Colonial Landscape

Colonial Landscape misrepresented prior experiences and expertise, damaged our property, and completed work that was not in line with contract. All events occurred between 4/21/2014 and 7/2/2014. - In April, Colonial Landscape indicated their pool landscaping experienced included "following" [redacted] ([redacted]) and [redacted], Dudley. After research AquaScape had never heard of Colonial Landscape and the [redacted] at [redacted] confirmed Colonial Landscape did NOT do the coping work around the pool (just the patio). - Colonial Landscape indicated they had 8 additional workers and timing would not be a problem. We have since learned there are only 2 workers and we have had issues with the timing/attention to our project. Concrete removal expected to be completed first week in May was completed 5/27. - Colonial Landscape collected a 50% deposit "to order materials" since they had several large projects and could not front the money. After speaking with their vendor, Camosse Masonry and Supply, the materials were never ordered in May and only about a 1/4 of the materials had been delivered to our house by 7/1/2014. Further Colonial Landscape indicated the vendor "lost/damaged" our materials which we found our later was not true either. Colonial Landscape also tried to convince us to use Bullnose coping in place of Portofino coping for the same cost (the Bullnose is half the price of the Portofino). - Colonial Landscape's quote indicated that they would provide the base layer to the "manufacturer specifications". After all the work was completed by Colonial Landscape, there was a thick layer of Stone Dust installed, compacted and graded. After consulting the manufacturer guidelines, Stone Dust cannot be used with Techo Bloc and all Stone Dust has to be removed and disposed, and all installation of new materials has to be done by another landscaper.- Colonial Landscape indicated to us that we would be able to drive over the pavers after installation. After referring to the manufacturers guidelines, the Blue 60 slabs we were contracted for are only for pedestrian traffic. - Colonial Landscape indicated on 7/2/2014, after termination, that we would receive a statement of work completed on 7/3/2014. This has not been received to date. - Colonial Landscape indicated there would be no issues with settling of the materials. Within a week of Colonial Landscape leaving our property, there was an area already caving in. - Colonial Landscape cut the ground wire that prevents the electrocution of swimmers. Although we realize it would be difficult not to, they did not alert us of this, and buried the broken wires. We realized this when we saw a piece of the wire sticking up from the compacted ground.- Colonial Landscape damaged our pool wall. They indicated it was due to poor backfill and the weight of the Bobcat. In later conversations, Colonial Landscape indicated the backfill was not as bad as originally thought. - Colonial Landscape completed an out of scope escavation of materials. Not only was the expected work not completed, but no budget was provided after asking repeatedly. - Due to timing of Colonial Landscape and the unfinished product, we are limited in our use of the pool this summer. The cost to maintain it includes electicity and chemicals. - We now need to hire a more expensive landscaper to complete a project that is half done, and the half that is done needs to be redone. The latest timing we received on when this could be done is October, 2014.Desired SettlementWe are looking to get a refund of the deposit made minus the cost of the Blu 60 pavers that remain at our residence uninstalled. Although Colonial Landscape indicated he paid $2,500 for the pavers, we have confirmed with Colonial Landscape that the maxiumum cost of the pavers would have been $1,601. Therefore we are looking for $7500 - $1600 = $5900. We had originally requested a refund of half, but after more fact finding regarding the improper installation, improper representation, and revealing of poor worksmanship, the costs to repair what is done are much higher than anticipated.