So, my wife hired a landscaper to redo our front yard, and things are not going as expected. They provided an itemized quote and a mockup photo, and I casually approved it without diving into the details. Now, the landscaper wants payment, but there are several issues: 1) We're missing about 7 plants compared to the photo, and he's saying he only follows the quote. 2) Some plants are already dead or damaged—three were destroyed by deer almost immediately, and I can't believe he put delicate plants right next to the woods without discussing it with us first. 3) He made some changes to the plan without checking with us, opting for mulch instead of the stone walkway we clearly wanted. I'm meeting with him this afternoon, and I worry it might turn ugly. Any advice on how to handle this?
7 Answers
If the quote doesn’t specify the stone path, then he might not be obligated to install it. Make sure he follows whatever was actually laid out in the quote. Changes should definitely be approved by you first.
Look, I get it, but you probably should've read everything before giving the green light. As for the deer damage, it’s unfortunate, but he likely didn’t know about the wildlife situation unless you mentioned it beforehand. All of this could've been avoided if you had been more thorough in reviewing the design and contract. Just talk it out with him and see where you can compromise. You both made mistakes, but maybe he’ll be reasonable to work with.
Good point about the approval. I thought the drawings were great, but I guess I missed some finer details. I’m just worried it could end up feeling a bit shady!
You’re not wrong for feeling frustrated, but you approved all of this without really looking. It does seem a bit on you as well since the landscaper isn’t a mind reader. Maybe he followed the quote closely, but it sounds like communication could be better all around.
This just seems like a mix of unclear requirements and a rushed review on your part. It's easy for things to get messy when both sides drop the ball a little. Make sure to clarify everything next time to avoid this!
Trust me, I feel you. I had a nightmare experience with a landscaper too. I specified everything, but he didn’t deliver. It turned into a huge hassle. Just be straightforward and see if you can work it out. If not, you may need to stand your ground.
Honestly, just try to reach an agreement. If he needs to replant due to deer, it might be worth covering that cost since it could've happened down the line anyway.
First off, try to keep it friendly. The more civil you are, the better chance you have of working this out. If they’re decent people, they’ll want to help you. But if you go in hot, it won’t help your case at all. Good luck!
Totally agree! I know emails can often be misinterpreted, so I’ll keep an open mind during our meeting too.
Yeah, the quote mentions only the weight of the stone, not the path itself. It’s so vague it’s hard to judge what’s out there.