Firemen Sealcoating

Unprofessional! I can't speak to the work itself, as that aspect seems fine, but this organization lacks professionalism and conduct. They were recently hired by our management company to reseal our subdivision. While my wife was home alone, she was scared by the fact that one of the workers banged on our door (yes, banged, not knocked) and continuously rang our doorbell. When she peered down to see who it was, she grabbed the phone to call 911, to report these actions caused by a burly man, in all black and no markings on his shirt, who was then peering in the window next to the door. Fortunately, she looked out the window to see the other workers matching this description. He needed her to move our truck. Fine! But this is not the way to go about requesting homeowners move their cars. The workers and at least one of the trucks bore no markings to indicate who they worked for. After the work was done, they did not come back around to remove the roped-off driveway sticks and ropes. It was on the homeowners to do this as well as dispose of the material. Within the past few days, they roped-off driveways with cars already parked in them, causing the cars to be blocked in. The management company has the license plates and vehicle descriptions of all the vehicles registered to unit owners, so a simple phone call to the management company would have been a more professional approach to this matter. Which is how this is handled with regards to snow removal. FS - the residents of this subdivision have pooled their ill sentiments toward your conduct and petitioned the management company to choose another company in the future. more

This company does not answer phones, you leave a message and they leave an estimate at your door. I had them come out for a driveway and to clear coat over NEW garage floor and concrete pad. They came on time and I let them do their work, afterwords, I went out to take a look...the concrete was not cleaned at all. The workers clear coated over bird poop, dry dirt, water marks, NAILS, and saw dust. When company called they ignored my messages, twice daily. I finally got a call back from the owner Howie, instead of coming out to take a look at the job he argued with me on the phone for 15 minutes, telling me that that's how you seal concrete. He also stated that they ""power sweep"" To the best of their ability. They blow off your concrete and what ever is left they just seal over. He stated he would have his Forman come out the next day to take a look. The workers called me the next day telling me they were to come out and try to brush some spots...anyone who knows clear coat knows that this does not work. So they told me they would have the owner contact me. No foreman showed up ,also, I have not received a call and the horrible job has not been fixed. Do not use this company. It's run by people who do not want to have any human contact, don't know how to seal concrete and don't care about doing a good job and making customers happy. more

A disaster for this neighborhood! They finished it quickly, and it looks alright; BUT, it rained later in the day, and the out-gassing is making people sick more than a week later. Been trying to find information about how water and asphalt sealer - related chemistry works. Definitely Not good here. - Recommend doing it yourself when it absolutely won't rain, with the least toxic possibility. There are enough toxic carcinogens involved in most asphalt sealers to make your head spin vertically... - They should not have risked it; the chance of rain was significant. Should have been done as though their own kids lived here... more

Horrible experience! Firemen (who are heroes in my estimation) should not be associated with these crooks. The workers came and applied ""sealant"" which i would liken to black paint to not only my driveway, but sidewalk and house as well. Obviously, the house and sidewalk were not my intended desire. Here is the really lousy part...the work was completed and it rained 15 minutes after the workers left. Sealant was not set and ran off. The company did not return my calls or letters to reapply. Crooks! more

I have used Firemen Sealcoating for 14 years and have NEVER had a problem! They are friendly and convenient - they do a great job at a reasonable rate. more

I was provided with a quote and a description of services. Upon completion of a job that was suspect I was told the price was higher than quoted. There was a language barrier and when I asked about the cracks still appearing in my driveway, the language barrier was truly a barrier. I wish I did the job myself, it would have been a more complete job and have looked much better! more

I called for a quote and it seemed low. So I called back and they gave me the same quote, of course, not in writing. But once the men arrived they couldn't believe the quote I was given and they recalculated the quote, 80% higher, take it or leave it (hard to leave it when you made arrangements to be at home on a work day). My advice is that when you get an estimate from them, make sure it is in writing (and if they call you with a quote save the recording, which I did). And shop around. I emailed them and they denied bait & switch, and glossed over the issue. They told me that they just leave the invoice on your door to pay later, but apparently if you're in person they demand payment. And the ""receipt"" is scratched on a memo pad. Pros: They are known in Downers Grove Cons: Bait & Switch??? more

I am so disappointed in the sealcoating of my driveway by Firemen's Sealcoating. They filled in cracks with filler and did not smooth it out left sand on the drive and put sealant on top of the sand. It looks like someone scirbbled on my drive. I called Howie twice and he never returned my call. I will not pay for this service it is totally unacceptable. I now need to call someone else out to fix the work that they did. I would never ever recommend this company to anyone! Pros: non Cons: horrible service more

I am a first time owner of a concrete driveway; Howie was quite helpful and patient in explaining the pros and cons of and the various available options for the garage floor/driveway sealing. The guys who came out to do the actual job turned out to be prompt, very courteous and quite professional. What intrigued me most was the customer care I received after the initial application of the sealant. Just after approximately two hours of the sealing, it started raining; the rain didn't last long. The seal was sort of dry before the rain started which I could notice from the driveway appearance with the rain water like on an oily surface. Howie was kind enough to drive by the next day, inspected the driveway and offered to send the crew a second time at no additional cost even though the integrity of the seal was not questionable. I have nothing but praise about the new crew who came out to perform the second application. Pros: Great customer service more

I've been using Firemen Sealcoating for years- they are the most reliable company. The phone girls are always so friendlly and knowledgable. The men who come out to do the driveway are always happy and efficient, not to mention pretty good-looking! ;) Pros: Good looking more

Our driveway is done 2x a year by Fireman's. Nothing but praise for their prompt, clean and competent service. The workers are friendly and take their time to do it right. For over 15 years we have trusted Fireman's Sealcoating to do this job, and they have never let us down. Why do it yourself when we have a great family business here in Downers Grove that does a great job? more

I have to agree with dggeek. Firemen's sealcoated my drive just yesterday. Very prompt, courteous service. I just installed new window wells that are surrounded by driveway. Not a dot of tar on them. Great job. I have used them for years and would not consider changing companies. more

Part of me wonders if you are thinking of the wrong company, Mildred. I've used Firemen's service for as long as they've been in business and have never once had a problem with ""splattering"" or sealant on my vehicles. In fact, they rang my doorbell one year when I had a car in the driveway. The employees are nothing but nice- especially Howie! I'm honestly shocked at what you had to say about him. I would recommend this company over any other seal coating co. in the area- period. I've watch them apply it by hand, so I know the labor's worth it. My advice is to see for yourself how great their services are. Pros: Always do a great job, hand-apply, great customer service more

I had this company seal my driveway. They got the sealant all over my house and two of my cars (that were Pros: My review will hopefully help someone avoid this company - Firemen's Sealcoating Cons: Unprofessional job with rude, obnoxious owner more