I cannot recommend BSM Landscaping for any work. Below is what happened to us in more detail. As a summary, their costs were overly high; the quality of work was mediocre; and the owner attempted to extort extra money for supposed “out of contract” work that they performed without prior authorization. I found their owner and his business practices to be deceptive and offensive.
Since they are a local company, we asked them to bid on 3 projects on the property; 1) removal of 3 large trees, 2) landscaped steps down a hillside, and 3) an extension of a lower patio (estimated as approx. 9’x12’). Their bid for the tree removal was 3X the lowest bid. The bid for the steps was 2X the lowest bid. Since we have additional future landscaping projects on the horizon, and because they are very local, we decided to give them an opportunity on the patio extension project even thought their bid was higher than what would be considered normal for the project. At the time of the estimate, we also asked about fixing a low spot on a nearby existing walkway (approx. 4’x4’). Since the estimate included the phrase “fix low spots” we assumed that was included in the contract.
We contracted with them in March and put down a 1/3 deposit on the project ($10,500 total cost).
Note that there was never a sketch of the proposed work or an estimate of time and materials for the work to be performed. In hindsight this was a major failing on our part. We should have insisted on a sketch of the work to be done and a complete list of materials. Instead, I chose to trust the local guys. (So, word of warning – if you do chose to hire BSM make sure you get a complete sketch of the work to be done AND a complete list of materials and their cost.)
Within a week, we were called and asked to come pick out the block for the job, as they needed to order it immediately so that work could begin in the next 3 weeks. When we went to their yard, with a sample of the existing patio block, we were told that they couldn’t match the block, and that we would have to pick something else. (Note: I see this the same block as our patio every weekend at Home Depot but they didn’t carry it.) They suggested a decidedly different color with a contrasting border to make the extension appear “intentional.” Actually, a good suggestion and it looks nice.
Despite being contracted in March for April/May work their crew did not show up until mid-June. They immediately went to work on walkway low spot while we discussed the shape of the patio (9’x12’ rectangle was physically impossible) and connecting the extension to stairs from an upper deck. There were also decisions to be made on routing roof drainage outfall, and location of the retaining wall for the patio.
At the end of the first day of work we were told that there would be an $1,100.00 extra for the additional work performed. Surprised, I asked why and what was extra. Their response was that the landing for the stairs required extra block and was extra work, fixing the low spot on the walkway was not in the original contract, and the contrasting block was extra. I disagreed with the assessment on fixing the walkway as it was in the contract as I read it, but told them to provide me documentation and I would consider the other additional costs.
This is when things start to get strange. The total area of all pavers that were installed was 107 square feet (9’x12’ = 108 sf). Now the reasons for the extra request begin to change. The owner sent me an email giving the following reason:
An extra tier of block was added on the retaining wall – I didn’t request it, it wasn’t necessary, and it looks poorly done
Removal of boulders – there were no boulders or even large rocks on our property.
Client picked out more expensive pavers that what was estimated – that may/may not be true, but we were never informed that the cost was different when we picked them out nor when they were ordered. We were informed only after they arrived at the job site and had been installed. I still don’t know if the pavers are actually more per sf as I have seen no documentation. We certainly should have been notified of this price increase for the pavers and any price increase for installation in the three months between signing a contract and before arriving at our home.
Final design of the patio required more block cuts that initially estimated – this claim didn’t arise until days after the work was done and other claims had been rebutted.
The owner refuses to talk with us directly. Instead, he sends his employees out to request the extra reimbursement. His employees have been very polite and professional and we feel they are being unfairly treated. It seems they have been warned by the owner that they won’t get paid until they collect the money. I’m not sure that’s legal.
Bottom line: I cannot recommend BSM LANDSCAPING.
Dear Revdex.com,In response to the complaint regarding ID #***We recently did a lot of work for this customer starting with taking down very large maple trees, the customer was very pleased with the outcome of this work doneWe were told by the customer that he planned on
finishing the backyard himself with topsoil that is on a large pile on the neighboring property because he said he could get it for freeHe then changed his mind and decided to have us grind out the stumps from the trees that were taken down, regrade, and add topsoil, which was the same free topsoil that he planned on using from the neighboring propertyWe offered to have screened, better quality topsoil brought in, but the customer chose not spend the extra $because he was able to use the free soil from the neighboring propertyAfter the contract was written up, we talked to the neighbors and they decided they were going to charge us for the topsoilThe customer was upset that the neighbor changed his mind, but was still okay with us using it The customer was aware of the quality of this topsoil because it is in a large pile right against the property lineThe customer even said in his statement “The topsoil that was used is sub par topsoilWe did exactly what was stated in the contract, and when we were finished he checked our work before the final payment and was pleased. The customer was told that the yard needed to be heavily watered in order to grow properly with summer approachingWhen I received the customers concerns over a month after the work was completed, we met and discussed the issues, I found that the ground was extremely dry and brought it to his attentionThe customer then proceeded to tell me they have not been watering the yard enough, which is exactly what I sawWith this being the case there was some spotting in the yard, but there was a lot more grass than dirt showingI offered suggestions on how to fix the spotting but the customer would not be understandingHe was only interested in discussing his concerns, if we completely redid the yard with the better qualify soil I offered him to begin with. In conclusion, we are very sorry that the customer is not happy with the outcome of his decisions, but we did everything the contracted statedThe customer was happy with all of the work that was done up until this point. We wish that this issue did not have to go this far, and again, we are very sorrySincerly,Representative of BSM Landscaping
Since they are a local company, we asked them to bid on 3 projects on the property; 1) removal of 3 large trees, 2) landscaped steps down a hillside, and 3) an extension of a lower patio (estimated as approx. 9’x12’). Their bid for the tree removal was 3X the lowest bid. The bid for the steps was 2X the lowest bid. Since we have additional future landscaping projects on the horizon, and because they are very local, we decided to give them an opportunity on the patio extension project even thought their bid was higher than what would be considered normal for the project. At the time of the estimate, we also asked about fixing a low spot on a nearby existing walkway (approx. 4’x4’). Since the estimate included the phrase “fix low spots” we assumed that was included in the contract.
We contracted with them in March and put down a 1/3 deposit on the project ($10,500 total cost).
Note that there was never a sketch of the proposed work or an estimate of time and materials for the work to be performed. In hindsight this was a major failing on our part. We should have insisted on a sketch of the work to be done and a complete list of materials. Instead, I chose to trust the local guys. (So, word of warning – if you do chose to hire BSM make sure you get a complete sketch of the work to be done AND a complete list of materials and their cost.)
Within a week, we were called and asked to come pick out the block for the job, as they needed to order it immediately so that work could begin in the next 3 weeks. When we went to their yard, with a sample of the existing patio block, we were told that they couldn’t match the block, and that we would have to pick something else. (Note: I see this the same block as our patio every weekend at Home Depot but they didn’t carry it.) They suggested a decidedly different color with a contrasting border to make the extension appear “intentional.” Actually, a good suggestion and it looks nice.
Despite being contracted in March for April/May work their crew did not show up until mid-June. They immediately went to work on walkway low spot while we discussed the shape of the patio (9’x12’ rectangle was physically impossible) and connecting the extension to stairs from an upper deck. There were also decisions to be made on routing roof drainage outfall, and location of the retaining wall for the patio.
At the end of the first day of work we were told that there would be an $1,100.00 extra for the additional work performed. Surprised, I asked why and what was extra. Their response was that the landing for the stairs required extra block and was extra work, fixing the low spot on the walkway was not in the original contract, and the contrasting block was extra. I disagreed with the assessment on fixing the walkway as it was in the contract as I read it, but told them to provide me documentation and I would consider the other additional costs.
This is when things start to get strange. The total area of all pavers that were installed was 107 square feet (9’x12’ = 108 sf). Now the reasons for the extra request begin to change. The owner sent me an email giving the following reason:
An extra tier of block was added on the retaining wall – I didn’t request it, it wasn’t necessary, and it looks poorly done
Removal of boulders – there were no boulders or even large rocks on our property.
Client picked out more expensive pavers that what was estimated – that may/may not be true, but we were never informed that the cost was different when we picked them out nor when they were ordered. We were informed only after they arrived at the job site and had been installed. I still don’t know if the pavers are actually more per sf as I have seen no documentation. We certainly should have been notified of this price increase for the pavers and any price increase for installation in the three months between signing a contract and before arriving at our home.
Final design of the patio required more block cuts that initially estimated – this claim didn’t arise until days after the work was done and other claims had been rebutted.
The owner refuses to talk with us directly. Instead, he sends his employees out to request the extra reimbursement. His employees have been very polite and professional and we feel they are being unfairly treated. It seems they have been warned by the owner that they won’t get paid until they collect the money. I’m not sure that’s legal.
Bottom line: I cannot recommend BSM LANDSCAPING.
Dear Revdex.com,In response to the complaint regarding ID #***We recently did a lot of work for this customer starting with taking down very large maple trees, the customer was very pleased with the outcome of this work doneWe were told by the customer that he planned on
finishing the backyard himself with topsoil that is on a large pile on the neighboring property because he said he could get it for freeHe then changed his mind and decided to have us grind out the stumps from the trees that were taken down, regrade, and add topsoil, which was the same free topsoil that he planned on using from the neighboring propertyWe offered to have screened, better quality topsoil brought in, but the customer chose not spend the extra $because he was able to use the free soil from the neighboring propertyAfter the contract was written up, we talked to the neighbors and they decided they were going to charge us for the topsoilThe customer was upset that the neighbor changed his mind, but was still okay with us using it The customer was aware of the quality of this topsoil because it is in a large pile right against the property lineThe customer even said in his statement “The topsoil that was used is sub par topsoilWe did exactly what was stated in the contract, and when we were finished he checked our work before the final payment and was pleased. The customer was told that the yard needed to be heavily watered in order to grow properly with summer approachingWhen I received the customers concerns over a month after the work was completed, we met and discussed the issues, I found that the ground was extremely dry and brought it to his attentionThe customer then proceeded to tell me they have not been watering the yard enough, which is exactly what I sawWith this being the case there was some spotting in the yard, but there was a lot more grass than dirt showingI offered suggestions on how to fix the spotting but the customer would not be understandingHe was only interested in discussing his concerns, if we completely redid the yard with the better qualify soil I offered him to begin with. In conclusion, we are very sorry that the customer is not happy with the outcome of his decisions, but we did everything the contracted statedThe customer was happy with all of the work that was done up until this point. We wish that this issue did not have to go this far, and again, we are very sorrySincerly,Representative of BSM Landscaping