Disappointing Experience and Unwillingness to Stand Behind Their Work…read more
Dr. Sprinkler doesn't even deserve 1 star.
$9,200 Later, My planter Is a swamp, and Dr. Sprinkler refuses to take responsibility.
I hired Dr. Sprinkler to completely redo my backyard, including removing the existing turf and road base, preparing the yard, grading it, and installing new sod. The project cost approximately $9,200.
Unfortunately, what I got was a backyard with serious drainage problems that have existed since the work was completed.
Bushes and flowers were planted in the planters, and almost immediately I noticed one of the bushes dying. When I dug it out to investigate, I discovered what can only be described as a swamp. The soil was saturated with standing water.
I contacted Dr. Sprinkler multiple times, hoping they would come out, investigate the problem, and make things right. Instead, their explanation has consistently been that the problem is due to dense clay soil, insufficient drainage, and overwatering.
Let's talk about this overwatering issue. During a heat wave, when the grass was starting to brown, I increased the sprinkler schedule from 4 minutes to 6 minutes. Apparently, according to Dr. Sprinkler, that's enough to blame the homeowner for the drainage problems. The implication is that if I don't water my lawn, or if it never rains, I wouldn't have a problem.
That's not a solution. That's an excuse.
After getting nowhere with Dr. Sprinkler, I had multiple independent landscaping contractors inspect the yard. The feedback was consistent: the grading and soil preparation needed to be corrected.
One contractor provided an estimate of $7,308 to remove the existing lawn, excavate 4-6 inches, bring in appropriate topsoil, properly regrade the yard, and install new sod.
My understanding from these inspections is that the original soil preparation was inadequate. Rather than properly preparing the yard with suitable soil and grading, the existing road base appears to have been left underneath the new sod, leaving the water with nowhere to properly drain or be absorbed.
What makes this experience even worse is how Dr. Sprinkler has handled the situation.
I provided photos, explained the problems, shared an independent contractor's estimate, and went through multiple emails and visits with Dr. Sprinkler. I gave them every opportunity to investigate and come up with a reasonable solution.
Their response? Deny responsibility and blame the soil, the weather, and my watering schedule.
I paid $9,200 for a professionally redone backyard. I shouldn't have to spend another $7,308 to fix the work I already paid someone else to do.
Landscaping projects can have challenges. I understand that. But when a contractor takes thousands of dollars to redo a yard, I expect the grading and soil preparation to be done properly. And when problems arise, I expect them to stand behind their work rather than spend months making excuses and pointing fingers at the customer.
I have now filed a complaint with the California Contractors State License Board.
If you're considering hiring Dr. Sprinkler, I strongly recommend getting every detail of the grading, soil preparation, excavation, and drainage work spelled out in writing. Don't assume that paying for a backyard renovation means those things will actually be done properly.
Based on my experience, I would absolutely not hire Dr. Sprinkler again, and I cannot recommend them to anyone.