of the driveway by a few inches, creating a shoulder in return. The more gravel you have under the driveway, the less likely it is to shift over the years, which would prolong the lifespan of the asphalt by minimizing cracking. This is a common and necessary practice in the industry. As you imagine, we encounter this matter often. We are known for informing our customers with as much information as possible to avoid miscommunication. It is for this exact scenario that we have our "Terms and Conditions" and the "Driveway Care".
The Terms and Conditions are provided to you with the quote for review 'prior' to paying a deposit to ensure that you have had time to review it, and reach out to us with any questions you may have. The terms and conditions of your quote state that "A retaining wall made of any supportive material such as soil, stone, grass, concrete, steel etc. is to be applied around the edges “Shoulder” of the asphalt to prevent the edges from over-expanding and cracking. The retainer is to be applied during the first two weeks after asphalt application". Nevertheless, the terms and conditions are lengthy and may be easy to miss, which is why I went over it with you once again in person, step by step, by using the "Driveway Care List", explaining how to maintain your asphalt after we leave. You signed the document, which in return, assured me that you understood the steps needed to maintain your asphalt.
Black Tar strives on customer satisfaction. Upon hearing about your concerns, we offered you a free Tar-Based Sealing worth of $1,588+tax, which you accepted. If there is anything else I can do to make your experience more pleasant, please let me know.
Best Regards,
Samy Tahtawy (CEO – Black Tar Corp.)