off topic warning.
What1Ship and Unbeliveable,
I could have used your advice about 3 years ago. I'm the kind of guy that learned from my Dad and Grandpa how to maintain a home. Basic plumbing, drywall, electrical, deck building, put up a fence, reno a bathroom, tile work, that kind of thing. I research the hell out of something and learn to do it right. Never really got into stone, concrete, etc... Ended up getting into a deal with a guy (referred by a friend of a friend) to have the driveway and front walkway done. He takes 50% up front, driveway gets done so I give him another 25%. Now I won't pay any more til the job gets done.
Sadly, the guy has concrete poured for the walkway (to go under the flagstone) which is touching the foundation (no spacers used). In the end we find out the guy is a con artist drug addict not paying some of his subs. We find a decent guy to finish the job but now every winter as the slab rubs up against the foundation, the parging and brick crack and some crumbling. Irks me every day I have to look at it.
My only option will be to drop another $10-$15k+ to have the walkway and now also porch (because of the crap job this guy did, the porch is sinking) dug up and either rebuilt with stone or all poured concrete properly.
We just spend time in the backyard now instead of the front yard.
Keep well,
Mike