Hot Top Paving

I was so glad that after much research I decided to use this tree service! I was skeptical at first because of complaints that had been registered with the Revdex.com. However, a son-in-law recommended a tree service his family had used and it turned out to be with[redacted]. So I decided to give them a try. The hard working crew moved fast, precise and safely. In fact, while they were working in my yard a couple of neighbors came and asked for their services as well. By the time they had finished in my yard on July 6, 2013 I was so impressed with the job they had done that I knew I had made the right choice and would highly recommend them to anyone needing tree service.

Mr F[redacted] is now operating under a new business name. Star city asphalt and he cashed a 1400 ck and failed to provide the service. No response to repeated calls. Police involved June 2015

Review: On 6/14/12 Hot Top Paving paved my driveway, 1 year later they sealed it for an additional fee. This was warranty for 3 years, now there are cracks in the driveway and I called them 15 times to repair, but they never returned my calls. Would like my driveway cracks fixed before winter sets in or a total refund of $3,300.00.Desired Settlement: If Hot Top Paving can't respond to my simple request to fix the cracks in the driveway I would like a full refund.

Review: Hot Top Paving targeted & took advantage of my disabled, elderly mother.She paid many,many times more than she should have for very basic shoddy work.

On 6/28/13, [redacted] from Hot Top Paving knocked on my disabled, elderly mother's door offering to pave her driveway for "half price" with some leftover pavement he had. He did not quote her an exact price at the time. He came back later and laid a thin layer of asphalt on top of part of the old driveway (330 sq.ft.). After he finished the work, he wrote out a contract that said "excavate broken driveway and repave 3 inches compacted 2-1/2 inches" and received a check for $6450 from my mother. He told her not to tell anyone how much she paid.

He returned on 7/1/13 and laid another thin patch of asphalt on top of the old driveway (220 sq.ft.). After he finished the work, he wrote out another contract that stated " to dig bad areas, base bad areas as needed, pave 2-1/2 inches to side door", among other things. The pavement stopped well before the side door, the asphalt did not match the 1st patch he laid down and he left a very visible seam that crumbles to the touch. He received another check from my mother for $5800.

He returned again on 7/3 and applied a seal coat to the top 110 sq.ft. of the driveway as well as the existing curb running approximately 70 ft. down one side of the driveway. He added to the last contract paperwork "Warranty includes seal coating of driveway". He received another check for $3450.

He returned on 7/12. My mother told him she wanted the remainder of the driveway (approx. 576 sq.ft.) to be removed and planted with grass. He wrote up a contract that stated "Remove old driveway and replace with top soil and plant grass. Include drainage stone." He received a check for $5350. He left and returned the same day with equipment and he removed the bottom part of the driveway. He planned to return the next morning to finish the job.

At 7:00 AM Saturday morning 7/13, I received a call from my sister. She discovered that our mother had written 4 checks to the paving contractor totalling $21,050. She called the Meriden Police Department. An officer arrived to meet Mr. [redacted] who was scheduled to arrive at 9 AM. The officer filed a report of fraud and called Mr. [redacted] indicating that my mother did not want him on her property to finish the job.

Mr. [redacted] arrived at the house at 10:30 and proceeded to aggressively question my mother about what was wrong. Luckily, a neighbor arrived minutes later. Mr. [redacted] stopped harassing my mother and left the property.

Two men returned later that day to remove the equipment. I spoke with one of them on the phone and told him to have Mr. [redacted] call me. He did. We spoke for 20 minutes and I asked him to justify what he charged my mother. He defended his work, saying that materials and labor cost a lot of money and that he was a legit and honest guy and what he charged was fair. I said we would let him know if we wanted him to finish the job.

I flew to CT on 7/14 from my home out of state. My mother was very upset and embarrassed and just wanted the job to be finished so she could forget about the whole situation.

I left Mr. [redacted] a message on the morning of 7/15 requesting that he let us know when he would be returning to finish the job.

I spent 2 days gathering information on paving costs and well-known scams such as this "leftover pavement" scam.

By the time Mr. [redacted] called me Tuesday evening 7/16 to tell me he would be back in the morning to finish the job, I told him that we did not want him back on our property. I told him that it was outrageous what he took from my mother and I demanded a full refund. He defended himself and his business and his costs. He wanted to negotiate a refund and I refused. I told him to send a refund check to my mother.

Two Revdex.com A+ rated contractors quoted me a local asphalt overlay price of $2.00/sq.ft. Mr. [redacted] charged $19.55/sq.ft. for one patch of asphalt, $26.26/sq.ft for another patch, and $31.36/sq.ft. for sealer only!! He completely took advantage of my mother.

Desired Settlement: Mr [redacted] of Hot Top Paving took advantage of my disabled, elderly mother. I believe she deserves to be refunded the full amount of $21,050.

However, after speaking with 2 different Revdex.com A+ rated paving contractors, who were appalled and sickened by what Mr. [redacted] charged my mother, I will accept a refund of $19,050 which is $21,050 minus $2,000. I believe that is more than generous for the work that was performed and the trauma he has put my family through.

Business

Response:

Consumer Response /* (-101, 6, 2013/08/05) */

From: [redacted] (mailto:[redacted]@yahoo.com)

Sent: Monday, August 05, XXXX XX:XX AM

To: [redacted]

Subject: Hot Top Paving Update

Hi [redacted],

I just want to give you a quick update on our situation...

The CT Department of Consumer Protection and the Meriden Police Department are still working on the case. I am optimistic that we will see some positive results.

The Channel 8 investigative reporter, David Iversen and his team have been working really hard on this story, which will air tonight. He will talk about it a little bit on the 5PM and 6PM news, and the full 6 minute story will air at 11PM.

I hope you get a chance to watch it!

Consumer Response /* (-5, 10, 2013/08/11) */

Consumer indicated they have heard from the company, but the issue has not been resolved. Comments follow below:

We received a 2 page hand-written letter from Hot Top Paving on 7/24/13. Most of the letter summarizes Mr. [redacted]'s version of events from July 13-17, which included conversations with the police, my mother and myself.

The letter concludes as such: (She=Me, the daughter)

"...She then stated she did not want Hot Top Paving finishing the job. [redacted] told her he just ordered all the materials and is there some type of an agreement they can come too. She stated she wanted all the money back. [redacted] stated he can not do that, he had done a lot of work there at that property. He said he is willing to come to a reasonable agreement. She said no she wanted all the money back. [redacted] stated he can not do that. This letter is to inform you we would like to come to a reasonable agreement. If not we will have to take it to the next step. Thank you for your time Hot Top Paving"

I refuse to negotiate with Mr. [redacted] for several reasons:

1.) He manipulated and took advantage of my elderly, disabled mother, charging her $17,250 - $19,050 more than he should have, so I do not believe that a fair and honest negotiation is possible with someone who conducts business in this way.

2.)The letter threatens us! "...we would like to come to a reasonable agreement. If not we will have to take it to the next step..."

3.)I have already requested over the phone that he send a check to my mother for a full refund or whatever he thinks is fair. She has received nothing.