Another Concrete Company

** DO NOT HIRE THIS CONTRACTOR!!** Concrete pad and sidewalk were poured late October 2016 and had developed spall and cracks by next summer. No sleeve installed around natural gas line so utility company had to come and remove/replace concrete to install sleeve. Contractor did not address deficiencies and was quick with excuses. Fence was a disaster. All posts were concreted into postholes but ended up being loose. Fence is now buckled and looks like limp spaghetti. Improper length screws were used and the front section dislodged from the post during a rain storm. Initial gate had to be replaced due to substandard hinge post support. Replacement gate was built incorrectly and sagged causing gate to not close. Again, contractor did not address deficiencies and was quick with excuses. Contractor also undertook unauthorized work on neighbors fence and when neighbor refused to pay, contractor cut off the new concreted in posts at grade and left the stubs.
Contractor was difficult to do business with and did not take responsibility for poor workmanship. Everything was my fault and I was the problem during attempts to resolve deficiencies.

1. Contractor continues to claim the fence posts are loose because of a sub-grade issue due to the fact my property is a recent in-fill. I challenge this rationale. First, the most problematic posts are the ones in undisturbed soil mid-yard, well away from the house. Second, at the time of project, the house foundation backfill was five years past which would have provided ample time for the sub-grade to stabilize. Third, contractor reasoned the sub-grade issue only after his first reason proved wrong, that being the posts were loose because the ground was too wet and they would firm up once dry in the spring. When this did not materialize, contractor came up with a new reason.

If being a newer in-fill posed a risk of unstable sub-grade, it was incumbent upon the contractor to bring this to my attention prior to undertaking the work, not after, so that I could have had the opportunity to respond to the risk.

2. At the completion of the work, the contractor and I agreed on the list of deficiencies and associated hold-back amounts. I have not paid the balance of my invoice because the contractor did not rectify the balance of the deficiencies.

3. The Better Business Bureau closed my complaint file because they were satisfied the contractor was taking action to resolve my complaint which satisfied their process. They instructed me to pursue legal action if I was not satisfied with the outcome. Although I remain dissatisfied, I have not yet pursued the legal route. The contractor claims I did not make every attempt to accommodate my issues and I refused to resolve them. I proposed my conditions of satisfaction for resolution to which the contractor has yet to respond, other than to shirk responsibility for the problems onto me.

4. The contractor claims the issues with my neighbor's fence are my responsibility. I informed the contractor that my neighbor might be interested in having his fence replaced at the same time as work on my project. I had no further involvement other than to confirm with him after the fact that the contractor had no agreement with him to undertake the work on his property, nor was there permission to encroach on his property to haul concrete across his patio to pour my pad. The fact you destroyed the unauthorized work you performed and left his property in the state you did speaks to your professional ethics and integrity.

5. The contractor claims I have refused conversation or contact. On the first failed attempt to meet, the contractor showed up on my doorstep unannounced early on a Saturday morning and was upset I wouldn't answer the door. At my arrangement, we subsequently met to review the deficiencies and compile a list with associated hold-back amounts. the contractor rectified some of the deficiencies and was paid accordingly. Winter turned to spring and, after not hearing from the contractor, I initiated contact. This resulted in our second failed attempt where the contractor made a tentative arrangement to meet at supper time and did not arrive on time. I was not contacted by the contractor to confirm he was coming nor that he would be delayed. I was preparing supper when contractor finally arrived and, once again, contractor got upset I wouldn't answer the door. Contractor then did not respond to my proposal to meet shortly after, once I had finished my meal. I considered the ball to be in contractor's court and he did not contact me again.

6. The responsibility I do accept in all this is that I hired the wrong contractor in Another Concrete and Contracting Company. The quality of the concrete and fencing workmanship are sub-standard and problematic. As such, I believe my complaint and issues are fair and justified.

At the time of selecting Another Concrete and Contracting Company to undertake the work, I wish I had of known about, and utilized, HomeStars resources for selection and contracting. Instead, I used the Better Business Bureau's selection service and ended up with Another Concrete and Contracting Company. I surely know where to go in the future.

In conclusion, I wish to thank this contractor for gifting me with the opportunity to learn so much. Without their expert guidance, I never would have experienced the many things to watch out for when engaging and managing a contractor.