Dodgy Landscaper- Advice needed

elee85 on 08/09/2014 - 13:12

Help!!

So the story is:

We recently bought a house and wanted some landscaping done specifically new turf and garden bed put in.

We hired an apprentice landscaper, based on him being keen, able to work weekend, knowledge of turf (he works as a groundskeeper at a golf course part-time) and being able to meet our budget.

We signed a contract with him to have the work FINISHED by the 10th Sept and gave him a $500 deposit to buy turf and soil. When signing the contract he said he will be available every weekend and after tafe on weekdays to do the job. He said it would take him 2 weeks to complete but put a month down to make sure he has enough time to do everything.

It has nearly been 1 month since we have signed the contract (10th Aug) and HARDLY any work has been done.
He has made excuses every weekend on why he can't make it and he has said he has been sick or member of he's family has been sick.

However he had bought turf which has been sitting in our driveway in a pallet for nearly 3 weeks without prepping the land for turf. He outsource some work to someone else to prep the land which was not discussed by us.. but we let it go as he was doing some kind of work but they have left alot of dirt and garden waste in the backyard which he has yet to org to get rid off.

Anyway on friday he finally started to do some work and rolled out some of the turf however because it had been sitting in a pallet for 3 weeks in our driveway it has gone brown and looks dead.

So im quite upset as he is rolling dead grass out as he has poorly managed the job.
He keeps saying that he can bring the grass/roll on turf back to life with some fertilizer and water…
but im not convince.

Anyway in 3 days the contract expires..so should we cut our losses and hire someone else or should I continue with him?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • QW3RTY on 08/09/2014 - 13:51
    +1

    Hi Elee,

    The most important thing is that you signed a contract for the work to be completed by 10th September 2014. This way there are very clear and defined expectations of either party. No "he said, she said" business to worry about! That's your first positive. Often during tender processes, these completion dates are very important.
    My suggestion would be:

    1. Email him so you have a written record of correspondence. Enquire to whether the works would be finalised by the agreed time. This way you're able to better ascertain where you stand.
    2. Review the contract. Was it a very simple contract? Were there any terms or clauses with regards to finishing date? Let us know! :)
    3. Keep riding him on the phone, emails etc. If you're not putting the pressure on, this guy will probably end up stretching it out.

    If it gets to 10 September 2014 and the works are not completed, and he has not contacted you, send him a formal email advising him that the agreement has been breached and you require remdedy. At least that way you'll have all the documentation proving that you've been damaged by this whole process.

    Then I'd be requesting copies of invoices for all the turf and equipment he purchased on your behalf and request the different between the final value and $500 to be refunded to you immediately.

    Hopefully he doesn't just leg it and leave you high and dry.

  • elee85 on 08/09/2014 - 15:56

    Thanks QW3RTY!

    He's response today was he will get it all done by the 10th which is in 2 days..

    In my opinion I really don't think he can get it all done by then unless he hires someone else.. but I guess I have to wait.

    The contract is just a simple contract outlining what we wanted done and a complete date.
    At this stage only 1 part of 5 things has been done.
    Its def a waiting game.

    Thanks for your advice.
    I'll let you know the outcome.

  • kwaker on 08/09/2014 - 20:46

    You made a poor decision hiring an apprentice and not a qualified landscaper and basically you get what you paid for.

    If I was you I would give him a chance to fertilize it, if its buffalo it will most likely come back but its not the most appropriate time for grass growth and not professional. Do you actually need to have it completed by a certain time? If not maybe have a stern word that this job is not acceptable and that you will extend it another 2 weeks and no more excuses.

  • Geewhizz on 10/09/2014 - 06:01
    +1

    I wouldn't be settling for brown grass. Sure, it might (or might not) eventually come back with time and a bit of care, but not only is it not what you're paying for, nor what you agreed upon, but is going to be hugely stressed and more susceptible to disease, weed and pest infestation until it recovers.

  • elee85 on 10/09/2014 - 09:31
    +1

    Thanks for the advice everyone.
    This has def been a learning exercise about trusting people.

    So today is the deadline and no further work had been done over the last few days.

    Its so upsetting to see horrible brown grass laid and alot of it still sitting in the pallet. I calculated and it has been 25 days since he has ordered the turf to when he decided to lay it.

    I spoke to him yesterday and advised that I wasn't happy and he said that he can order new grass and get the job done by the weekend. He gave me a sob story how he has been sick and hasn't seen he's family, but I don't think we can work together cos I don't believe anything he says.

    Anyway.. if anyone know of a good landscaper to help me. Please let me know.

    Cheers

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