We were impressed with Brian when he first came for the quote. We were first time homeowners, and…read morereally did not know much about the upkeep up lawns. Since buying the house, the lawn had become patchy and overgrown, and we were ready to have someone help us maintain it. We were really impressed with his knowledge, professionalism, and all the recommendations he had for year-long care (when we could replant grass, when we should do cleanups, etc). We were given an estimate for an initial cleanup cost and a monthly cost with a year-long contract. What we understood was that overall yard maintenance after the cleanup would be included, and any seasonal things (aerating, seeding, bed care, etc) would be extra. Our yard consists of pine straw beds with a few bushes (no flower beds or gardens), monkeygrass edging, and fescue lawn.
Within 2 months, we started feeling unsatisfied; the weeds in the beds were growing, the ivy was growing over the fence, and the edging was overgrown. One man on Brian's staff came at MOST every 2 weeks and spent no more than 20 minutes doing the front and backyard. We wouldn't even care how long it took if we felt like the job was complete. So, we emailed Brian and tried to communicate our dissatisfaction. We were told that our maintenance contract only included lawn mowing, blowing (leaves not carried away- curbside), and "edging" (but not if it's monkeygrass edging). All the weeds growing in the beds though the pine straw and the ivy growing over the fence and onto the driveway were not their responsibility. We were not pleased, but we still said that we would entertain any estimate for "extra" work to have our yard looking professionally managed.
Over the fall, when we were promised longer service because of all the leaves, the service was no extra, and all but one time the leaves and debris were actually blown into the ivy to the side of the driveway and never bagged. Each time we complained, we were told stories about how his staff works a lot with second jobs, may be tired, and will be talked to. No changes. We were given an estimate for the aeration and overseed, and we accepted because we were hoping the patchy lawn would improve.
Over the winter, the visits became fewer and, when asked, it was because it was the "dormant" season. So, now, service was at most 20-30 minutes per month.
This Spring, aka the growing season, we have seen them twice in April and only once in the first week of May. They kept cancelling due to rain, but here we are mid June and no one has been since May 3rd. You can imagine how long our grass is. Our lawn is still patchy. The beds are embarrassingly overgrown. The grass is intermixed with weeds. The monkeygrass edging is so overgrown parts are browning. The ivy is over the fence and encroaching on all the trees.
Frankly, my family is shocked when I tell them that we have a lawn service. It has become embarrassing that we have spent that money for the past entire year with the yard looking like it does. We never declined estimates for extra work. All we wanted was a well kept yard we could be proud of and an open line of communication.
We still find Brian professional and likely very knowledgeable. However, we felt as though we were put last as clients; We surely hope that all his customers weren't missed for more than an entire month. We have tried talking in person and by email about expectations. If we could post pictures, we think the yard would speak for itself with regards to whether we can recommend this business. We can't imagine that our yard is what Brian would want on the front his business cards..... Disappointing end, and now we have to begin the search for another company and pay another "clean up" initial fee because it is such a mess.
