Hi everyone, I'm currently building a house with my mom, and we hired John (not his real name), who is the stepdad of one of our builders, to handle some landscaping. At first, we were excited about working with him, but we've had some frustrating incidents. Recently, while his worker was blowing dirt off our walkway, our front door's glass got shattered. We can't prove it definitively, but we have footage showing the timing of it. Replacing the door cost us $5,000.
The second issue happened when John decided to dig a berm and accidentally hit my irrigation lines, which are crucial for my farm. This damage will also cost around $5,000 since I need to replace the line. He didn't inform me he was digging or ask about the irrigation, which I think is only fair given that he knows I'm farming here. Although he suggested an irrigation company for repair, he hasn't offered to cover any costs. We're considering whether to continue using his services or if these incidents are just bad luck. I'm a people pleaser, and so is my mom, so it's hard to navigate this situation. Any advice?
3 Answers
I feel for you! These costs sound huge, especially for just a door and some pipes. But if he's damaging your property and not taking responsibility, it might be best to cut ties. You can always find someone else who will treat your home and business with respect. Just don't let guilt stop you from making the right choice. Good luck!
Honestly, firing him seems like the best option. A good professional would have communicated better and taken care of the damages right away. If he's avoiding responsibility now, what's to say he won't cause more issues later on? You deserve someone who respects your property and farm!
It sounds like you have a solid case to fire him. He should be accountable for the damages, especially if he didn't inform you of his work on the irrigation. I'd recommend confronting him about paying for those repairs or at least consider filing a claim with his insurance if he refuses to take responsibility.