Midwest Concrete Services Inc

This entire project went horrible!! When I originally met with Mr. Al Johnson (owner) he informed me this was going to be a big pour and would be done in three separate pours. Also, permission was given to allow them to use my personal bobcat to move a couple buckets of rock to form trench drain. This is not what happened. The entire floor, trench drain and apron were poured in one 95+ degree day. The first truck showed up at noon. Several times prior to this and even 15 mins before. I told Mr. Johnson the trucks will not fit inside due to door height (which are 12' x 12'). As the first truck was guided in by Mr. Johnson the truck hit the building. Causing damage to the header,wall tin and trim around door. I should also interject at this point that they ran out of rebar in front of my overhead doors while prepping the floor. They started the pour, I asked what about the missing rebar. I was told they have some coming don't worry. Truck #2 shows up and they continue pouring. I ask again about rebar, I was told it's coming. Truck #3 sat up on the street for 40 minutes, and had the rebar, when he started to pour. I asked again about the rebar. This is when I realized and was told by Mr. Johnson this was going to be done all in one day. He told me, "He wanted to get his monies worth out of all the guys" he had there. While they started to pour truck #3 I expressed my concern (loudly) that I needed rebar in front of my doors. They removed 2 pieces of rebar from the east side of the unpoured building and thru it over by the doors. It was not tied in with the other rebar at all. They also had 17.3 gallons of water added half way through the pour of truck #3. At this time I knew very little about concrete and did not realize the problems and issues this would cause. Truck #3 finished pouring. The entire shop and trench drain was poured. They did not replace the rebar removed from east side and never finished the rebar in front of the 3 (12' x 12') over head doors. Now they begun the prep for the apron. I tried to explain to Mr. Johnson how unsatisfied I was. He told me he doesn't have time to talk and ignored me. As they pulled the forms from infront of the 3 overhead doors. Two of the doors had concrete thickness of 1.5". I expressed my concern about the thickness and was ignored. Truck #4 shows up to pour the apron. There was no rebar installed to tie in main floor to apron. The apron was poured. Shortly after that they begin to use a power trowel to finish floor. As Mr. Johnson power troweled he sprayed water over the top to make a smooth finish. Again, not knowing much about concrete, I did not see the problem. As he continued to finish floor it started to rip out big chunks. Mr. Johnson came back the next day to start patching all the bad areas. Then asked for final payment. As the days go by the floor started to de-laminate and started showing large blisters. The top 1/4" layer of the floor started flaking off and cracking. This where it goes from bad to worse. I explained to Mr. Johnson final payment will not be made until the 14 concerns I had with floor were delt with. At this time Mr. Johnson decided not to answer phone calls anymore. It turned into a 3 month endless email debate. One of his excuses was he told me Cemstone gave him bad concrete and wanted them to come look at it. So, Cemstone came out to look at the floor, took several pictures. They told me that all the problems stem from the prep of the floor and the improper finishing of the concrete. Mr. Johnson still refused to address my concerns. So, I took him to conciliation court and sued him for damages. I won the judgement and his counter suite was dismissed. Shortly after that I get an email by My. Johnson refusing to pay the judgement. He stated that no judge was going to make a ruling from the bench to make him pay. He also stated that he will drag this out for years in Appeals court and cost me several thousands in attorneys fees. This is where I am at as of now. Hiring an Attorney. Here are some of the issues: The entire floor does not have rebar. The floor is not 4" thick. It is 1.5" thick in front of doors. The floor was to have a smooth finish. What I have is the entire top layer de-laminating. Damage to my building. Trench drain was to be 12" x 34'. What I received was a 8" x 34' drain. Over head doors do not close/ lock. The elevation across door slope in center not allowing the door to seal. Water comes in when it rains. Overhead door tracks are imbedded in concrete. Small service door opens half way, then hits floor. But water pools at threshold. The trench drain elevation is incorrect and not a smooth bottom finish. Use of my personal bobcat for the entire project. The reason I have been so detailed in this review, is because I knew very little about concrete at the time of the project. That is why I hired it out to a professional. Or so I thought. I actually own a landscape/ lawn maint. company, so I am familiar with the work. But, did not feel comfortable enough about doing such a large project myself. I DO NOT want anyone else to go through the headache myself and most of all my family has had to deal with. I have spent endless hours on this, reading material and investigating the findings and determination. Since, I had to present a case in the courts. I was unable to fit my final "two cents" in space provided. So I have added it here. All I wanted was a concrete floor in my new building. The decisions made by Mr. Johnson on taking short cuts may be small on his end. But have huge rippling effects on my end. It has consumed an enormous amount of time in research. It has affected the relationships with my wife...kids...my business..and as a Lieutenant on the fire department. I have enclosed some pictures of the workmanship they performed. Buyer beware. That's all I have to say. Thank you.