ComplaintsforEckles Paving

• Initial Complaint

  05/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In 7/7/23 Eckles paved my long driveway. In August, weeds excessively started poking through, and in Sept. Eckles told me is was the worst they had ever seen. They blamed my contractor's prep, despite repeatedly ghosting him when he requested they inspect his prep, and his requests to verify he was providing prep to the required standard. When inspecting the damage in August, they suggested it was an act of nature and that it was the contractor's fault, despite their crew having weeds in their "before" pictures, and I was told "it isn't their job to know that was a problem." Later they provided a blowtorch and tamper and showed me how to tamp the bad spots, and we agreed they would charge me $750 in April/May for sealcoat, up to two more hours of tamping, and more substantial repair of a few sq. feet of the worst areas. Due to just wanting a solution while stuck between contractors blaming each other, I agreed even though as a disabled veteran, the manual labor I did on their behalf to repair their faulty work caused significant flareups to my injuries. On 4/12/24, I texted my contact to get his email and them emailed a proposal; weeds were so much worse in the Spring that sealcoat would not be viable, so I proposed additional asphalt work where I wanted the previous work to extend, maintain the same repair work specified earlier, and keep the equipment loaned to me, as this would likely benefit both of us. AFTER 6 WEEKS OF SILENCE I texted on 5/20 for an update.In addition to the above, the initial timeline was not met and cost me an additional $2000 due to having to prep twice, and in August they told me the salesman (no longer at the company) lied to me about the timeline. My children have also sustained minor injuries from the trip hazards.Due to the lack of response, I have lost patience and want a fair resolution of EITHER:* Full replacement * Patchwork repair, and small new addition OR comparable discount, and keep loaned equipment (blowtorch, etc).

  

  Business response

  05/22/2024

  Eckles Paving was contracted with *************************.  Our contracted scope of work with ******************** was to furnish/place/compact 3 of asphalt only. Our scope of work did not include and we were not compensated for any subgrade/roadbase work prior to asphalt placement.  All subgrade/roadbase work was done by someone else, not Eckles Paving.  Our contract states, *********** is not responsible in any way for any subgrade/roadbase placed by Buyer or any third party or the effect that unsuitable subgrade/roadbase might have on newly placed asphalt.  Weeds cannot grow in asphalt, which is a mixture of rocks and oil.  Weeds grow in dirt.  Weeds growing through the asphalt surface are absolutely the result of unsuitable subgrade/roadbase prep work and ****************** should address this issue with ********************, not Eckles Paving.  This issue has nothing to do with Eckles Paving and this complaint should be removed.  

  Customer response

  05/22/2024

   
  Complaint: 21743759
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  1. While preparation was done by a different contractor, the contractor made repeated attempts to confirm what Eckles needed for preparation, both via communication and requested via an on-site visit, and Eckles advised that his prep was sufficient.

  2. Eckles paving crew, upon seeing weeds, opted to complete the job rather than surface a critical issue. This is the equivalent of a pilot blaming the mechanic despite taking off with a wing falling off the plane-- operator responsibility.

  3. The Eckles/******** dispute is unrelated to lying to me about a November date, causing me to incur an extra prep cost. The original salesman (no longer with the company) told us it would happen for sure in November. Later we were told that November was too late to ever expect due to temperatures, which means that unless that was a lie in July, Eckles admitted its previous guidance costing me the prep cost was false.

  4. Eckles verbally committed to provide seal coat for $750 (I was advised this was at-cost), loaned me equipment to perform manual labor patchwork repair, and the promise of very light actual repair and crackfill. This was done in front of a witness, and is also supported by follow-up correspondence and the fact that the equipment was loaned. This was to be done in April or May, and in April I reached out to request an alternative plan as it was clear seal coat would not be effective given the continued problem. The alternative plan proposed was to maintain the minor repair work, let me keep the cheap equipment, and perform an additional prep and project-- an option that would have even increased ******* margins compared to the sealcoat. When reaching out to have this contract fulfilled, Eckles only responded after I filed this complaint 6 weeks later, ignoring any non-complaint outreach.

  5. Eckles was repeatedly requested to provide the full text of their warranty. It is unacceptable that they could only produce it in the form of rejecting the complaint, especially as ALL aspects of the complaint would have been completely prevented with a halfway attempt to provide the absolute minimum baseline level of communication during the project.

  6. Given that Eckles agreed to remedial action, even if failing to follow through later, demonstrates that there was at least some recognition of responsibility for at least some of the above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  

  Business response

  05/27/2024

  If the preparation work (completed by another contractor)was done correctly, there would be no issue. This is the crux of the issue.  Your frustration is misdirected.  Eckles Paving is not responsible, in any way, for work that we were neither contracted nor paid for. 
  Please dont misconstrue our willingness to help the situation as any admission of guilt or wrongdoing on our part.  Its not helpful to ask for our help and then try to use that help against us.  We do empathize with your situation and will try to help you through this as much as we can.  In reciprocation, we would appreciate you removing this complaint, considering the problem as has nothing to do with our work.     

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