I think that I would have written a very different review two weeks ago than I would want to write now. I am also a fair person and I don't want to write an initial review that might hurt a nice young couple that is, quite frankly, up against "big business". With their current training, their actual performance, I am satisfied. Bobby and Renee are an interesting and dynamic young couple. They are the "american dream". The pricing was great, the actual "work day" was well executed and they did a fine job. The complaint and gap is in their follow-through.
They started the job (trees and fence removal with post/concrete removal; as quoted) on or about 10 SEP. They came and picked up the final debris (after MY removal of the fence-posts) on 28 SEP. So, maybe it is a case of getting what you paid for but that does not benefit me or Monkey.
With the right training, right support and discipline in scheduling, we would use them again. The job is done, our house is safe and the property looks better and is better. We are happy... finally.
Here is where I would like to depart from the actual review of Monkey's Tree Service and instead wax poetic about American Small Business and the "dream deferred".
When we lived in Baltimore we got two different "home improvement" jobs done. Both of those events were single day, a stretch of a few hours actually, done well, done crisply and with no discussion. Both of those jobs were done by larger companies that had hired (illegal or not, I don't know, didn't check) Spanish speaking labor.
One of the refrains we heard from our friends at Monkey was "our workers....fill in the blank". They had challenges maintaining a work force to complete the jobs that Bobby hustled to get for the company.
They are trying to grow, trying to be successful but are held back by a few things; a lack of strategic planning, a lack of basic HR skills, a lack of clear roles for the two leads of the company. If I had the time and money I would like to give them an injection of capitol and some executive coaching which would allow them to turn that business around and really succeed.
What, you say there is a Small Business Administration to do that sort of thing...not for 2 people companies with one truck! If you care about these kind of things more than NFL protests...pay attention to what your prospective leaders are promising in terms of the "american dream" and making "america great"...and vote accordingly. read more