After reviewing and meeting with 3 highly rated contractors from the Homestars website, we decided to hire TWG to design and build a new front entrance/steps to our home. We were not quite sure what we wanted, but Todd was helpful in suggesting ideas. We meet with Todd once or twice before deciding on a final design. Todd mentioned that he is hands on with his projects and that he would be on site often during the work. Over the course of the roughly 7-8 days, there were three employees that did most of the work, but we never did see Todd on site very often if at all.
Our newly designed front entrance has a total of 8 steps with the steps broken by two landings (1 step-landing, three steps- landing and a final three steps to the porch). I noticed half way through the build that the final 3 steps before the porch were not level and I mentioned that to one of the workers on site. I was assured that they would be leveled. As the project neared completion and final touches were being made, the three top steps remained untouched. It appeared as though they were intentionally working around the steps. Once the work had been completed, I did have Todd onsite to level off the top three steps. He did make an adjustment that made the steps more level, but they still were not properly leveled (they are just less than an inch from level from end to end).
I left another message for Todd about the steps still not being level and he returned my call and stated that he would come by the house the following day level of the stairs. The next evening I came home, but nothing was done. Todd had left me a message that he had been by the house and that there was nothing he could do to level the stairs. I believe he claimed that the slabs used were bowed and that he couldn't do anything more to level off the stairs. I'm not sure if this is actually the case as I cannot tell myself if the slabs are indeed bowed, but if they are I do question why Todd (or the TWG employee responsible for sourcing materials), would have purchased bowed slabs in the first place.
Overall, I really like the design created by Todd. If I could do it over again, I would have definitely brought up the issue with the top three steps not being level earlier. I had assumed that this would be corrected prior to completion of the project - it was not. Additionally, I should have probably held back some of the payment until the stairs were leveled properly. At this point, I will most likely have to hire someone to properly level the stairs next spring if I can't figure out how to do it myself.
I would probably recommend TWG to a friend, but I would suggest they monitor more closely the work that is being done and address issues with craftsmanship and materials right away.
