I recently had a retaining wall put in my backyard, and the contractors used heavier machinery than expected, which destroyed a lot of my grass over the three days it was on site. They also messed up my new raised garden bed, but I managed to fix that myself with minimal loss. The real issue is how they handled reseeding the lawn afterward. They threw down a layer of poor-quality clay soil to cover the area before seeding, which has made it impossible for the grass to grow. I went ahead and bought good grass seed and applied it to the areas that still had decent soil, and it's thriving there, but the areas they treated are barren. I'm really frustrated and not sure if I should reach out to them. Am I being too demanding?
3 Answers
I've been in your shoes! After my landscaping went downhill, I ended up hiring someone to aerate and reseed the lawn, and it really turned things around. If they’re not willing to help out, do what you think is best for your yard. Sometimes, it might be easier just to cut your losses and handle it yourself. Just make sure you know what you're dealing with for future projects—having a detailed contract helps avoid situations like this!
It sounds like they really dropped the ball on this one! I had a similar situation, and I approached the contractor right away with my issues. They were willing to help fix it even though some time had passed. Just keep things respectful but firm when you contact them. It's your investment, after all! Also, maybe consider getting some topsoil and seeding it yourself if they don't respond positively.
You definitely shouldn't feel unreasonable for reaching out! It's the landscaper's job to leave your lawn in good condition after their work. Heavy machinery can damage the yard, but they should have taken those issues into consideration and used proper techniques to protect your grass. It's best to communicate your concerns and show them the pictures you have. They might be willing to fix it or offer some solutions to help you out.