I'm dealing with a bit of a nightmare situation with a landscaper I hired to install a patio in my garden. After getting a reasonable quote, I paid about 50% upfront for supplies. Initially, he had to delay the job by a couple of weeks due to scheduling issues, which I understood. However, when the new date came around, he again postponed citing another job running over, but offered a 10% discount as an apology.
Things got complicated when I discovered a leak under my drive, requiring additional work to fix the driveway. The landscaper agreed to take on this job too, but needed to push my date back again. After another series of delays and more money paid upfront (totaling about £2.5k at this point), I'm now left hanging with no communication about the supplies I was supposed to receive and no work being done. I'm starting to wonder if this is typical behavior for landscapers or if I should demand a refund and seek someone more reliable. Is this the norm?
3 Answers
Honestly, this sounds frustrating! If he's known for good work, maybe he's just overwhelmed? But you definitely deserve better communication. I’d recommend sticking to your guns and pushing for a refund if he continues to flake.
Yeah, I'm starting to feel like I might need to get a legal opinion on this.
It's tough to say, but it sounds like you could be in a sticky situation. A reputable landscaper should be licensed, insured, and bonded. This means that if anything goes wrong, you have some protection. I recommend checking those credentials next time.
Is being bonded common in the UK? Never heard of it!
Not really, unfortunately. Different regions have different laws about that.
No, this isn't typical behavior at all! It's concerning, and you might face challenges getting your money back. Make sure to check out customer reviews and maybe even talk to previous clients when you're looking for someone new. It can really save you a lot of headaches!
What should I look for when checking reviews or past work? Any specific questions to ask?
Definitely ask about their reliability and how they handle unexpected issues.
Good idea! If you can, look for advice on your best options.