While Northland may be good at paving, I would suggest you may wish to consider another supplier for interlocking.
We had our driveway and front patio regraded and new interlocking done almost 4 years ago. Why did it take so long to write a review?? Partly 'who likes to be a complainer and write negative comments and partly because of a visit the salesman made to our home a few weeks ago when we happened to be home and he was showing our driveway off as one of their success stories (he did not bring them up to the top of the driveway where it is heaving). We had previously expressed our displeasure with the final grading and ponding at the bottom of the driveway however this was met with a response of 'nothing we can do'. Now, the interlocking is already heaving in some areas and since the salesman was there to 'show off' our driveway, we took the opportunity to advise him of the disappointment that the interlocking is already heaving. He pointed out it was a very hard winter but added "this is a quick fix" and "I'll speak to the owner and see what we can do. It would be a shame to lose this as a showcase property". That was over 3 weeks ago and we have not heard a word from Northland despite the fact they are in the neighbourhood doing the driveway across the street (asphalt).
Hence the review now and I sincerely apologize to anyone who has had the same difficulties we had during the job for not writing this sooner. Some highlights of the actual work experience by Northland:
* our contract called for a minimum base of 8-10 inches. After they had done the excavating and regrading they left the driveway advising it had to settle before they could put on the limestone. When they left, we dug pilot holes and checked the grading...the largest base in any one area was 4 inches and the grading was already at the final grade (thus no room for limestone). We called Northland, pointed out the lack of compliance to the contract and they sent back to their crew to do it all over again.
* Given the need to have a watchful eye, I took a day off to be home when they were scheduled to come back for the next stage. No phone call and no show. They did come the next day.
* Upon returning home from work, I questioned the foreman about the accent brick they were putting down. He advised me it was the accent brick we had chosen. As he was not willing to listen to our insistence that it was not, we got the very detailed contract and pointed to the name/number of brick on the skids which was clearly not the accent brick we had chosen and paid for. It turns out they didn't have any in stock and were trying to pass this brick off as a substitute. Not a viable option for us so they removed the 'substitutes' and purchased the ones we had contracted for.
These are just a couple highlights of our experience with Northland. This latest suggestion of fixing the heaving and not following through was the final slap in the face and what prompted this review (albeit late).
Despite a hard winter, we do not believe that the interlocking should be heaving AND we believe if a contractor is going to make a suggestion that he will 'see what we can do', he should get back to the customer to explain options and make it right (especially since they are doing another job right across the street).
The lack of commitment to doing what they say they will do without being chased/checked up on is why I would not recommend this company to my friend or family. If you are going to use them, I would strongly suggest a VERY detailed contract and a project manager to keep them to their word.
August 2014 update: the day after posting this review, I received a call from one of the staff at Northland who was quite upset by the review and I received a stern lecture and several excuses for the items listed above. She advised the owner would come out and see us the following Monday.
Sept. 2014 Update: Northland Paving has advised us that the ground in the Bluffs area is clay which makes interlocking brick very challenging. That, combined with the terrible winter accounts for the heaving. Additionally we were advised was that, with interlocking, you need to repair some of the polymeric sand every year and it wasn't possible to do more grading than what we ended with. All of which would have been nice to know IN ADVANCE of the decision to have interlocking versus paving. So, to reiterate my original point, suggest paving versus interlocking and ensure you have a well detailed contract, a project manager if you aren't able to be there when the job is being done and don't forget to check the base before continuing to paving or interlocking to ensure it meets what is required.
Now, does anyone have any suggestions for a reliable supplier who can fix our heaving?
- Approximate cost of services:
- $40,000.00