DBF CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION INC

Duane installed a new cover over front porch cement. There are shoe marks that won’t come off and touch ups are needed. The original deal was to seal the new cover that ws never done. I had 2-3 appts with his and he failed to show up. Lastly, he suggested he would repair his work for 50.00 dollars or if he gets new business from me. Play to pay.

Glen (owner) was responsive, professional, punctual. Replaced and widened our aging sidewalk with a graduated concrete ramp connecting to our front porch. Arrived as promised with crew of 4 who worked nonstop. Was careful to identify and work around cables and wiring that ran under existing sidewalk. Project was completed in a day and looks fantastic. Would definitely be my first point of contact for future concrete work.

At first, I was satisfied with the job.  The work crew seemed to know what they were doing and completed the job in a timely manner.  The finished product looked good.  The guarantee was for 2 years, but contained no detail ("All material is guaranteed to be as specified").  The contractor left behind no information about maintenance and never mentioned anything about periodic "sealing."  But then...

Beginning after about 3 years, the driveway showed significant "pitting", i.e. pock marks where the surface coat had disappeared, in many locations to a depth that exposed the reinforcing gravel beneath.  I interpreted that as a sign of poor materials, since other concrete surfaces (other driveways, aprons, sidewalks, etc.) seem to last much longer without such damage (and without periodic sealing).

When I called the company to discuss this, I was told to contact Mr. Duane Bailey (240-691-8940), which I did on 5/21/2015.  Mr. Bailey asked if I had sealed the driveway as directed.  I responded that I had never been instructed to seal the driveway, so I had not.  He informed me that all concrete needs to be sealed annually to protect against salt, and that the pitting was a direct result of salt dripping from my cars. He said they could repair the driveway and seal it, but it was a bit expensive, but cheaper that pouring a new driveway.  He said he would come look at it on Saturday 5/23/2015, but never showed.

I called Mr. Bailey again on 5/27/2015, and he said he did not come because they were busy with new work, but that he would come by some time that week.  He never showed.

I called him again on 6/11/2015, and he said he would come that Saturday and do the repairs and sealing.  I told him not to plan on doing any work because I wanted to see a written proposal with costs beforehand.  I told him I expected some relief since I had never been told to seal the driveway and that I expected it to last more than 3 years anyway.  He said he would come that Saturday and leave me a written proposal.  He never showed.

I called him again on 6/16/2015, and told him I was going to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and write negative reviews on Angie's List and Washington Consumer Checkbook.  He again said he would come that Saturday to do the work.  I told him again that I first wanted a written proposal detailing the work and costs.  He said he would come by that night.  Surprise...he never showed.

So, in summary, DBF Concrete used (in my opinion) poor materials, did not leave behind maintenance instructions, lied about that, refused to stand behind their product, blamed me for the deterioration, and failed to show up for 4 appointments with no cancellation notice or apology.  Mr. Duane Bailey is probably the least professional home improvement contractor that I have dealt with in 45 years of home ownership.

Actually, I called this company by mistake because their name was similar to another. However, Glenn was in the neighborhood and came by that day. He seemed to understand what my home inspector had said better than the other three companies that had come by and had a better price than anyone. He seemed honest, so I hired him. His men were so helpful and careful in all they did. Glenn came by to inspect at the end and noticed that a part of the support for my garage door had been damaged. He fixed part immediately and had somebody come by to replace the whole frame! He offered to make a concrete patio, so I hired him and the job was fantastic! Again, Glenn came to check on the work afterward.