Landscaping by Mike

As per another discussion, I am amending / modifying my complaint.  I have attached a copy of the invoice. I am seeking all of my money back, as t was futile that I paid $1,400.00 on 11/25 to...

have my yard regraded and window wells added.  The regrade consisted of lowering my yard (removing all sod/grass) by 6-8 inches - the side and back yard.  I paid for window wells (they added extenders, when the discussion was to dig old window wells out and add 22" or 24" inch window wells - I let it go on that day but that should have definitely stayed in my mind.  I paid a lot of money.  The window wells and again many discussions on phone, in person and on-site the day they were installing and regraded (ask [redacted] why and what my purpose of regrading and window wells was!!!!) -  That tells you right there - ask them what they were doing on 11/25 and the purpose of regrading and window wells.Again, the object was to lower my yard (all below the brick and patio in the back and side yard.  Initially the downspouts and drains were not even in a conversation until late afternoon on 11/25 when the regrading and window wells were installed.  I was talked into it all.  Was not on my radar at all - I was going to wait until Spring and just have my yard re-sodded.  My regrading on 11/25 was perfect - absolutely perfect exactly what I wanted.  On 11/26 a nightmare (remember this 11/26 was a wet snowy day and I did not see everything as mud everywhere - he said he would follow up in the Spring (that was on-side on 11/26) - - my yard is so uneven, again, dirt river rock all through it, dirt river rock up against my side house (which is my floor boards), exposed pvc on my side yard - he tried to say I set the grade - no they re-set the grade on 11/26 with all of the dirt and river rock -  they know that is what happened (they showed up on my property on Saturday, May 9th acting like they were just going to rack the dirt and saying everything was fine).  That is their fault. Someone was not paying attention (Project Manager should have been directing and not having 4 people doing their own thing.  One, the downspouts should have been completed first (dug and installed - as the yard re-grade which was set on 11/25 was right (it was set the day before not after they brought in all the river rock and dug up the yard with caused a lot dirt (16 to 18" more dirt), then the drain whatever they put 16 inches down.  Now I have exposed pvc 8-10 inches up in the side yard (again exposed - gross and unsightly - Columbia Gas people were questioning what happened as well as my neighbors).  The pvc can also be seen going down the side yard -  it is exposed - did not even dig lower there.  So, a lawnmower would hit it and eventually break the pvc.  Plus I know he did not fill concrete or his supposed foam in the old terracotta's or pvcs that was there (Meanwhile with all of the confusion, I do not even believe I needed the downspouts rerouted as no water was visible after 45 minutes to an hour of a hose going down the gutters.) On-site on Saturday, May 9 he tried to say the old pvc was hooked up to the sewer line or just ran behind the driveway wall.  I corrected him to say I just bought the house last year and dye tests on done so I know for a fact not connected to the sewer line - why not fill this one since you are now stating you filled them - you are the one who cut into the old pvc - this is how I know that I probably did not even need my downspouts re-routed again).  (I have issues going on in my garage and side yard which is why I needed yard regarded.  With the adding the dirt and river rock up against the house (the bricks)  has led to more issues (water literally comes in and hits my main beam and I am sure going under my floor boards).  Also, if the old downspouts not filled that causes more water coming in now.So, now I have paid $3485.00 and I am in worse shape than I was to begin with.  The river rock and dirt is up higher than what it was on the side yard and a bit in the back.  With no grass or sod.   So, in layman's terms,  the sod and top soil required for the sod would bring my yard up and over the patio by inches.  Meanwhile I wanted people to step down from the patio.   Any person, (my neighbors have all asked) can see the [redacted] work that was performed.  Again, I am in worse condition than if I did nothing.I am attempting to download my pictures and videos of before and after.  I may have to place on a thumb drive and mail.
I apologize for all of the confusion, but with the amended complaint, the resolution is a full refund of $3,485.00 or a total regrade of the yard - sloping away from the foundation (down 6 - 8 inches (the patio is the back yard is the marking - on 11/25 it was clearly 8 inches below the patio)  (if not more - way below the window wells that were installed )- no dirt should ever have  been added to the window well levels at all - that was not the intent and was stressed.  Downspouts redone and below ground level after the original regrade level (of 11/25/14) and old downspout connections filled with concrete. The downspouts should not be visible at all.
The invoice was attached (for both days 11/25 and 11/26) reflecting the original complaint as well as the amended complaint.

Review: On 11/24/2014 hired [redacted]'s Lawncare to excavate my and side yard(s) as well as install 5 window wells (extensions). Many discussions way before anyone was on the property was discussed that no dirt was to be added to the bricks that was the intent of adding the window well extension. I needed to have all dirt removed and lowered starting back of house by 6-8 inches (side yard needed leveled to match side house - where no dirt was on bricks at all). This was accomplished and the yard was perfect.

During and at end of work on 11/24/2014, discussions came into play that they could put a drain all around my house, re-route my downspouts, etc. for 1900. ($2,000 on the bill not sure what the extra $100. is $(80. was for removing debris that I had bagged). [redacted] said they could come the next day get it all done, etc.

As a NOTE - I have pictures and videos of before and after.

The next day was the day before Thanksgiving. The work team arrived around 9:00 (4 people - [redacted], [redacted] the plumber and two other laborers). Around 10:00 a.m. it started snowing unexpectedly. Everyone was working aggressively, I was in front yard cutting and picking up all of the tree limbs, bushes, etc. from day before, we had set in the yard and the laborers sawed up to smaller pieces so I could bag). There was a whole front yard worth of debris.

Mud was everywhere and everyone. The two laborers left, [redacted] was finishing up his part (the side yard with the downspouts. At this point I noticed they had taken 'bricks' off of my driveway wall. I asked [redacted] about it and I said that was not part of the discussion of what was to be done on my property. I could not see the side yard as again it was pure mud and snow everywhere. He said they had to do it for now. In the Spring the ground will settle and things will 'sink' and he would be back to take a look out it and we could proceed with the landscaping.

A week later I was out in the back and saw exactly what they did, I was really upset, called [redacted] and we had long discussion. He said he would come back in the Spring and review. I said all of the rocks was not part of the deal and the mud (dirt) was all up against the house (my bricks - which is my floorboards to my house - my house is ground level). He knew I did not want any dirt on my house at all (brick level). Again, he assured me he would be back in the Spring.

Texted and called again a few weeks later saying water was coming in at the floorboards and the garage floor. He said (and I have in my texts) as well as phone conversations that [redacted] the plumber probably did not fill the old terracotta or old downspout drains with concrete. Again, he stated sit tight and wait until Spring and he will come out and fix everything.

I had other issues all winter, I have numerous conversations, etc.

Spring arrives, kept calling to set up an appointment for him to see, even the neighbors were questions what was going on. Weeks go by he shows up and started saying 'too bad' we did what you told us to do (which is a lie), etc. Then is he said if I pay for a dingo he would come out and regard the side yard ($250.00 for the dingo). He called said he was coming out. Nothing. Couple days later [redacted] on the property as they are doing maintenance and saw the PVC piping and just shook his head - conversations took place. I removed the bricks that [redacted] and [redacted] had taken from my driveway in November and now I know why all of the mud and river rock was all over my properly. They built up 4-6 inches of pure dirt, rocks, etc. to cover the exposed that [redacted] had placed back in November - that is why the dirt, rocks, etc. is so high and up against my house - the whole window wells extension covered - shocking - and (on my bricks of the house). They did not do what they were contracted to do. the PVC was suppose to be underground not just buried with mud and rocks, etc. acting like it was underground (i have pictures). Again, I could not see anything during the winter months, but I did see things, I texted or call [redacted] about it. I sent him pictures - no response.

Also, river rock was not part of the contract either. [redacted] the landscaper knew my intent was to have the my ground excavated and leveled (more slanted towards the back yard), then have top soil and sod or grass seed put in. The whole excavation job from 11/23/2014 was to lower my ground away from my foundation - totally off of the bricks again, the window wells installed for this purpose - 11/23 was perfect - then I was talked in to the drain, etc. - that is the nightmare). Now I have inches of dirt, river rock and pebble on my brick as well as my whole back yard (again I have before and after videos and pictures.) There is no way I could bring in top soil and seed or sod. It would be inches higher than when we even first started the whole excavation.

I want my $2,000 back so I can start over again with another contractor, or I want all of the river rock, pebbles, dirt (off of the bricks) and throughout the yard and my yard leveled back to what it was on 11/23.

For 11/23/2014 I paid $1,400 for excavation and 5 window well extensions. I paid and that is not an issue. The issue is part of the invoice for $2,085.00 for 11/25/2014.Desired Settlement: I want my $2,000 back so I can start over again with another contractor, or I want all of the river rock, pebbles, dirt (off of the bricks) and throughout the yard and my yard leveled back to what it was on 11/23. PVC pipping must be underground after the regrading, and the old downspouts need filled with concrete.

Consumer

Response:

As per another discussion, I am amending / modifying my complaint. I have attached a copy of the invoice. I am seeking all of my money back, as t was futile that I paid $1,400.00 on 11/25 to have my yard regraded and window wells added. The regrade consisted of lowering my yard (removing all sod/grass) by 6-8 inches - the side and back yard. I paid for window wells (they added extenders, when the discussion was to dig old window wells out and add 22" or 24" inch window wells - I let it go on that day but that should have definitely stayed in my mind. I paid a lot of money. The window wells and again many discussions on phone, in person and on-site the day they were installing and regraded (ask [redacted] why and what my purpose of regrading and window wells was!!!!) - That tells you right there - ask them what they were doing on 11/25 and the purpose of regrading and window wells. Again, the object was to lower my yard (all below the brick and patio in the back and side yard. Initially the downspouts and drains were not even in a conversation until late afternoon on 11/25 when the regrading and window wells were installed. I was talked into it all. Was not on my radar at all - I was going to wait until Spring and just have my yard re-sodded. My regrading on 11/25 was perfect - absolutely perfect exactly what I wanted. On 11/26 a nightmare (remember this 11/26 was a wet snowy day and I did not see everything as mud everywhere - he said he would follow up in the Spring (that was on-side on 11/26) - - my yard is so uneven, again, dirt river rock all through it, dirt river rock up against my side house (which is my floor boards), exposed pvc on my side yard - he tried to say I set the grade - no they re-set the grade on 11/26 with all of the dirt and river rock - they know that is what happened (they showed up on my property on Saturday, May 9th acting like they were just going to rack the dirt and saying everything was fine). That is their fault. Someone was not paying attention (Project Manager should have been directing and not having 4 people doing their own thing. One, the downspouts should have been completed first (dug and installed - as the yard re-grade which was set on 11/25 was right (it was set the day before not after they brought in all the river rock and dug up the yard with caused a lot dirt (16 to 18" more dirt), then the drain whatever they put 16 inches down. Now I have exposed pvc 8-10 inches up in the side yard (again exposed - gross and unsightly - Columbia Gas people were questioning what happened as well as my neighbors). The pvc can also be seen going down the side yard - it is exposed - did not even dig lower there. So, a lawnmower would hit it and eventually break the pvc. Plus I know he did not fill concrete or his supposed foam in the old terracotta's or pvcs that was there (Meanwhile with all of the confusion, I do not even believe I needed the downspouts rerouted as no water was visible after 45 minutes to an hour of a hose going down the gutters.) On-site on Saturday, May 9 he tried to say the old pvc was hooked up to the sewer line or just ran behind the driveway wall. I corrected him to say I just bought the house last year and dye tests on done so I know for a fact not connected to the sewer line - why not fill this one since you are now stating you filled them - you are the one who cut into the old pvc - this is how I know that I probably did not even need my downspouts re-routed again). (I have issues going on in my garage and side yard which is why I needed yard regarded. With the adding the dirt and river rock up against the house (the bricks) has led to more issues (water literally comes in and hits my main beam and I am sure going under my floor boards). Also, if the old downspouts not filled that causes more water coming in now. So, now I have paid $3485.00 and I am in worse shape than I was to begin with. The river rock and dirt is up higher than what it was on the side yard and a bit in the back. With no grass or sod. So, in layman's terms, the sod and top soil required for the sod would bring my yard up and over the patio by inches. Meanwhile I wanted people to step down from the patio. Any person, (my neighbors have all asked) can see the [redacted] work that was performed. Again, I am in worse condition than if I did nothing. I am attempting to download my pictures and videos of before and after. I may have to place on a thumb drive and mail.I apologize for all of the confusion, but with the amended complaint, the resolution is a full refund of $3,485.00 or a total regrade of the yard - sloping away from the foundation (down 6 - 8 inches (the patio is the back yard is the marking - on 11/25 it was clearly 8 inches below the patio) (if not more - way below the window wells that were installed )- no dirt should ever have been added to the window well levels at all - that was not the intent and was stressed. Downspouts redone and below ground level after the original regrade level (of 11/25/14) and old downspout connections filled with concrete. The downspouts should not be visible at all.The invoice was attached (for both days 11/25 and 11/26) reflecting the original complaint as well as the amended complaint.