Digable Systems

The work began in late January and ended mid May 2010. There were many delays due to freezing or rainy weather, but the contractor also reported many personal issues. When there was a long delay in the work, it was usually I who called or emailed to get the work started again. First the contractor brought in thirteen 6"x6"x10 foot posts and installed them in 2-ft holes, back-filled with gravel. The hand-digging of the holes was difficult because of the rocky soil and numerous tree roots. I had intended for these posts to be tied into the existing fence, but this was never done, and the contractor did not think he had agreed to do so. This underlines the importance of getting everything in writing, in detail with a materials list and estimated labor costs ahead of time. The parts of this large, sprawling amorphous project that were done that way turned out well. Otherwise poorly. Then, two workers hand-dug the French drain trench, piling the soil on the neighbors' driveway. I asked them to move it to our front yard, which they did. I asked the contractor to use rigid perforated plastic pipe in the bottom of the drain, as I had researched the matter and believed it to be the best functioning, longest lasting and cleanable when it clogs. Contractor had already bought flexible pipe and stated that it was best and that I had to have it, because the drain had to curve around the air conditioner. He said it would last ten years. Currently, in a dry month, the basement is moderately drier than when the French Drain was dug. It remains to be seen if it makes any difference in a rainy season. When the workers had dug to the back deck, contractor asked to remove decking boards to get to dirt under deck. Later I agreed to let them permanently shorten the deck on the north to give access to the drain and create a distance from the air conditioner. Had I realized it, the AC actually sits on a plastic base and could have been lifted out of the way, saving $400. To dig the catch basin, a Bobcat trencher/dozer was brought in. It dug a much larger basin than I expected, and in the process ruptured a nearly new plastic irrigation line. Contractor stated that this did not matter, because he could replace the old system in less time than it would take to find the old one and adapt it for drip irrigation. The French drain and catch basins, back and front, were filled with gravel and covered back with dirt. While the Bobcat was on the property, two large Arbor Vitae trees were cut down and stumps removed, along with a number of medium sized stumps in the back yard. New trenches were dug for the irrigation lines in the back yard. In the process, a number of other existing sprinkler lines were ruptured, the lawn was destroyed and the ground compacted in areas I intended to turn into vegetable gardens. The Bobcat also broke up the existing front sidewalk, which lay in jagged pieces many weeks before it was removed. Contractor was careful to tape off the area to warn of trip hazards, wherever they occurred. After waiting weeks for contractor to find appropriate bricks, we searched for them ourselves and found very nice salvaged brick, harmonizing with our historic house and had them delivered. Many more weeks later, a curve brick walk, that we are very happy with was installed. Workers used a mechanical tamper to prepare the ground. At my insistence, contractor appeared several times to make sure grade was draining and bricks were installed properly. This was an agreed upon add-on after the work started. Contractor was flexible and cheerfully worked this into the schedule. Workers installed Railroad ties as landscape timbers along the curb of the parking strip, doing a careful and conscientious job in a difficult situation, since the curb was crumbling in several places. They had to miter one corner at an wide angle, and anchor the timbers by drilling large holes in them and hammering rebar through them into the ground. It looked so good that I asked them to also put a border of RR ties all the way around the small front yard. They worked with me as I tweaked design details. They did a great job, and it looks good now with the xeriscape installed later by another contractor. The corroded old metal sprinkler system and stop-&-waste valve were removed and replaced with the underground components for a new drip irrigation system. Workers and contractor dug by hand several feet into the parking strip to remove and replace the old main valve. They laid plastic line for 2 watering zones. The system sat this way for many weeks, and I wondered if I would ever get a working system. Finally, after several appeals, contractor sent workers over to install the backflow pipes that complete the system. These pipes now leak underground, and the whole system front and back yard are inoperable. Fortunately, the contractor had showed me how to shut off the system at the street, so at least it is not leaking. The contractor said he would include drip irrigation and plantings for the cost we originally agreed on, but he never came up with a detailed plan or a plant list. He did drop off three small boulders and two bunches of yarrow dug out of someone else's yard, that we did work successfully into our final design. To sum up, we are pleased with the landscape timbers and the brick walk. The jury is out on the French drain. We still have to figure out how to finish the fence. We had a high-end sprinkler system that is now destroyed, and an non-functioning drip system in its place. Our own inexperience with irrigation systems and our failure to thoroughly research the subject and the contractors in the area (why didn't we rely on Angie's List?) led to a mixed result. When we did our job well as consumers--insisting on exact plans, time schedule, materials specs and labor estimates--before the project began, things turned out well. When we put up with vague plans (fence posts) or didn't blow the whistle when things were not what we expected (Bobcat tearing up sprinkler lines)--things became very expensive and very disappointing. This contractor had good references from wealthy people with big, expensive, long-term projects. He worked hard for us while present, and his two workers are hard-working, careful and courteous. The Bobcat was a disaster for us, and just not appropriate for our small lot. This contractor works best with either unlimited time and budget or with very tightly structured small projects.