ComplaintsforMaxima Concrete LLC

• Initial Complaint

  06/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Colored concrete patio completed in October 2021. We choose a dark cedar stain, before long the color desegrated to a pale tone. Maxima came out and completed a spray treatment which we were told would bring the color out. It did not. After many conversations back and forth, Maxima did agree to replace the whole thing. When the concrete was laid the first time, our yard was destroyed because of the equipment used to get to the backyard. We spent $1000 to repair our yard. We have decided that the pain of having it replaced was not in our best interest because we lacked the confidence in Maxima to correct the problem. We thought a much less expensive solution would be to ask for a partial refund (enough to cover it with rugs and/or cover it with a profession epoxy company (cost is $2800)). But they refused to offer a partial refund for their mistake and would only replace it. If we didn't agree to replace then there is nothing more they could do. Bottom line- buyer beware of coloring the cement, it will probably not be the color you wished for, instead be out several thousands of dollars regretting your choice.

  

  Business response

  06/27/2022

  Maxima Concrete offers colored-only concrete as a customer choice.  This involves purchasing color pigment from a local decorative concrete supplier (Deco-Crete), handing the color to the ready-mix supplier truck driver, who adds it to the truck and mixes it and then pours the colored concrete out for us to finish.  Unfortunately, Maxima has zero control over how close the color matches what the customer picked out while at Deco-Crete.  We have never guaranteed the final color on these types of projects for this reason.  Our proposal, which was signed by the customer, states "There is no guarantee or warranty for any color or color variations for any concrete project."  I have included a copy of the proposal as well as a signature page with the customer's signature.   

  When the customer initially contacted us about their displeasure with the color of their patio, we explained to them again that we do not warranty color for this reason.  However, they told us this was not acceptable because of the amount of money they spent on their patio.  We do not want our customers to be unhappy so we offered to power wash and reseal the patio with a color-boost sealer (which is what was recommended by Deco-Crete).  However, that did not resolve the issue for them.  After telling them we do not warranty the color, and there was nothing further we could do, they repeatedly called us to push us to resolve the issue.  Because we don't want unsatisfied customers, we finally offered to fully replace their patio.  They decided they did not want that option and instead wanted us to refund them the $2,800, as stated in the complaint.  Maxima Concrete does not offer refunds on our projects. Also, as stated above, their issues did not relate to the concrete work itself, but instead the color.  Therefore, Maxima does not feel a refund should be given in this situation.  Unfortunately we were not able to come to a resolution that was acceptable to them.  

  Customer response

  06/29/2022

  I am rejecting this response because: The company did not give a solution in their reply, only placing blame on the customer. To place blame on the customer and the vendor, Deco-Crete is appalling.  We hired Maxima Concrete to do a job, not Deco-Crete.  It is up to the employees of Maxima; installing the patio to have experience on how to mix the cement. 

  I am not an expert and saw immediately that something was off; but the worker with broken english guarenteed that the "color will rise to the top". I took his word for it and they continued with the project. 
  Colored cement is nothing new and when it is done properly by knowledgeable people laying the concrete, it can turn out perfectly.  Therefore, it is Maxima Concrete fault that the employees did not do their job accurately.  
  The owner states "Maxima has zero control over how close the color matches what the customer picked out while at Deco-Crete" Again, blaming the customer who hired professionals to perform a task that they said they could do, 
  is not the customers fault,  Maxima Concrete has absolute control of getting the color correct, therefore the blame lies with them.  
  
  Our first mistake was trusting this company to produce a product that we payed thousands of dollars for.  
  We read and understand the contract, however can a company simply rely on the last sentence of their contract to nullify them of any wrongdoing?  We understood this sentence to mean that a slight color difference (one shade, or maybe even two shades), 
  but this is at least 10-15 shades from what we agreed to in the contract.  However, we ordered a DARK cedar color (see attachment- Terra Cotta and the results we received was a PINK patio.     
  
  
  Maxima Concrete states " we offered to power wash and reseal the patio with a color-boost sealer (which is what was recommended by Deco-Crete). However, that did not resolve the issue for them." This is a correct statement, we were told "let's try this first", which meant to us, they were trying to correct their mistake. Placing blame on a vendor, is not the solution here, taking responsibility for the poor craftmanship is the right thing to do.  Hiding behind this "warranty" is not an excuse on the 15 shade difference that was picked out, again do not do it if you can not produce the product!  We would have been fine with that and went with the recommendation of the professionals
  who lay the concrete.  Do not blame us or your vendor, that is insulting.
  
  The reason we have decided we didn't want to bust up the concrete and lay a new one is because of the lack of trust in their craftsmanship and work ethics.  Our yard had to be repaired once the workers left deep marks in our yard.  Plus, not only is the cement pink, the workers splashed this concrete on the wall of the house, so now we have pink on our house. We had our yard re-seeded and because the patio was so high up of the ground, we paid to have some one put more dirt and edge around it.  Costing us $1000.
  
  We don't think our request for a partial refund was unreasonable to help us pay for rugs or epoxy covering. My question to the owner, Flavio P, I want to know if you are proud of the results and would post our patio to your website as an example of your work or do you mind if I share this patio to many social media outlets and tag you? I have seen all of the colored patios completed on your website, surely you will post this one as well, correct?  I went ahead and attached some photos if you would like to use these.
  

  Pictures have been attached if you would like to use them for your website.

• Initial Complaint

  06/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We had this company replace some curbs on our driveway. Within 4 months, cracks developed on both sides of the driveway curbs around the drains that were installed. We called them and they came out in December and said they would have someone come out in the early spring to tell us what they were going to do to correct the issues (these were more than hairline cracks, which they said could occur over time). I finally had to call them in May and they could never give us an answer as to how they were going to repair the areas. They never gave us a definite answer. We paid them over $7000 and have never received any satisfaction on how this is going to be resolved. We even suggested refunding us half of the money so we could have some other company repair this mess.

  

  Business response

  06/09/2022

  We have been working with Sharon to correct her project to her satisfaction.  We have been emailing back and forth with the customer to satisfy their pre-visit concerns (i.e. having a specific plan of what to remove and replace).  We last spoke with the customer vis telephone approx 3 weeks ago. We understand the customer is frustrated with the wait.  We are prepared to perform any needed corrections the week of June 12th and have contacted the customer today (6/9/22) with this information.  We will continue to work towards a resolution to the customer's concerns.

• Initial Complaint

  05/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Per our contract we were explained that 4 inches of concrete would be used for our driveway. After completion the driveway is now 12 inches above the ground and poses a major tripping hazard and car damage hazard come winter if we were to get too close and drive off the edge. I have never seen a driveway sit a whole foot above the ground and after speaking to a couple landscaping companies there is nothing that can be done to alleviate the gap because the driveway sits too high and and as it slopes downwards towards our back porch would cause our basement to flood

  

  Business response

  06/09/2022

  On March 16, 2022, and at Mr. *****’s request, Maxima drafted a work proposal for the construction and installation of a new concrete driveway and step landing.  The proposal is attached to this email.  The proposal contains a detailed, itemized description of the scope of work and estimated cost of $6,920 for the driveway and $651.00 for the step landing.  Mr. ***** agreed to the terms, signed the proposal, and authorized Maxima to begin work.  A copy of the signature page of the proposal Mr. ***** returned is attached to this email. 
  
  Work started on or about May 4, 20222.  Work was completed on or about May 12, 2022.  A picture showing the completed project is attached to this email.  Maxima fully performed its obligations under the contract with Mr. *****. 
  
  However, Maxima is aware of Mr. *****’s dissatisfaction with the completed project because the driveway is higher off the ground that he expected.  As is necessary with a driveway project like this, the concrete was poured at a slight slope to prevent water from pooling in the summer and ice accumulation in the winter.  The slope resulted in a raised edge towards the back of the driveway.  While this problem is not a defect in the finished project and was an unavoidable consequence of the terrain and conditions of Mr. *****’s property, Maxima worked with Mr. ***** to address his concerns by backfilling his property with additional topsoil to help reduce the height of the driveway edge.  A picture of the completed backfill is attached to this email.  Maxima remains willing to work with Mr. ***** in a reasonable manner in hopes that he will be satisfied with the project.  Unfortunately, he called his credit card company, who took the funds back from us (which we are also responding to) and has now placed a complaint with you.  Please feel free to call or email me directly for further information.

   

  Natalie P

  614-571-9064

  natalie@maximaconcrete.com

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩