Priced Right Tree & Lawn

This project was to be done as directed by company. Project included removal of volunteer trees along fence line and building of a new fence. Property was measured and homeowner was shown where new fence would go. Homeowner agreed to assist for 2 days to reduce overall cost of project (biggest mistake I've ever made in business). The start of the tree removal portion was to begin on a Monday. Homeowner contacts me the Saturday before that they are starting on cutting trees. Not having things planned for that day I went over to cut down the needed trees, as I would have had no idea what to expect otherwise (and it's a good thing I did as I wound up to a huge mess to deal with). When the post began to be set, I had a stump grinder to grind out needed roots. Customer begins directing where he wanted the posts as well as how deep. The neighbor comes over, who claimed to be a disabled contractor, putting his two cents worth into things (keep in mind the project specifically stated as directed by company). In one area of the project there was a post filled with concrete that was bent. No one could move it and the new fence was to go in front of this post. The customer decides he doesn't like that, sticks a 2x4 against the post and rams it with his pick up. This required an extensive amount of additional work, as he now wants the new fence closer to the old fence. There were thicker roots and concrete in the areas customer now wants fence. Due to the neighbors involment I rented an auger for the second day to keep peace. The customer had to sit down about ever 5 minutes most of the day, and was not of the assistance as expected. The second day of the fence portion, that auger was rented, he wants to quit before all the posts are set. I told him I had the machine rented and needed to at lease get holes drilled. I was cussed out at that time (although it was claimed in a report left on our church page that I cussed out customers). I drilled the rest of the holes to have them drilled (I was not concerned about how even they were at that time, as final setting of post would be done by hand) Depth of initial setting of posts were as could be accessed without hitting concrete. Customer knew the depth post were being set, and even commented that if not as deep on one other post would support them when the 2x4's were installed. Due to the above the post were not all set by Wednesday. In having other commitments for Thu & Fri the remainder of the posts were set Saturday. The customer assisted with these and all post for entire project were set where he wanted them and at the depth he wanted. In then putting up the 2z4's it became a challenge to be able to put those up as directed by the company. There was a lot of wasted time with customer trying to do things differently (and it was proven to him was not accurate the way he was trying to do things). By the time I left Saturday it was decided where all the 2x4's would go and where the top of the pickets would go for the entire fence project (all where customer wanted). The pickets were still in my trailer ready to be unloaded, and the project was to be finished the following Monday. On Sunday I get text messages informing me they do not want me to finish the project. The original neighbor, as well as claimed other neighbor(s) had stated to the customer the fence was not correct as they would (Keep in mind once again it was to have been done as directed by company not a customer or any neighbor). The customer refused to talk to me, stating the neighbor (contractor guy) was their advocate. I went to get my tools Sunday and was met by the neighbor. I told him he was not the one that the agreement was with. Through continued text with customer (actually the wife) I was informed they would pay for the tree removal portion of the project and for materials delivered to their address. It was stated the rest would come later. I was informed I could get those payments on Tuesday. I did so and the customers response to my question of their intention of paying me the rest of what was owed lead me to believe they had no intention of doing so. There once again was refusal to discuss, stating to talk to the neighbor. When payment was made on the above they had typed up 2 statements, one that the tree portion of the project was satisfactory and paid on full, and one that the materials delivered were paid for in full. I was careful to make sure it did not state entire project was paid in full. In speaking again to the neighbor that was there, he indicated they'd pay something for my work on the fence portion at what they decided to pay and when they decided to. He asked a question to the effect that the payment received was full payment, and I told him not at all as I would never have signed anything that stated that. All I had been paid at that time was the tree portion of the project and material delivered. It was not all of what was owed. He then cussed at me and told me to get off the property. I did so and filed court action in small claims court the next day. In court a reduced amount from what was actually owed was agreed to as the mediator was getting pushy as the judge wanted to hurry up. The customer (wife) is still continuing to post these reviews wherever she can, and even went to our church page and left a very false comment. I stress all agreements plainly state as directed by company. I also stress that any needed equipment is purchased or rented as felt needed by the company to complete any job. Any needed adjustments or securements to any portion of a fence can be done before completion. I have built or repaired many fences, with pictures for proof, and have not had problems as encountered by this customer. Choose as you may, but please know the truth of the situation here in doing so.

This customer was referred to me by a church member. He was given an estimate and wanted the work done. I made a work agreement and explained this was not just an estimate, that it was an agreement to do the work. We put him on our schedule and turn down other customers for that time period. He acknowledged that and said he wanted the work done (also acknowledged in his review). If the was any perception of downplay , it would have only been as I would not have expected him to cancel in stating he wanted the work done. He states he did not check to see if licensed or insured , although I had told him I carry them with me, and all he had to do was call and ask me to text them to him. These items would not be found on line and I am of the opinion anyone would know this. He chose to focus on the negative in seeing a number of times over the years we have had to enforce an agreement when we have shown up with a crew and customer not there, tried doing them self, or other reasons, and wound up costing the company money for time and expenses, still having to pay a crew for the day, and lost income. None of this should have mattered if his true intentions were to have the work done, but as stated he chose to focus on the negative. When people see negative reviews many times there is not a place for a company reply so all they see is one side. They also may not realize that in first impression it may appear as a number of situations, yet fail to realize they are over many years and a very small % of the hundreds of customers we do work for annually. The review alludes to the fact of the short amount of time until cancelled. The agreement states amount due regardless of when cancelled. His estimate, thus work agreement, was the first of three estimates I had scheduled that day. The other two, which were larger projects, wanted the same time as this customer was already scheduled for. Please keep in mind that we are no different from a doctors office or hair stylist that charge for missed or cancelled appointments. We all rely on our income for the time frame from the customer for whose work is scheduled for that time frame. Choose as you will, but please know the truth of the situation from this reply. We would look forward to being of service to you.