Hiring Kip's Clean Cut Landscaping was the worst financial decision I've ever made. When I signed a contract for more than $22,000 to have my backyard landscaped, I thought I was hiring a professional. After all, my yard isn't that big. I highly recommend that if you've signed a contract with Kip, take lots of pictures, document all the damages and contact the Idaho Board of Contractors when things get bad.
One of the mistakes I made was by believing the photos on his website were an example of the workmanship that I would receive. I was wrong. There is a huge discrepancy between what I received, and the work posted on Kip's Clean Cut Landscaping website.
When we signed the contract in April 2017, Kip said the project would take 2-3 weeks. After more than two months of excuses and damages to my home, I ended the contract. Working with Kip was a nightmare. He's sneaky. When he broke things, he only fixed it if I noticed it and asked him to fix it.
Here is a short list of my experience with Kip -
* The cement path and decking are already showing signs of spalling and cracking. Weird, because he told me cement is his specialty.
* The cement under the lamppost was poured thin and sloppy, then Kip didn't even bolt the lamp post to the cement. The bolts sit on top the cement. No functionality. The cement breaks away when I trim the grass around it.
* His skidsteer cracked and chipped my driveway.
* He got stain all over the side of my house (It was painted less than a month before Kip started working.)
* He didn't have the sprinklers working before he planted the trees and shrubs (Several trees and shrubs have died. He replaced two, so I'm out the cost of the rest of the plants.)
* He didn't stake the trees after planting them and they started to lean. I have since staked them and they're almost straight again. :)
* He installed the fire-pit incorrectly. It sits below ground level and fills with water when sprinklers go off. Mosquito heaven!
* The gate posts are not set in cement and could not hold up to the weight of the gate. The gate now sag. The posts were not set square to the fence so the screws (which are too short) pulled out within days of installing it. He patched the gate with blocks cut from 2x4s. It looks really shabby! It will need to be completely redone.
I feel deceived. The pictures of his work on his website are nothing like the workmanship that I received. Here are pictures of what I got for my money. You decide.
As an added bonus, see how many problems you can find with the fire-pit.
Kip's been in business for 11 years. Why does he only have two reviews? I'm sure he can handle shoveling sidewalks, moving grass, etc.; but, he doesn't have the skills set or experience to handle a large project. read more