Greystone Masonry Inc

The entire Greystone Masonry organization, particularly Elvis, did a fantastic job of walking my wife and I through the difficult decision process with respect to adding a patio to our back yard. They patiently answered the mind-boggling number of questions we unleashed on them, as this was a first time experience for us, and there was not a single occasion that we felt pressured or manipulated to make a decision that we were not 100 percent comfortable with. Because of the temperate and sage guidance we received, we are eagerly looking forward to our beautiful new custom concrete stamped patio and the many fun-filled memories that are sure to follow this upcoming spring/summer. We will be sure to provide another review once the project is complete, but we are expecting big things!

Overall, they did a great job, my only complaint is there was no communication or final inspection done to go over the finished service. I was told that someone was going to come out and pressure wash the patio and do a final walk through to ensure we were happy with the service. I waited for this to happen and no one came out or called to see if we had any concerns. Couple months later of not hearing from GreyStone I received a final bill.

I had seen several stamped patios at different houses and liked their work, they even did my parents home. I called to get a bid on the patio and the company was very friendly and prompt. Their rep came out and expertly helped me redesign an old patio. I really liked the input. They were to install a patio around a pool, a deck drain, and move some existing electric. I was told it would be complete the first week in August. The job was finished in NOVEMBER.
They finally started the job in mid August and this is where the problems started. I was told they would use wheel barrows to bring the concrete in through the gate. They decided they would remove a section of fence and then reinstall when complete which was ok. However, they left the job, set the fence in place but did not screw it back in and they left three boards laying on the ground. I had to complete that myself.
As for the patio, they poured it four inches higher than what was designed and two steps were added to go up into the yard, however when reaching the top step, you had to step a full step down to the yard. Now I will have to regrade around the step to make it right.
They were supposed to move an electric line for the pool but when I went out to check on the patio they had bare electric lines covered with loose dirt and they were getting ready to poor concrete over the wires. NOT TO CODE. I called the office and they said that it would get done correctly. It was not, they left the outlet laying on the ground useless still connected to the electric panel. Long story short, they showed up in November without an appointment to run another electric line to the pool. Lost use of the pool at the end of swimming season because of this.
The patio included a stamped compass. When I called about the electric I asked if they knew where the compass was to be installed, they said yes. I went out to check on progress again and they were about to install the compass in the wrong place. That was the best of it. I showed them where to put the compass and they stamped it into the patio. I came back out again about 15 minutes later and looked the compass and the stamp was bad. North and south were pointing the correct positions but east was pointing west and west was pointing east. They were getting ready to leave and I told them that would have to be fixed. So they had extra east and west stamps in the truck and they repaired that. See the problem is that when you use a stamp, it has to be a negative and it was not. This means that the north and south letters were reversed. They said the concrete was setting up and the could not repair the north and south. Another long story short, they showed up with out an appointment a month or two later to chisel out concrete and correct the north and south letters.
The sad thing about this is they had used the stamp for several other patios. I even went back and looked in their catalog and it was incorrect there. How could anyone keep using a bad stamp, do they hope customers wont notice?
As for the wall they were supposed to build, they built 1/2 of it the day they poured the concrete and showed up a month later to complete the wall, again without calling.
Needless to say with all of these problems I was calling and emailing the office all the time with very poor responses from Greystone.
Overall the patio does look good now but it was the biggest hassle I have ever had to deal with using a contractor. I would never use this company again.

The initial estimate was around $17,500 and Greystone was under in their estimate of the amount of square footage we had, which increased the final cost. We appealed to them to compromise on this additional cost factor which they did. We also added some features to the driveway which increased the cost. For example, instead of 4and quot; thick we made it 5and quot; thick.
We chose a larger slate looking pattern for the courtyard driveway and we are super pleased with how it looks and have received many compliments. We are very glad we chose this option for the front of our house and were pleased with how professional Greystone was. They have a large crew and the owner even came out at one point just to make sure everything was going well. The salesperson we worked with -- Elvis -- was also very professional and courteous, prompt and responsive.
Despite the increased cost -- which was due to a larger space so the charge was fair -- we would happily use them again.

GREYSTONE did an excellent job for both projects. The salesperson put together a design for the mini patio that worked out perfectly. The work crews completed the work timely according to the design and cleaned up the area. The sitting walls came out really nice. They provided suggestions for the type of brick based on the existing patio and it is a very good match. Although the wrong caps were initially ordered, the salesperson apologized and was quick to re-order the correct caps and have them installed expeditiously. The receptionist and workers are courteous and professional. They maybe a little pricey but they do offer a flexible payment plan for returning customers. They stand by their work and I recommend them for projects of this sort. I will include a few pictures to give you an idea of what to expect in terms of quality and a finished product once the lights are installed.

Everything went very well, I am very happy with the product choices and finished product. The workers were very efficient, worked hard and completed the job in one day. The company followed up with check in and update calls. Everyone was polite and professional. My neighbors were so impressed with the project that they asked for a company card from one of the workers. Stamped concrete is beautiful and a great option to consider instead of pavers.

Greystone workers were very professional on both projects:
1. installing the mini stamped concrete patio next to the garage. It was completed quickly in consecutive days and looks like a professional job.
2. installing walls with columns on existing patio. The workers were very courteous and Greystone was quick to fix the problem when the wrong wall caps were ordered.
Overall, I have found this company to stand by their product and provide excellent professional service. I would definitely use them again in the future on other projects.
(I can provide pictures if you would like)

He was very professional and he did an excellent job.

Very nice looking result. They were very responsive to a couple of issues that arose. They made sure the final result was satisfactory to us. The job involved pouring the concrete, coloring it, stamping a pattern, building two small walls and sealing the finished result. It came out very well.

Greystone was fantastic. From our first contact with Elvis, the representative to those who poured the concrete, we had fantastic service. Our options were explained clearly and a timeline was set up. I especially appreciated this as I was 7 months pregnant!

As a satisfied customer of the Greystone Masonry of Stafford, VA, we felt a responsibility to tell others of the wonderful job they did when they installed our new concrete driveway. The company has a very neighborly approach that begins by sending a representative/estimator to your home to assess the work and provide an estimated cost for the work. Further, you will find the
estimator knowledgeable of the process and will explain in detail the different phases of the work and materials that will be used. All these information was valuable for us that it made us sign a contract with them. We now have a driveway that is level and solid that we can enjoy for years to come. The team who installed the driveway worked closely with us too, to make sure it was up to our agreed specification. A foreman was also onsite to oversee the work. You too can have this experience if you use Greystone Masonry of Stafford, VA. Their contact number is: (540) 752-5658.

Greystone did a great job with my patio. They were very professional and kept on the timeline in the quote. I was amazed with how many workers came to the project to complete it. The owner of the company also came to ensure my satisfaction. At my request they completed a last minute change and provided great suggestions.

Everything went without a hitch. From the first phone call to our first BBQ on the lovely new patio! Greystone walked us through the HOA approval, offered terrific suggestions, and we ended up with everything we wanted. The workers were outstanding. They took pride in their work and worked hard.There was a minor problem with the sitting wall and Greystone sent someone out to fix it to our satisfaction. This is a very good company! Use them and you will be satisfied.

After seeing the ad in a local circular we submitted an online inquiry. We received a call and scheduled a visit with Elvis White, an Estimator. He patiently explained the process, materials, and options and showed us numerous sample pictures. He measured the existing step and sidewalk and provided best practices and the best way to replace what we currently had and how to add a landing to increase our property value and differentiate our home even more than we could have expected. After agreeing on the price we scheduled a time to visit the showroom to pick out the pattern and color. Everything happened in the time and way Elvis explained. As busy working adults we appreciate the prompt reply, follow-up and follow-through.
We did not encounter any additional expenses which was awesome. We have been the talk of the neighborhood from the time the work started until now.
During the initial visit with Elvis he advised how to replace the sidewalk in a way that will easily blend with the driveway we're going to have Greystone put down next. We also got some ideas for a backyard patio and fire pit! We'll be a repeat customer for a while!
Happy customers, Clarence and Andrea Wright (www.ccaaevents.com)

The person that came out to give the quote was nice and we very knowledge, however after sending several email regarding questions we had, we never got a response, that should have been our first clue. I called the office and spoke with carly, she was knowledgeable, answered questions, so we went to the company to pick out thestamp and colors. After we signed and made the deposit, everything that said was going to happen didn't happen. We were told that we had to be home between 10-1, so we could approve the final design prior to pouring the concrete, luckly I was watching the workers, and wanted one simple change, which I was told was no problem as long as it was before they poured the concrete. Well It was a huge problem, the workers didn't speak english, they were rude to me and to the county inspector that just happened to come by, I called carly to tell her what was going on, she said she would call back, She NEVER DID, They poured the concrete, but never notified me that the concrete was being poured, my question is why were we told to to be there. I had people coming and going in my back yard without them even knocking on the door to let me know what they were doing and that they were there. We were given a schedule, when the schedule wasn't followed, a week later random people were still showing up. Stairs are not their speciality. It looks like a kindergardener did them, They are off center of the door, again when I complained to Carly i was told to take pictures and email it, and she would call me back, again she never did. Why did I have to take pictures myself, why didn't a representative come out to see for themselves. One random day a guy stopped and I gave him an ear full. Supposedly they were done, but they didn't put the gutters back, left a hugh hole where the drainage was and the stair were terrible. concrete behind the patio (where there was suppose to be grass), it was a mess. The guy went above and beyond, to fix everything, however the stairs are concrete and hard to fix. Two days later Melissa called to say they would like to add a side stair to improve the look. I agreed, however the side stair looks awful too, you can tell it was an after thought, its a darker brown, with a crack where they added it. The rock wall has cracks all through it. Nobody has followed up after the addition of the stairs, however they sent us our final bill. Beware stay away, they want to take your money, but don't want to give you show room quality. Don't expect a manager or owner go out of their way to stop by to check up on the work being done, or to see if we are satisfied. Not a good way to do business

We supervised fairly closely, and were so impressed with the workmanship. They were on time, worked hard, and were very neat with the job, the patio matches the back of the house beautifully. They did a perfect job installing the patio up to the walls of the house, and laying pipe for al the electrical. Can't say enough for their professionalism or the fantastic results.

Looking forward to completing this section once the work is done!

The service was great. The job was done to our specifications. There was a great turn around time as well.

I liked them because of their quality of work, professionalism and promptness over their work. They really tidied up themselves really well after the work was done. What I mean is when they left it just looked superb. Most of their work was pressed concrete.

Well

Overall, I'd say everything went very well. The work was accomplished over two days. The crew doing the work started in the morning and worked until late afternoon. We couldn't use the driveway for parking the car for 28 days until the concrete cured. We changed our minds on the color and pattern for the concrete a couple of times before they started. They supplied computer graphic images of our house with the concrete work done in the color and pattern we were interested in. The only thing we had a misunderstanding about was the fact most of the driveway and sidewalks were not finished at ground level. They were elevated from a couple of inches to 16 inches above ground level. The problem with our yard is that it slopes downhill from the front sidewalk and the concrete must be poured level, more or less. We have since had a landscape company come in and add soil around the concrete to make it level with the rest of the yard. All in all, Greystone did a very good job on the concrete work. Just make sure you understand what they are proposing to do and how it will turn out. Ask questions!

I liked the design that was proposed and the way that the patio turned out (exactly how it was proposed). All the work that they did, the look of it is great! There are still a few tweaks to be made. I had to keep reminding them to pick up the trash from the site at the end of the day. I'm also looking to have them come out and do work around the pool.

Work started as scheduled, however any communication/discussion by the crew on how the work would proceed was nonexistent. They began the removal of some of the porch, but did not remove the stoop. When I asked the crew chief about this he said he was not going to remove the door stoop-- albeit clearly marked to do so on the work order. When I took exception to that he said he would have to call the office where the matter was resolved. When laying out the sidewalk it was set up about three feet to the right of where it was suppose to go and again, it as clearly marked on the work order. When I brought this to his attention and after some further discussion, he reset the forms. While pouring and finishing the concrete porch, they forgot to pour the concrete for the door stoop between the storm and house door. I brought this to the attention of the crew chief and that was corrected. They repeated the same error 30 minutes later when they did the laundry room door and I had to again bring it to the attention of the crew chief. There were a number of other oversights/omissions, but I assume I have justified my rating for most who read this. Althought the end product was satisfactory, I am not sure what I would have ended up with had I not been on-site when the work was performed. I have lived at this house for over 30 years and this was by far the worst home improvement experience ever.

Pre-sales was excellent. We had a vision of what we wanted and Rigo did an amazing job using that as the foundation for drawing the design. They were able to work with our budget.

Timeliness:
We worked on design April through June and signed the contract on 6/15. They were supposed to start on July 5th but after pushing out the dates and no shows, they finally started 7/17 (not due to weather).

We were quoted 3 weeks for the project. We told them that seemed too quick but were convinced they could do it. It took 6 months (the last 4 weeks were our fault, we were waiting on railing so final inspection could be done). I consistently needed to check in to find out where the crew was. Some weeks, one person would come out one time and only for a half day (not weather related). Other weeks, the crew would show up once or twice. Any time I would say something, they’re reply was just that it was a “custom job”. Regardless, we were quoted 3 weeks and they didn’t finish until winter so we still haven't been able to enjoy our patio.

Advice: Require that Greystone add language into the contract that says they commit to being onsite, weather permitting, XXXX hours per week. Trust me, you need to do this.

Quality of Work:
- We did not do concrete, so I can’t comment on that, but we did do a lot of rock. We inspected their work after each day they were out. We often found large gaps or poor cuts but they were always willing to re-do the work when we asked.
- They built an 11’ wall out of cinder block but it was not done according to the drawing. It would not have looked right if they didn’t correct it so we asked, and again, they were very nice about redoing the work. It was hard to ask them to do something over after they worked so long but we wanted it to be done right.
- Overall, there was a lot that we asked them to correct. They were polite and did not give us a hard time. We love our patio, it turned out so beautiful.

Cleanliness:
- They were messy. We provided drinks, fruit and snacks for them each day and the trash ended up everywhere. We even gave them a trash can but it didn’t help. They left banana peels, shrimp shells, empty bottles and wrappers in my flower bed. We picked up their trash almost daily and swept often. There were so many rocks throughout our entire back yard I had to suck them up with a shop vac. I understand this type of a project will invite a mess and gravel in the yard, etc., but they didn’t make enough of an effort to clean up any of it. I read on Angie’s list that they weren’t very clean but I had no idea it would be as bad as it was.

Materials:
- We did a travertine patio (not stamped concrete) and they did a really great job! We were very impressed with how it turned out.
- We used Eldorado stone for the walls.

We did an outdoor kitchen with a sink. We were told they’ve done them many times, and always used a dry well for drainage. We were hesitant, but they convinced us it would work and they “do it all the time”. When they tried to get the permit for the dry well, it was denied so they asked us to hire a plumber and we would work out the cost difference. After we engaged a couple plumbers for quotes, they called to say they found someone they would use and they would take care of it. When we received our final invoice, they added about $5000 for the plumber. We disputed, we never agreed to that and our contract specifically stated that any difference in cost would need to be agreed to in an addendum. We thought it was unprofessional of them to try and sneak in an extra $5000 when in the end, they were doing the work they originally agreed to do.

While we love the work that Greystone did, it was painful to get there. If we had to do it over, we would have paid a little more for a company who is more organized, dependable and easier to work with.

(Please note, I am an admittedly tough-grader. My spouse and I work hard for our money and we expect to get a top-notch product when that is what's advertised to us.)

Bottom line, the patio looks and quot;okayand quot;. The overall size, shape, design, and colors are to the specs originally agreed upon. The biggest issue I have with this company is their lack of attention to detail and inability to communicate properly to their staff/customers.

Time: (Issue #1) When we handed over our down payment we did so under the WRITTEN understanding that our job would begin during the second week of June. By the time we went to the Greystone office (approx 1 hour later) to pick our colors and design, we were told that our project wouldn't begin until the 3rd week of June. (Issue #2) June began on a Wed, and although I was considering the first week of June to start on the 1st, Greystone was not counting that week. Instead, they were considering the 6th (6 days into June) to be the start of week one. We were very irritated by this because, as we had explained to the estimator, we were leaving on vacation at the end of June and our start date was getting dangerously close to our vacation date. End result: We signed a proposal and submitted a down payment with the logical expectation that work would begin on 6/6/11, however work didn't actually begin until 6/25/11--19 DAYS LATER than agreed upon! A week before the work was supposed to finally begin I was told that we would start on time (what they considered to be on-time). During that week our area experienced two rain days that consisted of all day overcasts and light sprinkles, yet somehow that pushed our job back 5 days.

Workmanship: As evidenced by the supplied pictures, we are left with many workmanship flaws. From a distance the patio looks nice, but when standing on or near the patio--as one generally does--the flaws are very obvious.

Picture 1: Shows the concrete cracking. Patio is only 1 month old.

Picture 2: Shows the double lines at the top compared to the single line at the bottom, which was caused by the workers double-stamping the design. This occurs in numerous places throughout our entire patio, but occurs zero times in the fairly large display patio at the Greystone showroom.

Picture 3 and 4: Incomplete lines formed by the workers not adequately applying pressure to the stamp. Occurs at the end of the patio, which was stamped last, telling me that the work was rushed.

Picture 5: A step was required because the concrete was not poured high enough, causing a large drop from the bottom step of our deck to the new patio which is a code violation. A single concrete step was supposed to be added to fix the violation, but instead a huge platform was created which we find to be extremely tacky.

Final Thought: When I expressed my dissatisfaction I was written off. No apology was given for the immense delay in starting my project and I was told that they could not control the weather--which only accounted for approximately 2 days of my delay. I have not complained to Greystone about the many flaws in workmanship, because I have no desire to deal with this company any further. They have not acquiesced to a single issue I’ve brought to their attention prior to paying them and have reason to believe they’ll be any different after.