Joined Jan 2007
L5: Journeyman
Forum Thread
Problem with landscaper
October 3, 2012 at
02:06 PM
Hi everyone,
I have been a long-time user of this forum and am very impressed with the cumulative knowledge presented here. I am presenting my situation here in hope that the fellow SDers may have a solution or advise for me. I am not sure if this is the right forum so please move it to the appropriate one if you see fit
I bought a house and wanted to do some small landscaping improvement. I asked around and somebody gave me a name and phone number of a guy who contracts landscaping in the area. I called the guy up and he came and gave me an estimate of $3,500 for the landscaping. It includes redoing the existing 3 planters and put shields between the planters and the house, plant 3 full-size King palms in 2 different areas with flower beds under the trees, plant 7 Queen palms and flower beds, run irrigation system with automatic controller throughout the yards, create a 5' wide walk-way of stamped concrete for bringing the trash in and out of the yard, and finally fill the yard with mulch. He also indicated that he would take care of all the little extra things to make sure that it look great to my satisfaction. He will provide everything including trees, flowers, mulch, concrete, hauling dirt in and out, all inclusive. He told me he will complete in 3 days. He said that he is just glad he has a job in this economy. He sounds nice and the deal appears to be good so I accepted it. He said that it is a small job and I really don't need to create a formal contract. He asked for $1,000 deposit and I gave it to him.
The next day, he already had the yard dug up multiple holes "in preparation for tree planting" and laid down irrigation pipes. At this point, he asked for $500 more to buy the trees. I gave it to him. He stated that the yard is so large that I needed to fill-in with fruit trees to make it nicer but it was not in the agreement so I had to pay for them. I went ahead and bought 14 small fruit trees and gave it to him and he planted the same day. At this point, he stated that he needed $700 more to buy the mulch and pay for the concrete and he would finish the job the next day. Impressed with everything so far, I gave him $700 as he asked.
Over the next few days, he no showed. I called him on several occasions and he states that he will get it done the next day but again, no showed. This continues over the next several weeks of no-show. I have contacted him many times over the phone and messages. He started not answering the phone and occasionally when I do get him, he always apologized and states that it will be done that same weekend. Well, it has been 6 weeks and by now I realize that he will never come.
To summarize: I paid a guy who I only know his first name and phone number so far $2,200 and he only laid down water pipes and planted some trees that I bought, then now stopped coming. I know, I should have known better and got a written contract but I really thought that it was a small job and the guy was so happy just to have a job in this economy. Anyhow, I am at this point so furious at the guy lying so blatantly knowing that he is not coming, leaving me dragged on forever while my yard is all dug up and ugly. I have decided to hire another contractor this coming weekend to finish the job. I, however, wanted to know from my fellow SDers if there are anything I could do to get the guy to pay back. Or at least track him down and warns others about this guy. Your help is well appreciated. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to present all the details.
I have been a long-time user of this forum and am very impressed with the cumulative knowledge presented here. I am presenting my situation here in hope that the fellow SDers may have a solution or advise for me. I am not sure if this is the right forum so please move it to the appropriate one if you see fit
I bought a house and wanted to do some small landscaping improvement. I asked around and somebody gave me a name and phone number of a guy who contracts landscaping in the area. I called the guy up and he came and gave me an estimate of $3,500 for the landscaping. It includes redoing the existing 3 planters and put shields between the planters and the house, plant 3 full-size King palms in 2 different areas with flower beds under the trees, plant 7 Queen palms and flower beds, run irrigation system with automatic controller throughout the yards, create a 5' wide walk-way of stamped concrete for bringing the trash in and out of the yard, and finally fill the yard with mulch. He also indicated that he would take care of all the little extra things to make sure that it look great to my satisfaction. He will provide everything including trees, flowers, mulch, concrete, hauling dirt in and out, all inclusive. He told me he will complete in 3 days. He said that he is just glad he has a job in this economy. He sounds nice and the deal appears to be good so I accepted it. He said that it is a small job and I really don't need to create a formal contract. He asked for $1,000 deposit and I gave it to him.
The next day, he already had the yard dug up multiple holes "in preparation for tree planting" and laid down irrigation pipes. At this point, he asked for $500 more to buy the trees. I gave it to him. He stated that the yard is so large that I needed to fill-in with fruit trees to make it nicer but it was not in the agreement so I had to pay for them. I went ahead and bought 14 small fruit trees and gave it to him and he planted the same day. At this point, he stated that he needed $700 more to buy the mulch and pay for the concrete and he would finish the job the next day. Impressed with everything so far, I gave him $700 as he asked.
Over the next few days, he no showed. I called him on several occasions and he states that he will get it done the next day but again, no showed. This continues over the next several weeks of no-show. I have contacted him many times over the phone and messages. He started not answering the phone and occasionally when I do get him, he always apologized and states that it will be done that same weekend. Well, it has been 6 weeks and by now I realize that he will never come.
To summarize: I paid a guy who I only know his first name and phone number so far $2,200 and he only laid down water pipes and planted some trees that I bought, then now stopped coming. I know, I should have known better and got a written contract but I really thought that it was a small job and the guy was so happy just to have a job in this economy. Anyhow, I am at this point so furious at the guy lying so blatantly knowing that he is not coming, leaving me dragged on forever while my yard is all dug up and ugly. I have decided to hire another contractor this coming weekend to finish the job. I, however, wanted to know from my fellow SDers if there are anything I could do to get the guy to pay back. Or at least track him down and warns others about this guy. Your help is well appreciated. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to present all the details.
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I can't say enough to appreciate you all taking your time and share your thoughts/advice.
THANK YOU ALL
I can't say enough to appreciate you all taking your time and share your thoughts/advice.
THANK YOU ALL
If you are not willing to deal with corrupt jackass, then why did you come here asking for help? People have given you all types of ideas and suggestions; but it appears you wimp out on all of them. Seems to me you are the type of person who is going to get ripped off again and again. You haven't learned your lesson yet; because you refuse to find this person and confront them, to get the work finished and/or your money back. I would be damned if someone would rip me off like that, and get away with it
He started answering the phone from me. He asked if I would like to also get spot lights as he is going to work on the yard this week. I initially said screw it and lets see you finish the yard first. But then I had plan. I called and asked him to do the lights. Of course he will ask for additional money like he did before. He would also have to come "pick it up". I will write him a check (pretend) and ask for the name of the business, his full name so I can put on the check. I will also ask him for his driver's license. Once I got that, he can't run. Of course we will take picture of his license plate when he arrives. I will see if the lady will be available at the same time. It would be awesome.
Thank you for your help.
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He started answering the phone from me. He asked if I would like to also get spot lights as he is going to work on the yard this week. I initially said screw it and lets see you finish the yard first. But then I had plan. I called and asked him to do the lights. Of course he will ask for additional money like he did before. He would also have to come "pick it up". I will write him a check (pretend) and ask for the name of the business, his full name so I can put on the check. I will also ask him for his driver's license. Once I got that, he can't run. Of course we will take picture of his license plate when he arrives. I will see if the lady will be available at the same time. It would be awesome.
Thank you for your help.
He DARES take out his frustration on me! I will let him see the end of it. I just can't start being physical first. Boy, if he just pushes me...... We will see.
Next.....one ought to be good when it happens
report him to the police and just let it go....hopefully when he goes to court you might get some recovery for you
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A BIG shovel