Alaska Infrared Asphalt

I looked for a provider to replace entire paved driveway, as the driveway was badly frost-jacked or frost-heaved in front of garage, and other parts of the driveway had dips and bumps. Initially took 2 months of constantly contacting Alaska Infrared, both the owner Bill Tucker and the Office Manager Kerri Koonook, via phone and email to get an actual quote in writing. It even took a month after they came out to our house to look at it just to get the quote. I was understanding, summers are a busy time in Anchorage. Was cheaper than other quotes I had received, which I thought was awesome. I didn't realize this is because they were not replacing all gravel/pavement, just the first 8-10' was going to be replaced and then the rest remained. The drawing was very hard to interpret for the average customer, but you can see that they were only going to excavate 8-10', so this is my error, not theirs. The remaining 16' of pavement was used for reheating and repaving. When I found this out, halfway into the project, I asked them if it would still have problems, and he assured me it would not, that the problem area was the area closest to the garage and since they replaced that gravel/insulation, it won't do it again. Then a day or two into the actual excavation the owner, Bill Tucker, calls me to explain that they discovered that the sewer clean out pipe, which is located in my driveway and near my front porch, was broken. He initially tried to have one of his friend's (someone licensed and with a different company) come look at it, but then they couldn't come out for a few days, which would hold up the project. We agreed they would stop and move on to another job while I got someone to come repair, then they would reschedule with me to come back out. I contacted Scotty's Excavation (i.e. Scotty's Services) who informed me that Alaska Infrared had filled up the hole where the pipe was, which I thought was really ridiculous since they knew it was being repaired, and that the clean out pipe was actually completely separated from the pipe below and would have to be completely replaced. He performed this service for me for $1800. He had to excavate to do the work and left Alaska Infrared's materials/insulation/gravel etc. in the driveway. I called Bill to inform him and he apologized and said this was a miscommunication between him and his workers and that they would be back the following week first thing to finish the driveway. No one showed up the following week, no one called. I called and asked and was told they were busy and held up on another job and it would be awhile. They came back a week and a half later to finish the job. Job was finished. I had some concerns about the edges and sealing, which I was told would be taken care of later. The edges of the pavement have little rock pieces of gravel/pavement and are crumbly. All of the edges and sides of the driveway look unfinished and crumbly. Then I finally get the invoice two months later. I see additional charges of $1382 for a skidsteer operator at $135/hour for 6.5 hours, 1 man laborer at $65/hour for 6.5 hours, extra material of "RAP" at $18.00 per ton for 2.35 tons, and a dump fee. Huh? So I call and ask, and the owner finally calls me to tell me yes that's what I owe since they had to refill in the hole where the clean out was. I explained that hey we talked about this, your the ones that filled it in when you shouldn't have, the guy acts like he has no memory. Also should be noted that their original contract that I signed and they signed states "Any and all changes in this agreement shall be made by written agreement, signed by both the client and Alaska Infrared Asphalt Restoration". So I'm mad, but what can I do? So I discuss payment options with the office manager, we agree to an amount to pay monthly, then I never hear from her again. I send emails, leave voicemails, no response. Then two months later, Bill Tucker comes knocking on my door, introduces himself (even though I'd met him and talked to him in person about 4 times, but hey he's busy right) and he informs me that he's had to fire his office manager, she was stealing money from him, and what is the status of my payment? So I tell him I've been trying to get in touch with him, I will pay $2000 initially and then $500/month until done, he agrees. He said I can email him the details and credit card info. I email him, card never gets charged. I text him and call him, nothing no response. Then two weeks later in the middle of a refinance, my lender informs me that there is a lien on the house. Which is funny because it was just filed a week before. I start calling and emailing Bill, who tells me that whoops he guesses he didn't check his email and didn't process the payment. So now I've got him to process the payment and remove the lien, but I've expressed that I am not happy with anything this company has done and I'm only paying what I am legally required to pay, which is the $5966 originally quoted. And that is what I'll be doing. If he wants to take me to small claims for the additional amount, he can do so. I will never use this company again. I tried to be understanding, fair, etc. and my job was just treated like crap. The ice and snow are now melting and I can tell that my driveway is already having problems AFTER 6 months- its not level, not even where the driveway meets the garage (one side is level, the other side is like 1" above garage), the edges are crumbly (I have loose pieces of gravel/driveway in my yard everywhere) and I supposedly have a one-year writing which I don't see in the agreement but even if he does honor it I doubt I will ever be able to get him on the phone or out to my house!

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We had a good experience with them. They showed up when they said they would and their end product was what I expected. When we had some questions about it, they came back and re-did some stuff; addressed our concerns. They did a good job.

Bill, came by to measure and layout the work to be performed. He gave us a very reasonable estimate, then put our home on the schedule. Before the scheduled date, Bill contacted us to confirm times, during the entire process, he kept us informed of progress, etc. the crew guys were polite and professional. If I had a question they answered it! I was impressed by the care they took to ensure no damage from heat or material effected my property. Exceptional job, for a very reasonable price!

Because the job was small they fit us in and came out and did the job. it looks great.

Crew was very polite, professional - and the job looks great. I would use them again.

They leveled and filled in the caved in portions of the driveway and walkway and built it up so that water flows away from the house.

Contacted them for a bid. It wasn't the cheapest but they seemed very knowledgeable and experienced. Made the repair just as they described in the bid and we couldn't be happier. We had sever grade issues in the transition between the driveway and street such that we'd actually get stuck there in the winter and during breakup. Work was done in the summer of 2008 and it still looks/works perfect 5 years on.

They set it on top of the concrete and it heats it up and they can do what they want with it. They can rake it out and reform it. It is kind of neat. The work was fine. There was not much interaction other than they came out and gave me an estimate. They were pleasant.