1 out of 5
| Trustworthy | |
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| Customer Service | |
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| Recommend | |
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I am writing this review to share my incredibly unsatisfactory experience with Greater Chicago Paving and Masonry, detailing the shoddy tuckpointing job they performed on my property. I feel it is crucial to make others aware of my ordeal so they can make informed decisions when selecting a construction company. For those who had similar work done in less visible places like a chimney, I urge you to have a trained professional inspect the work you had done.
I hired Greater Chicago Paving and Masonry to conduct tuckpointing on approximately 20 square feet of ground-level brickwork. They assured me that they were trained union masons and promised to closely (not perfectly) match the existing mortar color, and they quoted me $800 for the job. I even showed them examples of patchwork done by two different masons, and was told absolutely they could do the same. Unfortunately, the entire process and outcome were a disaster. The ineptitude displayed by the so-called "professionals" is mind-boggling.
First, Greater Chicago Paving and Masonry lacked appropriate tools for the task at hand. They resorted to using flathead screwdrivers to chisel out the old mortar, causing significant damage to the face bricks in the process. To make matters worse, they falsely claimed that the bricks were "rotten" and insisted on a $3,600 replacement job, a diagnosis refuted by an independent retired master mason.
When I requested that they complete the tuckpointing properly with a grinder, I was shocked to discover that they had to borrow my tools. They lacked even the most basic equipment necessary for the job. When questioned about the absence of a jointer, their response was aggressive, defensive and dismissive, stating, "I don't need one 'cause I just use my magic finger, mate."
The final result of their work was inconsistent and unprofessional. Joints were underfilled, others were convex and overfilled, joints did not completely remove the old mortar, and mortar spills marred the face bricks. Some joints were neglected entirely, leaving an aesthetically displeasing and structurally compromised finish.
Greater Chicago Paving and Masonry left behind a complete mess after the work. They aggressively demanded their payment, and claimed that it was my responsibility to clean up their mess and finish the job. As a lone parent, I did not feel safe further confronting these incompetents with my children near. Their hasty departure left me with a poorly executed tuckpointing project and a significant cleanup task.
Upon further inspection in daylight, I realized the full extent of the damage and communicated my dissatisfaction, citing defective workmanship and their "guarantee." Shockingly, Greater Chicago Paving and Masonry has refused to rectify the situation unless paid an additional $600, further adding insult to injury.
In conclusion, I strongly advise anyone considering Greater Chicago Paving and Masonry for tuckpointing or any construction services to proceed with caution. Their lack of professionalism, inadequate tools, subpar workmanship, and unreasonable demands for additional payment make them an unreliable and untrustworthy choice for any construction project.
I hope this review serves as a warning to others and prompts Greater Chicago Paving and Masonry to reevaluate their practices and prioritize quality and customer satisfaction in their future endeavors.