Angie's List member Lisa Friedmann hired VRN Masonry Inc. of Gaithersburg, Md., to replace her sidewalk that had sunk five inches into the earth. Right from the start, she says she knew she picked the right company for the job.

"I interviewed four companies before choosing VRN Masonry," Friedmann says. "The others wanted to merely put a layer of concrete on top of the existing sidewalk and lay pavers on top, which may be cheaper but is definitely not the right way to do the job."

Friedmann says company owner, Rui Palmeiro, assured her that the side walk had to be jackhammered and he would need to start from scratch to get the job done right. Once he got started, Friedmann says the Washington D.C. area masonry contractor was a pleasure to have in her home.

"He was prompt in returning phone calls and emails and the crew was professional and talented. We were concerned that we would not be able to use our front door for a day or two, but they timed everything so it was never a problem. We're very pleased with the quality of work they did and the sidewalk looks wonderful."

Friedmann says she was charged $2,650 for the completed job.

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