ComplaintsforJulius C. Howe Asphalt Sealing Company

• Initial Complaint

  09/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On March 10, 2023 I signed an agreement with Julius Howe Asphalt and Sealing, a company I had used previously and was always satisfied with. It also was highly recommended to replace my driveway which would involve tearing it up and asphalting a new driveway. I agreed to the price of $8000 on completion and mailed in my agreement. Past 5 pm on Friday, June 9, I received a phone message from Mr. Howe wanting to start the work on Monday June 12. Because I had previously scheduled interior painters, and a tree trimmer and landscaper for the week this was impossible. I continued to call throughout the summer to schedule the work and was patient as they told me that they were working on school playgrounds. I talked to Mr. Howe a few times during the summer. In August, I was told I was tentatively scheduled for Monday August 28. When I called to verify that I was told it wasn't scheduled. I continued to call attempting to get a firm start date which never occurred. When I called again Sept. 19 I was told that Mr. Howe told them to tell me that he didn't think his machinery would fit in my driveway, a thing he had never mentioned before in his bid or when he tried to schedule the work in June. I have requested that he call me and have had no response. I feel that I am being blown off by him possibly because I am older and a woman. If I have to put this off until next year it will cost me more and I am living on a fixed income. I want the agreed on work to be completed before the weather makes it impossible.

  Business response

  10/04/2023

  I did try to set this up, at that time My salesman that does sealing bids had determined it was beyond sealing. He knows the math for paving but does not know the things you have to consider.  We would try another time.When i found out what street she was on I knew I would not be able to get my equipment behind the house. Something a new salesman would think about. After speaking with her I told her at that time I would check it out. I called back and left a message on a machine that I would not be able to perform the work I am slammed shorthanded on man power just like everyone else. I have sealed this drive a couple of times and we have to bucket everything because we cant get truck in the back. **** **** is a nice lady and have never had a problem in the past. I can pave from the the main drive and seal the back but that is the best I can do. If I cant do a job right I will not do it!!!  I have the right as a contractor to back out of a contract just as much as a customer back out of one.

  Dig out and pave front $5000.00

  Seal back area $350 no crackfill

  Customer response

  10/04/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, reasons for rejection are included below. I reject the proposal. I no longer have confidence in the company and will not use them in the future
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ****
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We had a 19 year old gravel driveway that we wished to have paved. We received a quote from Julius Howe For a 3" thick asphalt driveway to be installed with them also adding a compacted gravel base. After the paving was completed, there were a few areas where the asphalt appeared to be quite thin. Julius assured me it was fine and would not be an issue. This was paved in the beginning of Fall 2021 and by early to mid Summer 2022 (well within 1 year warranty period) the driveway began developing substantial cracks throughout the entire driveway. When I attempted to reach out to them for warranty repair work, my emails were disregarded and never answered. Finally got an email back from Julius stating he would come take a look at things. Two days later I received an email saying the damage was not under warranty because it does not cover EXTREME weather conditions because the extreme drought we had Summer of 2022. WE DUD NOT HAVE ANYTHING NEAR A DROUGHT IN 2022. Also included in the email was a nearly $4,000.00 estimate to repair the cracks and seal the driveway. We have already paid over $22,000 for the initial job. We would like it to be properly fixed or refunded the money to have someone else fix it properly. When we explained our part they have ignored us completely since.

  Business response

  12/16/2022

  This job was completed properly last year. We do not take short cuts. In fact the drive required an additional 40 tons of gravel which I never even charged for. We installed 3" of asphalt which once compacted is 2 1/2". Customer called and said something about some cracks. So I gave him a bid to crackfill and seal which after one year drive should be sealed. He has a lot of edge cracks there are a couple transverse cracks but like i stated mainly edge. Edge cracks tend to appear when people drive on the edge and dry conditions. We have had an extrodinary dry summer. spring was wet we had heavy rain Sept 4th most of the summer was dry. When your yard starts cracking the same thing is happening under the driveway. This year has been challenging with the dry conditions not just for me but everybody in the asphalt industry. we are all have cracking issues especially on asphalt overlays. This complaint came in as the season is ending so I sent my men to crackfill his drive at no charge. I went out of my way for this guy last year and put him in front of other customers so his drive was ready for his daughters wedding and had to wait a while for payment for his financing to go through. 

  Customer response

  12/16/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I would like to thank Julius Howe Paving for filling the cracks. As I stated, there was ZERO response in regards to the cracks in the summer. I only wanted the cracks filled and protected for the winter and to insure there would be no more issues. The delay in payment was thoroughly communicated throughout the time period as we were waiting on our credit union to put it through the required steps to finance it. Again I appreciate you taking care of the cracks and I will amend any reviews to show the follow up repairs.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** ******
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/23/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Asphalt overlay of existing driveway work was performed 7/15/22. After flooding rains at the end of July, it was noticed water was not draining at the driveway apron via a drainage pipe causing water to pond on the roadway, driveway, and yard. I retrieved a long, sturdy, metal pole to investigate any blockage; to which no blockage was found. However, I attempted to push the metal pole through the other end of the drainage pipe and struck a hard surface. Upon further inspection of the drainage side of the pipe, it was clear this side was covered during the overlay. Both ends of the pipe were flush with the existing grade and driveway apron. The overlay was 2.5" and the existing driveway footprint remained unchanged except the "discharge" side of the driveway apron. On 9/10/22, two Julius C. Howe employees arrived to make repairs to property damage noted before the issue described above. During the repair work, I asked them to join me in observing the condition described above. Both gentlemen observed the condition and attempted to slightly dig near where the discharge end of the pipe would be. They quickly determined the pipe was covered by the slope of asphalt as the apron was noticeably widened. Discussing amongst themselves, both gentlemen also acknowledged who they suspected "ran this job" (which they were correct) but I did not affirm. I asked if I could expect any push-back from ****** (owner of the company) and they both adamantly stated, "Absolutely not! ****** is a straight forward guy and will do what's needed to fix the problem." (paraphrasing). I reached out to, Mr. **** on 9/12 to describe the newly realized issue and requested it be corrected. His response to this matter has been resistant and passive despite the evidence and only requesting the drainage pipe be re-exposed and the necessary patching be completed. Stop payment for the completed work was threatened in order to get a response which was, "Sir at some point I will be out there."

  Business response

  12/22/2022

  We paved the driveway over existing asphalt to straighten out by the road we did overlap into the grass a couple of inches. Guy complained after heavy rain Sept 4th that we paved over the culvert pipe. I checked it out myself NOT TRUE sent my men out on two occasions and the culvert is sooted in and was before we started the project. I have pictures showing that the pipe was several inches below the driveway. My men trenched it by hand and got the water flowing. Since it was not my fault I sent him a fair bill for $400.00  Should have been min. $900. I do not know how to send pics from phone to email but I have about 15 pics. Both my men will testify that the drainage issue was not my fault.
  

  
  

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