I just moved into a new house that came with a bare backyard, and I hired a landscaper recommended by the builder. We picked out some trees together from a local nursery, and the landscaper bought and planted them for us. However, two weeks later, two of the trees were shedding needles and looked unhealthy. The landscaper said they were getting enough water and suggested we reach out to the nursery regarding a warranty, but when we did, they said that since the landscaper made the purchase, he needed to handle the warranty claim. Unfortunately, he lost the receipt, and now we're trying to figure out if the nursery should be responsible for the trees or if the landscaper should offer us a discount. I also know that the trees already had some brown needles when we selected them, which the nursery brushed off as sun damage. We've already spent $800 on these trees and would really appreciate any insights on who's liable here and your experiences with warranties in landscaping.
3 Answers
Honestly, if the landscaper lost the receipt and that's the reason he can't fulfill the warranty claim, then he should definitely be responsible for reimbursing you. Keeping track of purchases and receipts is essential in this business. As for whether there should be a warranty, I think most nurseries should at least offer some form of guarantee against bad plants, especially if any signs of trouble were missed prior to purchase.
Right! It's frustrating when the landscape company doesn’t take responsibility for their purchases, especially when so much is at stake.
Yes, I believe most landscapers should offer at least a one-year warranty on their plantings. Typically, any reputable company would stand behind their work and ensure the plants are healthy after installation.
It's super important to clarify the warranty policy before making any purchases, so I can see why this is frustrating. A good contractor would have this information clearly documented in their contracts or proposals and should keep track of the receipt for these situations. It's not fair to leave you in the dark!
Exactly! A lot of local garden centers I know provide warranties unless it's a clearance sale. If the trees died from disease rather than just environmental factors, you might have a solid case for getting replacements.