Keystone Concrete & Masonry Const. Co.

What was once a very promising relationship has now crumbled like the motor in the flagstone walkway they built. A new guy in town looking for business, I thought I would give them a try with a walkway and an expansion on an existing flagstone sidewalk. The new work came out different than planned, but looked nice and solid. The expansion of the flagstone walkway at first seemed good. The problem came when the motor started cracking and the new stones became loose. Called Rick and he came by to look and said he would fix it. Crew came by and did a poor job. Called Rick again and he came by and agreed the job was terrible. The flagstones were set at different heights and presented a very real trip hazard along with being unsightly. Rick sent a crew over to repair the work along with repairing some other loose stones. Crew left an unattractive mess with concrete hanging over the side and excess mortar on the flagstones. Seemed like they were ready to start enjoying the long Labor Day weekend. Thought Rick would call ask about the job, didn't!I tried to powerwash the excess mortar off but no luck. Time went by and I had other things on my mind. Spring rolled in and looking at the ruined walkway decided to contact Rick. I explained how I was disappointed he hadn't contacted me and the job was an example of poor quality and workmanship. Instead of an offer to correct, he blasted me for my comments. Here are several of his comments to his customer, me: I would say "with all due respect"...but I am well beyond respecting anyone that addresses myself, my men, or my workmanship in the manner that you have in your email below. Your statement below "At this time, my wife and I are planning to solicit bids to have all the flagstone removed and installed correctly and repair the damage that you did. "is a bold face and ignorant lie. The FACT that I have overlooked and simply forgotten to come back and use a cleaning agent on the edges of 7 or 8 stones does not negate the entire walkway being replaced due to any work that my men did or did not do. For the record 21 stones are affected! On that note, I stood on your driveway and ran through numerous options for the many issues you were wanting to rectify in our first meeting well over a year ago. We completed the work in May?Came back shortly thereafter to remove the small trip step and then back again in August due to some small cracking where the driveway and walks met, as well as some small hairline cracks around the random set stones. Correct or not? Not Correct!! Several trip hazards and multiple cracks. Likewise when I suggest a "caulk" joint where the sidewalk abuts to the driveway, with the inclusion that the colors would not match (joint sealant vs. mortar), you chose the mortar joint. The FACT that overlooked this when I sent my men over to make the repairs as you requested, is certainly a fault of mine, or my men, as I cannot remember if I told them to take the joint sealant or not. All of this is a non issue if you could have simply sent a reminder e-mail, instead of the disrespectful garbage I read last night. I wanted caulk, now I have crumbling Mortar. Why do I have to send an e-mail, shouldn't you come and look at your work or at least call? All of this is very bothersome to me for many reasons, because, may I remind you, I have practically done all of this work for free. Your intent to pay the lowest price possible to complete the repairs and gain a new sidewalk was your "angle" from the beginning, no different than mine was to gain some work from you and a little helpful business exposure in your neighborhood. All the while I was being told there was other sidewalk and HOA work coming my way. I am not sure if this was your ploy to get me to cut my price or otherwise, but at this point none of that matters as those "favors" are so easily forgotten. I paid what you billed me for and I expected a quality job. I did pass your card out to several neighbors, it is up to them to call. Having to return to fix my project three times is not what I had in mind. No ploy there! HOA repaved three streets last year. No money for sidewalks, not that I could give you a good recommendation.