The Final Impression

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In 2005 we had our first experience in building a new home, and it was NOT at all what we expected. It was like way too many cooks stirring the same pot. It was a big expensive pot at the end. The feeling of being ripped off, was more than than we could stand. When it came to the design of the front steps, we had orginally wanted paver stones. WOW, when the estimate came back it was well over 6,000. which was not in our budget. We were referred by a family member to check out, "The Final Impression". We had seen their work before, and thought it might be the way to go. We explained to Cedric, what we wanted, and his estimate came in at less than half, what the pavers would have cost. Happily we agreed. Upon completion, we were more than happy with the work. In fact, it was better than we imagined. The platform, and sidewalk look like liquid, spilling out of the front door. Extremely happy with their work, price, professionalism, we have hired Cedric and his crew for several other jobs around our newly constructed home. They poured the foundation for our garage, as well as our back yard patio, in witch we played a key roll it's design. The key words to learn when dealing with concrete, "Be Sure Before They Pour". We have be in our house alittle over 5 years now, and the complements just keep on comming. Some people actually think, their walking on real stone. Cedric and his crew, were by far the best contractors that we had delt with, and there were many. We would HIGHLY recomend them for any concrete work to be done, and when there is enough money saved in our piggy bank, we will have them back again...Job well done Cedric, of "The Final Impression".

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User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

There is only one good impression about Cedric Jones that comes to mind. He is punctual. The other impressions are not so favorable. He is illusive and stubborn. Likes to do things his way. A case in point is the construction of a walkway. At the customers request to make the walkway width greater than 4’ Cedric decided that it would look better with his artistic input and narrow down to less than 4’. Both my wife and I adjusted the form before the day of the pour to our liking, but the day of the pouring he put the forms back. I wonder if he could comprehend the notion as to who is paying the bill. We let it go as such. But each day I look at the walkway and it annoys me that my request was not met. I could write a book about this short little walkway and the many ways Cedric Jones refused to follow proper construction techniques.

We had two major wet spots that were like walking on a water bed. I begged him repeatedly to dig up the wet soil and replace it with clean fill. The reply was always “ This is fine, we do this all the time.” I dug one hole up to found wet clay soil about two feet down. I replaced it with gravel. I again asked him to replace the other spot and he refused. On let’s not forget about the 1” of gravel base he used. It remain to be seen when the big freeze will crack my walkway. At the end of the walkway there were two steps to the driveway. Would you believe that he dug soil from my yard as a base for the steps. I called him on it requesting that he put the proper base down. He promised that he would. When he was finished I checked and he poured over the soil just like it was before. Can’t wait for the big freeze.

Cedric sold me a new creation of his to install lights into the steps. I was devastated by the final appearance. Of course Cedric told me other customers loved it. So before I’m judged as a picky customer, let me say that the lights of his choice was not intended to be used for a concrete bull nose finish. I downloaded the manufacturers installation to find it was intended for under a BLOCK CAP that would have extended over the light, to give you the expected appearance. He said he would fix it. No action was ever taken. My wife and I finally settle on leaving them and maybe painting the aluminum top side so it’s not so obtrusive. The low voltage wiring was partially left out of the poured area. I guess he wanted the ground-hogs to chew on something. I think he was in too much of hurry to properly secure the wires.

On the opposite side of the house he was also contracted to install a walkway to the back patio that he poured. This is another story in it self. Costing me thousand to fix his sloppy workmanship. I had asked that walkway extend to the bottom step of my kitchen nook door steps. He caught me off guard asking if he could raise the elevation to the top of the steps. I agreed without thought. The amount of problems this decision caused is considerable. If he had any experience he would have recognized that a step-down was required due to the elevation. Instead he left a pool of about 4” deep around the chimney, pointing out the pour would interfere with the chimney cleanout. The elevated pour also created another problem with my Bilco door. I lost the 4” elevation requirement to shed the rain as required by Bilco. A new footing had to be pored to raise the Bilco door and I was forced purchase a lower profile door. More money to be spent and the work had to be done by the owner. By the way this was the second contract. I regret that I was not accretive enough to have him break up the concrete beyond the chimney and step-down and repour. This would have been the intelligent solution.


All this implies is that you can’t trust Cedric to be creative on your property. Have it designed by an architect and maybe he can follow it. Otherwise don’t go near Cedric.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Just came home to my new driveway - I love it! Great company to deal with. Great price. Highly recommended.

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