Juan install new sprinklers and sod in our small 550 sf front yard on 4/26/2021. Juan had his guys…read morehere on a Saturday and tore out the lawn.
After about a week the new sod was in. The sod looked very good over-all, but some of the edges having gaps between the rolls. I added lawn soil and seed and the lawn looked good until about 4 months ago. Mind you that was only 8 months after it was installed.
Areas on the right side near or hedges stated to die. I tried seeding it with various types of seed with no luck - nothing would grow.
Let me state clearly, I know how to prep and plant sod as I worked at a golf course and had the best 3000 sf Kentucky Bluegrass front lawn (that I prepped, put in the sprinkler system, put on top soil and rolled the sod) in my neighborhood for over 34 years.
I texted Juan over a month ago, on March 8, 2022 and asked him to come by to take a look and see if we could understand what was wrong with the sod in the one area. I in fact, asked him in two messages to PLEASE come by and take a look.
His reply was "it's the same area that you have always had problems with - there is nothing I can do. I did everything right, the soil, prep, irrigation is got a good coverage - probably is not getting enough sun - not much I can di about that."
That was the WRONG reply. I paid $3200.00 to him on April 26, 2021 to replace the existing sprinklers and sod in the house that I had purchased as I was told that he was the best guy around.
Well guess what? Juan put on the wrong sod for the exposure! We needed a shade tolerate blend and he used the wrong sod blend.
Juan Rios is a lic'd contractor in the State Of Califirnia and he has an obligation to stand behind his work and to know what sod will grow here in Danville and especially here in Blackhawk. (He in fact saw the old sod and that it was NOT growing in this area before he started the job and had every opportunuty to obtain the correct sod.)
After I stated (and not threateed) that I would go to the Calif. Contractor's Lic board and Contra Costa County small claims court, Juan called he and in a VERY defensive tone and told he that he did not like to get threatened and stated that he would remove the sod, put a layer of top soil and lay the new sod. He also stated immediately after the call, that he wanted to "put this all behind us and that he would replace the sod with the kind I tell him in and will consider it done."
Gee, that was a quick reply from a guy that had said there was nothing he could do.
After a couple of emails, I specified the sod type and I offered to pay for the it if he would just install it. Juan stated that he would pay for the new sod and install it and wanted no further issues. He also stated that I was to pick the type of new sod - which I did. I specified Shade Blend Grass from Sod and Seed.
Juan stated that he didn't know when he'd do what he now promised but that it would be at least two weeks out if not more!
Well, 6 weeks have passed and we are now on the 7th week with no futher calls or texts from Juan concerning the installation schedule.
Over the past month, I have babied the lawn. It has been over seeded, fertilized, and watered. With a lot if work on my part it is growing well EXCEPT the spots that I originally asked Juan to check out are still bare.
Today, 4/26/22 I texted Juan that rather than have him tear everything out, I offered that if woud just bring me one fresh roll of the correct sod that I would install it myself.
That text was set at 9:51am and at 9:36pm I've received no reply.
It's sad, Jwhat could have been something that he as well as I the customer could have been proud of (a beautiful green plush lawn that he installed and I maintain) has gotten to be a less than enjoyable experience.
Do I want an enemy or to post a poor review? NO! But when I pay someone for a service I expect them to do the right thing and come by when requested to take a look. I don't expect a defensive response to problem before it's even looked at, or a response that he did't everything right and frankly it is my problem.
In this State, there are courses of action regarding contractor law and consumers rights and when I a wronged I excerise them including posting this review.
I'll be certain to update this review if anything changes.