Total Beauty Landscaping

I spoke with both Mr. & Mrs. [redacted] about landscaping their home mid June, both were in agreement on me doing the work, I presented a full color layout of what I purposed to do, after going over the layout both agreed...

for me to start. I performed all the work that I presented in the blue print however to my mistake in trusting the [redacted] at their word I relied on a verbal contract, when normally I prefer written contracts. I never asked the [redacted] for any money down all money to complete the job came out of my pocket, It took me approximately 2 1/2 weeks and 4 workers, to complete the project of whom I also paid daily out of my pocket. During this time Mrs. [redacted] was bringing her friends by to see her yard which seem to be pleased at the progress as well as Mrs. [redacted] herself. Once I had completed the job and the price was on the table, Mrs. [redacted] asked if we could reduce the cost of the written invoice I presented to them, I asked how much when I clearly notated all I spent to complete the job. I reduced the price to what I spent on materials, pottery, plants, wall decorations and workers the invoice did not include my labor, after having this conversation Mrs. [redacted] said she would be getting a second opinion. [redacted] and [redacted] refuse to come to any kind of agreement to pay the bill, however Mr. [redacted] did agree to give me $500 June 27th because I explained to him I was leaving town for my anniversary and would like to be paid, it was late Mr. [redacted] stated that all he could withdraw was $500 from the ATM.  While away Mr. [redacted] was to call me and let me know what amount he and the wife had agreed on paying, I never received one phone call about paying me or when I could pick up my money! After calling numerous times and visiting their home,  Mr. [redacted] got upset and said it was between me and his wife this was her project and he wanted nothing to do with it.  After speaking with Mr. [redacted] I come to the conclusion that they were not going to pay me nothing more than the $500. It was the hardest thing for me to do but after praying and many restless nights I decided to chalk it up as a loss.  I explained to Mr. [redacted] that it would take me some time to remove the material and or plants wall décor and all pottery I used to complete the job. Mr. [redacted] said that he understood and agreed for me to remove all materials, I have not spoken with Mrs. [redacted] since she mentioned what she did not like and that she was not going to pay anything and that I could remove everything from her yard. The $500 Mr. [redacted] gave me for the repairs of their front porch did not even cover the cost of the contractor I paid to perform those repairs. Lesson learned never do big jobs without written contracts! I feel the [redacted] are good people and striving to be comfortable in life just like the rest of us, but you can not allow someone to work in your yard for 2 1/2 weeks and not pay. I did not force Mrs. and  Mr. [redacted] into letting me do the work.  [redacted] is a fine officer of the law whom I have greatly respect. But No one can put a cost on ones labor, and no one will pay the same cost as a contractor for materials. Even after presenting the [redacted] with a written invoice they refuse to pay. The price was lowered and I explained we could work something out they just refuse to pay anything over the $500 and Mrs. [redacted] did not want him to pay me that.