ArtistaCrete Engraving Inc

Just GREAT.  Showed up on time.  Worked all day to finish job.  Returned next morning to help move heavy owners materials back into garage.  Was $800 less than another company using what looked like the same products.  The process was NOT dusty due to his equipment.  Went thru three different sets of grinding teeth to remove the previous paint.

you have my previous report above
once he finally gave me a 'green' shade "limestone" he mixed it in a 5 gallon pail, telling me he has a 3 hour window at the job he was currently doing and would be back to re-stir with an electric mixer.  HE NEVER RETURNED.  Due to the heat I could only do 4 hours a day painting the squares on my side and knee, total time 28 hours (7 days).

Todd came over on a Saturday morning after looking at a friend's drive unit #113.  The first thing he told me after measuring was I could not have that design as my driveway had too many cracks/cuts.  He suggested a square design to blend in with the cuts.  Then he asked me what color I was interested in & I pointed to my walls & said the same as my walls & exterior of my home "sage green".  He showed me a book that showed homes he had done with defining mixture of shades.  After looking at the color chart I chose "Dark Platinum" as it seemed to have a combination of 'greens' from light to darker.  He never told me that shade would be a variation of light blues.  From the first stroke of his brush about a 3 x 3 square I said gee that's really blue.  He told me the colors would get darker by each step.  The following day I again said it still looks really blue when will it be 'green' he said as each step gets applied. Knowing at that time I was concerned with this shade why didn't he stop & say maybe we should take another look at the color chart.  I would have chosen 'Desert Beige' at the beginning if I had known my driveway would be nothing but blues.  I have no blues on the exterior of my home only the home (sage green & garage), awning green, & the shutters & curbing red.Now that it has been completed and sealed it is a variation of light to medium blues, it does not look even close to the 'Dark Platinum' nor to the people who walk or ride by.  My friends wanted to talk to him Saturday the 25th of August & they both said all they see is 'blue' also, (pretty but blue).  I begged him to do something to add some color to make it green & if the blue has to remain let be so very light in the background.  He told me then & prior maybe when it's re-sealed in three years.  I know from having the curbing it had to be re-sealed last summer & it is nothing but a clear sealer so how or when will it become 'green'?You can have no idea how hurt it feels to look out each day at the driveway I wanted for 3 years not to be what I really wanted a REAL VARIATION of greens.  Would he let his parents have to live with something that stands out for everyone to see be forced to have a color they never wanted?  I am not angry with him he is a nice man I'm just extremely hurt.  Living only on Social Security I've dreamed of having this done for 3 years & now why do I have to live with a color I don't even have outdoors?  I feel hurt & ashamed as I have to face people who go by my drive since I am at the end of the street everyone has to turn around next to my drive.

Todd Bowman is the owner, and did all of the work himself.  His estimate was in the ballpark with painting-only estimates, but the samples of his work show a much better-looking result, similar to tile.  He gave a price based on a simple design without sanding and a much higher one with more sanding and other prep work.  He noted that without sanding, there would be imperfections in the spots he pointed out on the lanai. 

The work took 3 days- cleaning, cutting and painting, and then sealing.   If he comes to give you an estimate, look at the painting on the side of his truck- that is what ours looks like.  

I think it looks very good- way better than just painting the lanai and walkway.  It is similar, but not as good looking as tile- but tile would be a lot more expensive. There are minor imperfections in the places he mentioned there would be, but they are not very noticeable.  We are therefore glad we saved the money by not going with the sanding preparation.

Todd was pleasant and low-key.  He did everything when he said he would.

We probably should have looked at places where he has already worked, although we got a good idea from his photo album.  Still, I would recommend homeowners try to do look at real examples before making a final decision.

We are pleased with the result, and recommend the company.