After previously having a great experience with this contractor, we chose to call them for a gutter cleaning. When we called, we were told the ticket would be sent to the team who would conduct the work, and we would be notified in advance via email and possibly via phone regarding what date they would be available, so them showing up shouldn't be a surprise to us. After more than a week, we still hadn't been contacted in any way by the work team (no email, no phone call). We realized that spring debris from a nearby oak tree was still to fall, so decided we would call back in a few weeks to see about getting on their schedule.
Earlier this week, I left a meeting at work to find that I had a voice mail from GH Clark informing me that they were heading to my house and would be there in 30 to 45 minutes unless they heard back from me. This put them (strange men) at my house at the same time my teenage children were arriving home from school, and meant they would unexpectedly be home around strangers without a trusted adult - something that would concern any parent. Literally at the same time I was listening to the voicemail, my child called me as he arrived home from school concerned that there were strange men at our house on my roof. When I arrived home a short while later, it was to find that the men had departed - and had left leaves from the gutters on the ground around my house, including in our outdoor pond killing several of our fish.
The next day, I called the office to voice my concerns, wanting nothing more than to be told I'd be given more notice next time and that next time the workers would not leave debris in my pond or otherwise harm my animals. I initially spoke with the receptionist (?), and she passed me on to her supervisor who turned out to be her mother. Full disclosure here before I continue, I am aware I have a potty mouth. I used an impolite word, which I immediately followed with an apology for the language when speaking with the first woman. The second woman I spoke with probably heard a bit more cursing - for which I did not immediately apologize.
When attempting to explain my issues for the second time to this new individual, she would not allow me to speak and kept interrupting me. By the time I finally gave up on trying to voice my concerns and disconnected, she was on quite a roll, talking over me and insisting that her workers had done me a favor.
I'm perfectly aware that this contractor is a business - businesses are created to make money, not to do people favors... The sudden change in plans, contrary to the nice office-lady's.. um... tutelage, was due to the desire to stay busy and continue to make money. And I suspect my home was not too far from wherever their last appointment of the day was located. While I can and do appreciate that my gutters are clean and undamaged, I do not appreciate the lack of notice (which put my children in a position I was not comfortable with), the lack of care regarding where they tossed the gutter debris (which ended up killing things in my pond), nor their poor customer care when I called to let them know.
I'll be needing a roof replacement soon, and had been considering contacting this contractor for the work. This experience had made me realize I need to look elsewhere. read more