MJfromBurlington

We had received a few quotes from various paving companies, and Nissena's quote was competitive. We hired them to excavate our drive way, and repave it. We had been told by the owner that a permit was required, but that we should be ok. The day the work to excavate our drive-way came, 6 other neighbors decided to have there drive ways re-done. The owner of the paving company (Diego) gave them each a price of $1400. We paid $2000. When I approached Diego, and asked if we could get a discount, considering that he just got an additional $8400 in sales from my street, he told me that he couldn't, but would do something for us at the end of the job...perhaps a gift certificate to a restaurant. Fast forward a couple weeks to the day the job took place, and I would say that I am satisfied with the level of work performed, and the quality of the finished product. However, there were grooves marks from the rollers left in some pretty noticeable spots on the asphalt, which is extremely annoying, but the job was "ok". When it came to settle up our bill, we didn't get a discount or any perks (i.e. a gift card). It's been a year after the work has been done, and my initial feelings towards the work and the company have not changed. The drive-way has held up well over the winter, but some parts of the drive-way have lifted slightly (perhaps due to not enough gravel being used for drainage). One of my neighbors did experience a large crack in the asphalt, but there are no other significant issues.***If you are looking to have Nissena repave your driveway, I would recommend having it done in the fall, for the asphalt they use seems to be soft, and the cooler weather will help alleviate such things as tire impressions. If the contract says "6"" of new gravel, ensure that they put that amount on your drive-way***

We hired Abruzzi Carpentry in May of 2010, to construct concrete steps, pathway(s) and drive-way curbs. It is a year later, and we are experiencing problem arising from the service they performed. We had hired Abruzzi Carpentry based on a very strong referral from a friend. We met the owner of the company, saw his work, and were happy to do business with him. When all was said and done, we would rate our satisfaction of the "over-all" finished product to be an 8 out of 10. My satisfaction level of the workers, and dealing with the owner during the month long process was 5 out of 10. After the concrete had been poured, we were very unhappy with some of the blochy sections seen on the concrete, and the weird discoloration observed in some very prodominant areas. We had expressed our concerns to the owner of Abruzzi Carpentry, and were told that the problem areas would go away after the concrete had cured. He had also promised that when he sealed the concrete, that those unsightly areas would resolve themselves. It has been a year now, and the contractor never came back to seal the concrete, nor have the unsightly markings disappeared. In fact, they have gotten worse. This spring, we have noticed problem areas on the finished concrete. We have asked industry professionals for help, in trying to determine what is happening to our concrete, and they tell us that the problems are due to poor finishing techniques, and poor judgement on the contractors part to pour concrete on a day that called for heavy rains. The problems we are experiencing are as follows: • A “white and milky” discoloration in the coloured concrete, that was as a result of rain water seeping through the inadequate tarps "they" (Abruzzi Carpentry) used to cover the freshly poured concrete. The company who supplied the concrete have informed us that rain-water on freshly poured concrete will react in this manner, and that the appropriate measures should have been taken to protect the concrete properly. This discoloration is permanent, and is unsightly. • Numerous areas of the concrete have been “flaking”. We have contacted an industry professional, who informs us that the problems we are experiencing are in part, as a result of the poor finishing techniques displayed by Abruzzi Carpentry. • Lastly, cracking has occurred on one of our steps. This may be due to the fact that there is no expansion joint used between the new concrete steps, and the foundation of the house. Again, this would be an error in judgement on the part of Abruzzi Carpentry. We believe that all of these issue are as a result of either poor workmanship and/or a defect in materials. I have phoned and spoken to the owner of Abruzzi Carpentry (Aldo D'allosio) on several occasions over the past 4-months now, asking him for his assistance in attending to these problems. In each conversation, he has said that he will "drop by this week", but to date we have yet to see him. It's not hard to find a contractor, but it's almost impossible to find one who cares! Don't even consider using Abruzzi Carpentry.

I had purchased a used pull-out love-seat, and was tired of the drab fabric that was on it so decided to have it recovered with one which suited my style and decor. My sister had used Anthony at Amp upholstery to recover a couple of chairs, and she was very pleased with the quality of his work. She had her chairs recovered 2-years ago, and they still look like new. I visited Anthony's showroom, where he has plenty of samples to choose from. He helped me pick out the right fabric that was in my budget, and the order was placed. He arranged for the pick-up, and within a week or so I received my love-seat back looking and feeling like it was brand new. I will be telling my friends about the great job Anthony did.