McDonald Paving Daniel "Danny" Donahue Paving Scam and Destruction of my existing property. No return calls. Coeur D' Alene, Idaho

Here is my recent experience and opinions about McDonald Paving and Daniel "Danny" Donahue of Spokane and Coeur D' Alene. Mr. Donahue can be described as a fast talking man with a slight East Coast accent.

In August 2010 a white work truck and its driver pulled up to our home and blasted the horn. I went outside and met Danny Donahue who stated that he was "in a bind." He expressed that "only a short distance away," he had two trucks full of hot asphalt that "needed to be put down." He indicated that he had 2500 square feet and that it would be $7500  to bring in his crew and equipment to lay it over part of my existing paving. This, he explained was an exceptional deal but I needed to act quickly. He was animated and high pressure. I asked about the area it would cover and Mr. Donahue pointed out the landmarks that would be covered. Mr. Donahue said that his prior customer was not ready for him with a prepared area and that he was stuck with the material. My area was already paved but had been patched and I thought it needed rejuvenating anyway.

I then asked about squaring up some pavement lines and adding, what seemed like a small amount more of material. This included a small area of grass that would be removed, prepared, and covered with asphalt. Then asked about permits, Mr. Donahue said that none were needed for a residence. I mistakenly gave him the okay to move ahead thinking I was doing both of us a favor, and expecting to pay a small amount more than the $7500.

Mr. Donahue never measured the area that was paved.

Within minutes ten men and trucks converged on my house and immediately began work. Brand new heavy equipment and trucks with Colorado license plates began whirling around and the work began at warp speed. Three asphalt trucks arrived instead of two. When we asked Donahue about the third truck, he said, "Oh, I forgot I had a third truck of hot asphalt."

A vibrating roller repeatedly ran across my new cement apron and I expressed concern that it would crack or mar the cement. Mr. Donahue assured me that no damage would occur.

About 90 minutes into the job, after my front yard was torn up, and a paving machine was laying down asphalt, Mr. Donahue mentioned that the job was going to be $15,000. I became concerned and indignant, and he said, "Well, we can stop right here if you want." The front of my place, however, was torn up and only partially paved. He then started spewing square foot numbers (not dollars). Under duress, I reluctantly agreed to $14,000 and Donahue said he would not charge Washington State sales tax. During our discussion all the machinery stopped. My place was seriously torn up and looked terrible. I felt I was stuck. Mr. Donahue insisted I write the check payable to him personally.

During the job, Mr. Donahue repeatedly left the job and would return. I suspect that he was soliciting others using the same techniques.

Four hours later, the crew was done. There was new pavement in place. My newer cement apron had metal to cement scuff marks over much of it, and diesel and tar stains. I pointed this out to Mr. Donahue and he expressed that the scars and stains would wash off. When presented with a contract/receipt, I added verbiage regarding the cement and the condition that McDonald Paving had left it in. I indicated that if the cement washing does not fix the problem, McDonald Paving would be responsible; Donahue reluctantly agreed by initialing the receipt and I gave him the check. I will add that the paved area and my road that they did not work on, were scarred, stained and scuffed by their heavy equipment. I had them fill two major holes that they made but overall they left the rest of my pavement in worse condition than before they arrived. The cement apron did not wash off as Mr. Donahue promised.

The next morning we noted an area with cracks, and two areas contaminated with dirt. There were seam marks and an area that didn't get completely rolled out. I called twice and left messaged but no response has come at the time of this writing.

My opinion is that this was a well-planned scam designed to deceive, bait and switch, mislead, and entangle before announcing an inflated price. The morning after, we noted McDonald Paving trucks canvassing an area close by. All of it was a high price to pay for bad work and I would never refer McDonald Paving or Danny Donahue to anyone. I feel the need to share this with others who potentially may find themselves in the same predicament. 

McDonald Paving has the following Washington License number printed on their paperwork: WA License MCDONP*901J2