I'd like to share my experience with having Loctite to complete driveway / walkway interlocking and porch copping. The project was completed 1 week ago and in it is now in the phase of addressing several issues.
I will simply list what I liked and disliked:
What I like:
- Reasonable price if you manage to negotiate
- The owner (Greg)did accommodate my request to change the stone as it was not ordered yet.
- Loctite comes back and addresses immediate issues which I wish not have to begin with (moving copping step stones, shifting stones, joint sand is washing out).
- I wasn't asked for all these multiple payments upon excavation, upon stones delivery etc. I paid the balance after the job completed + tips (even with the issues which I discovered later)
What I disliked:
- Waited almost 2 month from the time I have signed the contract where was specified that job must be completed by July 1st, it was completed near 4 weeks later.
- Waited 3 weeks between my paving was taken off until interlocking job completed.
- Had to manage / oversee the project coming home early or during the launch, otherwise I would get not exactly what I asked ((placement of grey and beige stones).
- I was expecting that stones will be installed with one of 3 patterns suggested by manufacturer, I was flexible with which pattern they do it and didn't put in the contract and I was WRONG. Loctite installed the stones randomly. Why is it bad? Because now I have many random places where joint line between breaks goes continuously straight along 5-7 bricks and this becomes a small "river" when raining and washes joint sand out. In fact, I came home during the launch and have asked to use a pattern but was not able to get one as it was not in the contract. More then that, a crew member who did placed the stone on the driveway doesn't know any pattern and told me that I'm first customer who wants a pattern. Nice.
- Several issues immediately after job "done":
1. 2 copping stones on the top step (porch level) were not glued well and where shifting. Ryan (lead of the crew) fixed this, in fact, he was very responsive to come and address the issue.
2. About 8-10 stones where shifting on the porch - Ryan came and quickly re-packed most of them. 1 or 2 still moving.
3. Border stones (about 10) in a curved area of my walkway before steps are moving when you stay on them. - Promised that it will be fixed by installing a retainer. – this has been fixed by now.
4. Jointing sand that was used to fill joints between the stones is washing out. I just learned that Polymeric sand needs to be used, which hardens after wetting, and stays much longer. Called the owner (Greg) about this issue, he told me that I didn't pay for polymeric sand. Excuse me? I was never told that there are different types.
- Salesman (Scott) is a friendly guy and he will tell you several time that he will take care of you, but you likely will never see or hear him again after you paid commissions. He spend just 20 minutes with me, did beat other estimates, signed me and that was all (this was a reason that I had to change stone type, and some design, we never discussed patterns, we never discussed polymeric sand, etc). Just before the excavation task to begin, I have decided to do interlocking of the entire driveway (not just walkway as originally), was making an arrangement on additional cost with Greg, and it was higher than estimates given by the salesman originally. I just agreed to pay more, whatever Greg asked. What do you think next? The salesman shows up the next day to get his 10% commissions. Question is what for? OK - I have paid.
The job is done; minor issues with border stones and washing sand have been addressed and solved by Loctite.
Tips:
Learn best practices for interlocking jobs; be informative about how it supposed to be done. Include everything in the contract, take your time and don't rush, let the salesman spend time with you and earn his commission:
Specify pattern, what stone type and color, specify on the drawing where is a brick of different color, specify how deep excavation is (inspect it), specify how many inches gravel (inspect it) and amount of screening sand, write that polymeric sand must be used, specify deadline date when the project should be completed and what happens if it is delayed. Read on the back of the contract (if you can :-) )
I thank you for reading my review and hope it will help you to make informative decision when you hire a contractor to make interlocking for you.
UPDATE: Loctite did address outstanding issues. I have agreed to pay $0.50 per sq. feet to re-sand the driveway with polymeric sand.
Overall: I'm satisfied with the end result. Important is that Loctite (even after they get paid) does all possible to fix outstanding issues and keep their customer happy. This builds a confidence that with Loctite you will get repairs done during the warranty period.
Thank you, Greg!
