Father & Son Masonry

Review: On April 15, 2015 we hired Father & Son Masonry to resurface a patio and stucco four steps. [redacted] and his father [redacted]) came to the house. [redacted] sat and talked while [redacted] reviewed the work request and provided the estimate. We thought the price was fair so we hired them on the spot. We wrote a check for a $500.00 deposit. [redacted] hand wrote on a piece of paper provided by us what he would do and the price. He told our daughter, who was there at the time, that he would send her an email with the official quote and contract. That email was never received. Our daughter called him on April 20 and 22, leaving a message each time requesting the contract. The calls were not returned. The job was completed on April 28 at which time we wrote a check for the balance - $2500.00. The checks were made out to [redacted]'s mother). He again wrote on a piece of paper that the work was completed with payment received in full. When we were able to walk on the patio a few days later, we noticed there was a space in front of one of the steps that was not filled in. We were also not happy with the level of the step leading to the back door. We called on May 1, 4 and 8. On May 8 [redacted] returned the call and came out to fill the space and change the level of the lower step. This was only after our son, who also had work done by them, told him he would not pay him until he settled with us. The cement was a different shade but [redacted] assured us that it would blend in with the rest - it still has not.

About 5 weeks later we noticed a hairline crack down the center of the patio. We called [redacted] on June 6 and spoke to him. He said he would come by on June 7 to look at it - he did not show up. We called again on June 9 and left a message. On June 15 we called again and spoke. He said he would come by on June 17. When he didn't show up we called. He said that he was waiting for his father and materials and would call back in 45 minutes. He did not call or show up. We called twice more that day - once leaving a message and once speaking to him with no results. At this time, we have not called again and neither [redacted] nor his father has come by to look at or repair the crack.

Because we did not receive a formal contract or any contact information other than phone numbers, we do not have any way to get in touch with them. The father also does not answer his phone. We also called him once on June 17.

Their ad states "all work guaranteed". We have tried to resolve this with them but have not been able to since they do not return calls. (We have recently noticed another crack in a different area of the patio which has not been addressed with them)Desired Settlement: We would prefer that the cracks be fixed but only if they can guarantee that the cement will be the same shade when it dries and that it will not crack again. Because this has not happened with the space they previously filled or with the color of the steps we do not see how they can guarantee it. We were told by another contractor that it would not look the same and they recommended removing the entire patio and installing a new one. Because we do not believe that the repair can be done to our satisfaction, we are seeking a refund from the company since they guaranteed the work and have not made any effort to resolve the problem with us.