COMPLAINT: Wendy Petrosky, Brookfield, Ill.

"I hired Robert R. Andreas & Sons Inc. to pour an 8-by-9 concrete pad behind my garage, add a small 2-by-4 concrete section to my driveway apron and resurface my front steps.

"Initially, I was pleased with the work. But the resurfacing on the front steps never seemed to fully dry, and over the winter the entire surface began to crumble, flake and fall apart.

"I’ve called numerous times to have someone from the company come out and take a look, and nobody has ever gotten back to me."

DESIRED RESOLUTION: "I want to hear from the company and have them repair the front steps."

RESPONSE: Bryon G. Andreas, president, Robert R. Andreas & Sons Inc.

"We did complete the concrete work, including resurfacing in a timely and efficient manner. When the member wanted the steps resurfaced, we told her resurfacing is just a quick fix. However, she wanted them resurfaced because she couldn’t afford to have them replaced.

"In less than one year, the resurfacing was coming off the steps due to the winter weather. She called my office the first time in March to tell us the resurfacing was coming off and we told her when our part-time repairman starts repairs in spring, we’d look at her steps.

"The repairman went there in the spring and indicated the resurfacing was coming apart. The member called again and we told her that we’d take care of it. Shortly after that, we received a letter from Angie’s List.

"We don’t take complaints lightly. My company’s been in business for more than 60 years and one reason it’s still in business is our reputation. And follow-up is a key factor.

"Also, our contracts indicate that if cracks, flaking, shales, pop-outs, etc. occur, we are not responsible. Concrete is outside in all the elements and it expands and contracts. Even though our contracts indicate this, I make it a point if a customer has a complaint to follow up and resolve the issue.

"In this case, I indicated I’d go back and resurface the member’s steps at no charge. The repairman did go there and resurface her steps."

STATUS: Resolved

Chicago Penalty Box