Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Two weeks ago, Markham resident Steve Park said a paving company told him it was doing jobs in the area and could pave his driveway the next day for $3,500.
"I think I was played by them. They knew what to say and how to say it. A handshake used to mean something, but now it does not seem to anymore,” said Park.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The crew showed up but said there were problems including paving over the watermain in his driveway so the driveway had to be ripped up.
"You can see where they ripped it up and the patches because when they couldn't find the watermain they didn't know where it was so they were just guessing,” Park said.
Park said his driveway was left uneven with highs and lows so when it rains there are huge pools of water and asphalt is splattered on his stonework.
Most frustrating, he said, there is now a huge pile of asphalt and debris on his lawn which they promised to come back and take away but they never did.
“I contacted them with messages, calls and they haven't got back to me so I guess I’m stuck cleaning up this mess,” he said.
CTV News Toronto also phoned the company and they hung up on us and our emails were not returned.
When Park researched the company he found it was using a similar sounding name to reputable paving companies working in Toronto and New Jersey.
“At first, I felt good when I got a 15-year warranty, but it's more like 15 minutes,” Park said.
We’ve done several stories with homeowners in the past who were also left with sub-par jobs and a mess on their property.
When choosing a driveway paving company, according to the Ontario Consumer Ministry, get three estimates, have a written contract, inspect prior paving jobs, ask friends and family for recommendations and never pay in advance.
Park said he now has to get rid of the rubble left on his lawn and said next time he’d rather pay a higher price to get a better job.
"You pay more, but you've always got coverage and someone you can contact if there is a problem,” he said.
You should also watch out for companies going door-to-door saying they'll be in your area soon and they're collecting deposits for paving jobs. There have been cases where after they get the money they don't come back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Beef on and off the ice: Who has the best steak between Alberta and Texas?
As the Edmonton Oilers battle the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs' Western Conference Finals, there's some beef brewing off the ice as well.
Trump election victory 'very unlikely,' but 'possible': former FBI director Comey
Former FBI director James Comey says while he believes former U.S. president Donald Trump "will be defeated" in the upcoming presidential election, he doesn’t think it’s a given.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.