Disappointing and bad experience.
I do NOT recommend A&A Masonry. I don't know if my 2 star rating is considered "positive". (My original Review was rejected, I don't know why, so this one is heavily edited). Our total cost was $68,500, plus $6500 for repairs and curbs, $23,000 for materials, bins and bobcat, plus tax on all =around $112,000. Plus we will need to pay more, for our Lawn to be repaired. I gave 2 stars for quality of work because while I feel some workers tried to do a good job, the "finished" driveway looked terrible on one side (see picture below, notice the lawn), and the other side was loose (because slivers of paving stones were used), there is still scattered gravel, waste and mounds of dirt on our partially destroyed lawn, there was no cleanup, even after they came back at extra cost to REPAIR THE BRAND NEW just finshed but terrible looking and loose interlocking driveway, and our interactions with salesman #2 were not good. Mistakes, the bad design (they dont use sketches or computer plans) which looked ugly and done by a bad amateur - salesaman called it "wonky" (a picture of the finished edge is attached, before the extra cost repair, and notice the lawn), then overcharging, $8,000 minimums, and excuses,etc (everything is "the workers fault"). The first salesman disappeared (I dont know why), then things went downhill, in my opinion. I am trying to be 100% accurate of what was said and what happened, so you can judge for yourself. My comments and opinions are in brackets. The design and edges of the driveway were terrible until we paid extra, for a full day (actually on my property for 4 1/2 hours), but they didn't even clean up then. For the destroyed lawn salesman #2 told us "just throw down some grass seed, super easy!", but it needs more work than that - you can't just throw grass seed on gravel and waste on a lawn, it's NOT super easy. WE have to do the clean up! ( pay someone to clean up and fix the grass). We were told that the "2 year warranty" didnt apply to the edge that was loose EVEN THOUGH IT IS BRAND NEW! The finished driveway was NOT finished in my opinion. We had a few things done, together ( to try to save money) but that was a huge mistake - we were locked in to A&A when things started going wrong, and we didnt save any money. Once it started we were stuck with A&A. First, we needed retaining wall work. They said they could repair it, but when they took it apart it needed replacement- for 3 times the repair cost, $28,000 now (plus materials and tax). It was finshed quickly, took less time than estimated. That might be a mistake (I'm not sure anymore), but it was a big $18,000 disappointment. We asked if the retaining stones being thrown out could be put down on the grass, along the flower garden they were walking by, as a low border - instead of them lifting the stones into the bin just lay them on the ground. The worker called and was told it would cost another $2,000! (Does that seem fair to you?) I am unable to lay the stones on the grass myself. Disappointing. The driveway - we thought putting a wheelchair Ramp at the same time would be easy because the entire driveway was being replaced, but they said it would cost $8,000 more. Then they said the ramp should be on the other side of the porch, so the porch's low brick sidewall ( 3 foot high x 6 foor wide) would have to be cut out - that's another $8,000. So the Total would be $16,000 (plus materials and tax) for the 7 foot long, 44 inch wide, up to 10 inch high Ramp, done at the same time as the driveway, which is half the cost of the complete driveway replacement cost! We said No. It is a huge disappointment to me. At the very end, salesman #2 told us he could do a better price if we want the Ramp later. Yeah, sure... When the driveway was "finished" it looked terrible. One side was loose, because the too slim slivers of paving stones were loose and flimsy. We were told "when YOU backfill it should be stronger". The other side (lawn side) was cut to a curve, but it was ugly (salesman said "wonky" - see the finished edge picture below for yourself). "A curb will fix it" but at extra cost. He at first said $5500 but then charged us $8,000 (plus materials plus tax), after a long argument he charged $6500 (plus plus). We didn't know how long it would take them, but salesman #2 knew it would be quick. In the argument he told us the workers TOLD HIM what to charge, the workers had repeatedly miscommunicated, the price was NOT related to the labour time " that would be nickel and diming", we have to look at "the scope of the work", if we paid less than $8,000 the warranty would be cancelled, and more excuses, etc in my opinion. We just wanted it finished after 1 1/2 weeks of construction, but WE SHOULD'VE GOT SOMEONE ELSE to fix the edges and lay the curb stones on the ground. For 3 workers, 4 1/2 hours, they charged us $8,000 (plus materials and taxes), later reduced to $6500. Also, they were 3 curb stones short (another mistake) so they had to come back again to finish the curbing, the salesman pointed out to us "that was free!". Also, half of the curb stones have scratches on top. If the driveway had been finished correctly, with less mistakes, and there was a full cleanup, and no overcharge attempts, and no arguing and blaming everything on the workers, I would have left a better review. But we had to pay $6500 to fix the bad edges, other things were a bad experience, I don't have a Ramp despite spending $50,000+ for a new driveway, and we are going to have to pay someone for the lawn cleanup and re-sodding, and I feel like the "2 year warranty" won't be honored. I first wrote a lot more details, but my original review was rejected, I'm not sure why, so I cut out quite a few explanations, etc. I think a smaller, local company would've been better. I regret hiring this company.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $78,000.00
