We signed a contract for $5k of work and paid a $500 deposit by check. The initial part of the project was to remove two large hardwood trees and trim a pine tree, cut stumps to ground level, and cut all trees up into 16-18" lengths. We were responsible for picking up the pieces and splitting the wood. The second part of the project was to clear brush from about 0.5 acres. Like others, the quoting process was quick and cordial as the owner (Keith) and I had a beer on my porch. Like others, it then took numerous calls and 2.5 months for them to show up and begin work. The work was done piecemeal and numerous calls have been required. Finally, the trees were taken down to 3 ft stumps and some pieces of the tree were as long as 5 ft. At that point he demanded $1500 cash for the tree work with the $500 deposit still set aside for the brush clearing. I was not home at the time and another family member gave him the $1500 cash so he now had $2000 in total. We have called numerous times since then and Keith has returned some of those calls. We are now more than 4 months from the time we signed the contract. The stumps and uncut wood remain, the tree needs to be trimmed, and the brush clearing has not been started. We have asked for him to complete the tree work and return our $500 deposit for the brush clearing. He has done neither as of yet. read more