In August of 2012 I contracted Zachary M, owner of Northern Rock Landscape & Design of Mississauga, ON, to perform the following services for my home:
1) create an interlocking brick front walkway;
2) create an interlocking brick side walkway;
3) create two faux wooden pillars to cover existing old wrought-iron supports
4) create a garden bed of mulch, river bed rocks, and shrubs to add to the aesthetics of the front entranceway
Zachary created a very detailed 3D drawing of what he was proposing, which was why I chose his company. He seemed to know what he was doing from a design perspective.
The problem was with the execution. The front walkway is satisfactory, although there are a few bricks that move when you step on them. The pillars took weeks to construct. I had to have them remove the bottom and top trim pieces completely as the craftsmanship was marginally better than can be produced from a 10-year-old in their first shop class. The lumber was warped, there were no mitered corners, and not a straight cut was to be found. It took several weeks of waiting and several visits to get it corrected.
However, the biggest issue is with the side walkway. I was told that the drainage pipe would be extended down and underneath the walkway, away from the house. It was not – after the first torrential downpour the walkway caved in! The water eroded the gravel underneath, as it was not extended properly. Zachary apologized, and fixed the cave-in. This was fine – until the next day’s downpour, where it caved in again!
I was promised (promised, not told) on four different occasions last fall that he would drop by to fix the problem properly, and four times he didn’t show up. I’ve tried again this spring to have him remedy the problem, but he’s cancelled twice on me already.
He obviously is not going to fix the drainage problem, even though this is straight from the contract:
“Reason for all the materials in the project. Northern Rock Landscape & Design does all project the correct way,
Making sure all our clients are happy in the end. All of our projects come with a three year warranty.
Why our warranty is so long is because we build our base for our interlock correct and promising there will be no frost heaves in the spring time or any interlock shifting in future. We promise our work, and always have our projects completed on time”
So I am one unhappy client with a useless three year warranty that means nothing to him. I have been extremely patient for nine months now, but after so many empty promises (in writing!) I feel that I have to share my experience with this company.
July 2013 Update: He did come by in May to fix the brickwork, but broke a brick in the process. I’ve tried repeatedly to find out when he will replace the brick and resurrect my sinking walkway, but I get no response. It’s almost been a year since I first contracted Northern Rock Landscape and the job is not completed.
August 2013 response to Zachary's comments: The drain still isn't fixed almost a year later; the brick has been broken since he broke it in May and every time it rains material is eroded. I said I would use them again before all of these issues were known, and before promises were constantly made and broken. I have asked Zachary to remove pictures of my house from his website on 3 occasions, which he still has not done. I've since sold my home (I begged Zachary to fix the issue before I listed the house, no response) and there is NO WAY he'll be getting near my new house...
