Last fall (2013) we contacted Simms and requested he look at our 37 yr. old concrete patio (which was badly cracked) to see if he could replace it. He gave us a couple ideas and his suggestions for the 19'x19' area. After discussions of different options and their pros and cons, we made our decision and he put us on his list of jobs to do, and come end of November, he was ready to start. Before he started, we dug up all the landscaping that was around old patio, and tore down the old arbor that was over patio. Simms would have done both of these jobs, but in order to save a little money, we chose to do them. We also went to a Lexington,KY paver company, to pick out the pavers of our choice, to be used for the patio floor. They came in and broke up the old concrete slab and hauled it away. Leveled the area and brought in Indiana limestone to use as our outside wall to hold in the gravel and pavers he would be laying. He was very careful to make sure each piece had a tight fit, so gravel would not wash out between cracks, and squared everything up nice and straight and level. Before they began laying actual patio, they installed the new fire pit, all formed from the Indiana lime stone and fire brick. This pit was just off the edge of the 19 x19 patio. The land slopes a little, so, the walls were 3 stones deep on the down side and just one deep at the level of the patio. Once it was all laid, they poured the gravel on the patio, level and stamped it down. Then came the pavers. By dry laying instead of using concrete, they were able to continue through the colder days of December. They showed up each morning at day break and worked even with snow flying. There were no surprises, so work progressed nicely. They did lay a pipe under patio to catch rain from a downspout, which took the water away from foundation. We had an old sidewalk that was not cracked or anything, but next to new patio, it looked so old. So Simms concreted rock over the top of the old sidewalk, to blend in with the new patio. Then he finished by laying two large pieces of Indiana limestone (staggered) on top of each other, and they make our new steps into back porch. We are very pleased with the final patio, sidewalk and fire pit. Everything is really lovely, and we have received many compliments. Simms and his crew are excellent in clean up and going with the flow of making changes. He's all about the customer being happy with final outcome. p.s. We had hired Simms in 2012 to put up a retaining wall, and you can see the review on it too. He did such a good job there, that we did not hesitate to hire him again. When he agreed to do, we did not even consider anyone else. He is that good at what he does
Dennis M.
