The last 10% is everything and communication is key
I contacted Gabriele from Delia Interlocking Ltd. to revamp the front and back of my property and extend my driveway in September 2023. Initially, communication was prompt, and he provided a comprehensive estimate, covering new stone steps, a driveway extension, and a jewel stone finish on the porch. He also provided an estimate to clean and reseal the pavers in my backyard. Based on our discussions, I decided to proceed with the front yard and driveway extension only.
Work Quality and Execution:
The porch repair started promptly, but the subcontractor had multiple no-shows, causing significant delays. Despite Gabrieles apologies, it became clear that his scheduling and management were inadequate. The porch work was eventually completed to an acceptable standard, though there were additional, unclear charges for patching that felt unwarranted.
When it came to the driveway extension and walkway, the job was completed in one day. However, Gabrieles supplier fell short on matching pavers, resulting in him proposing an additional charge to replace all the existing pavers. After some negotiation, he agreed to absorb the cost. Unfortunately, the heavy equipment used left the driveway covered in mud and tire tracks. Gabriele assured me that he would return to clean it, but despite numerous follow-ups, he never did.
Communication and Reliability:
After the initial work, Gabrieles responsiveness diminished. Despite multiple attempts to schedule the promised driveway cleanup, his responses were inconsistent, and he cited personal reasons. I tried to be understanding, but his lack of action and communication over months was frustrating.
In the spring, while following up on the driveway cleanup, I also tried to schedule the backyard revamp we had discussed. Gabriele continued to make excuses, saying he would provide updated estimates and timelines, but nothing materialized. I eventually lost faith in his ability to deliver and hired another contractor to complete the backyard. Despite his promise to at least clean and seal the driveway at his own cost, he never showed up. I ended up paying another contractor to clean the driveway, resolving an issue that had dragged on since the previous fall.
Conclusion:
While the initial work quality was satisfactory, Gabrieles reliability, project management, and post-work support were severely lacking. The experience was disappointing, and despite my patience and numerous attempts to resolve the issues, I had to pay additional costs to rectify the problems he left behind.
I would not recommend Delia Interlocking Ltd. based on my experience. Gabriele started with enthusiasm but ultimately failed to follow through, making this a frustrating and costly experience.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $12,000.00
- Company Response
Thank you for sharing your feedback, Jake. While I’m sorry you felt disappointed with the experience, I want to clarify some details. We encountered delays largely due to weather, something I addressed upfront when discussing the project’s timing. I always strive to maintain open communication with clients, but in this case, your time constraints related to property access added significant pressure beyond my control.
Regarding project changes, after initial materials were purchased and brought on-site, your decision to cancel parts of the work complicated scheduling and coordination. My priority was always to deliver high-quality results at a fair price, and I offered competitive pricing to reflect the previous success we had together. It’s unfortunate the experience wasn’t to your satisfaction, as we genuinely aim to exceed client expectations.
Best wishes on your future projects.