Howie's Land Management

Id like to first point out that I responded to the customers concerns immediately-in good faith on many occasions during my time on the job. I was hired to clear the trees and prepare the property for a stick build barn by creating a simple pad. In the meantime client changed her mind to have a modular prebuild barn delivered, which required more extensive preps to the pad. Property owners both expressed satisfaction to my work progress and asked me to complete that task as well. All of the changes and wet weather conditions as well as holidays made the completion time extend. Please note I was done by the time the barn was delivered. The price quoted also changed, as work became more complex and time consuming. The client was informed about the cost adding up every time she added a new work order, and verbally agreed and paid. The driveway and the pipe was the last task I was asked to complete. Again, it was installed during rainy weeks. The client expressed the need for us to utilize the few dry days in between, as she wasn't able to move on with other projects. Despite my opinion of it being too wet I agreed to keep things moving. I have installed the driveway correctly, but I did inform the client that it needed time to settle and compact, especially the second part of the road, as it was installed on a loose, wet soil. I also agreed to come out and tamp it after the ground dries up, which was expensed by my company. Please note the gravel was mostly compacted by then, just like I predicted. In regards to the pipe issue; id like to note that I completed it based on budget given to me by the client. My original plan was declined, because the client did not want to pay for digging out the ditch longer to allow the drainage to function properly. That also didn't allow me to put the pipe any deeper, hence why the gravel was covering it only by 3inches. Please note that even though the client is dissatisfied with the job, she never stated anything when she handed me the check. Id have never jeopardized the good name of my company and install unsafe driveway, however, the client never mentioned that she wanted to have dumptrucks drive over it either. Only to my surprise, when I came out on January 30th to tamp the gravel, the client informed me that she changed her mind about the type of the pipe she would like instead and asked me to replace it free of charge. Without giving it much thought I agreed that id come back, but after reflecting on the entire situation I decided against it. The original pipe was the pipe she chose and agreed to upon completion. It was installed properly and correctly and it is safe to drive on. The fact that I suggested to have it installed deeper, and was declined, does not hold me responsible for replacing it, because the client changed her mind. Again, the client was satisfied when she handed me the final check. I have tried to accommodate the customer and work with her on the budget, I've spent countless hours walking the property with her, measuring, laying things out, giving her my professional opinion, none of which I charged her for. I have went as far as looking at her horses feet, and giving her a free check up ( something I charge for, as I run a second business as farrier). I have spent 2 hours driving in t-posts around her property using my equipment and didn't charge for the work either. I also helped them get their horse trailer unstuck on two occasions. I did all these things out of good will.
I strongly feel that I provided the customer with not only the best service possible, given the circumstances of budget and weather, but also super friendly and willing. I feel I have been open and honest with my professional opinion,hence why I disagree with claims filed against me. If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.
Respectfully

First and foremost, I am not lying about anything. I have made two mistakes; one of which was a miscalculation. I admitted to it openly and went out of my way to make up for it. The cost of the entire project grew, as the client kept adding more things, which I have informed her about each and every time.
Going back to the pipe and ditch. As I stated, the client did not want to pay for me to dig up the ditch. She did not give me free hand to do whatever I felt was needed and wasn't as easy going about everything as she states. Every single project was discussed prior to completion. She knew what was going to be used, the cost and final product.
The heavy delivery trucks came thru the front of the barn property to deliver the concrete needed for the barn piers, client never mentioned that this new driveway will be used for more deliveries in the future. It isn't a farm. Its a horse barn and pasture field. Once the building project is completed, I do not see why she would have more heavy trucks driving thru. It is safe to use for a truck and trailer, however if she feels uncomfortable having the dump trucks drive over,she can add gravel to the top, to make it stronger, or ask the drivers to deliver the materials the same way they had been in the past. I installed what I was paid for. The only way id have been able to put the pipe deeper,which would allow for 12" covering, is if I was paid to dig the ditch out, which was going to cost $3000 more. The client did not want to pay that. I cannot stress that enough.
Please note the state requirement mentioned by the client is simply a suggestion/specification for proper installation of pipe culverts on residential properties, to the overall performance of the structure and serves as a guide.