I called several tree services in the area to remove 3 trees from my property. Ritchie Tree Service was the best price. I sent the following text message to Todd to clarify the scope of work since he didn't provide a written quote.
"Hi Todd, I got the estimate from the other tree services. You are the best offer.
If I may, here is what I believe we discussed.
Ritchie Tree service scope of work.
3/4/2023
Remove (3) trees ( maple, mulberry and cedar) and grind the stumps on the vacant lot at 6997 Shoreline Drive Delton MI. 49046.
All tree limbs smaller than 4" in diameter will be chipped and removed from the property. All remaining wood larger than 4" in diameter will remain on the lot and will be cut into approximately 4 foot or shorter lengths. The owner will dispose of the wood left on the lot.
The cost for the above described work is $2,000 cash paid upon completion.
If this is accurate, I would appreciate you doing my tree work as described above."
I called Todd a couple of days later to see if he got my text message. He said that he would not cut the remaining wood on the lot into 4 foot pieces. I agreed as I had a friend that wanted the wood and he was willing to cut the large pieces up himself. When Todd arrived with his helper, we briefly discussed the job. He did a good job of cutting down the trees but during the process he dropped a large log (4-5" in diameter and about 3 foot long) on my neighbors electric power line. It hit the power line so hard that it pulled the electrical meter sockets (3) off the side of the building. It made the power pole with the transformer shake violently.
At the end of the job, Todd said that he didn't agree to grind the stumps and that it would cost me an additional $500 to grind the stumps.
Todd also charged me to move the large tree trunks to grind the stumps. An additional $100!! I agreed since they needed to be moved to grind the stumps. Todd went and got his truck and began loading the large logs onto his truck. I stopped him and reminded him that I had promised the wood to someone else. I seemed like he was thinking that I wouldn't complain and he would get the wood for himself as well.
There was a small crab apple tree that was not in the scope of work that Todd asked if I wanted it removed as well. We agreed that he would remove it for $100.
I paid Todd as he requested because I had no written quote to refer to. That was my mistake.
The following day I called Todd and told him about the damage to the electrical service on my neighbors building and he said "I'll take care of it". I never heard from him.
I have 2 problems with this job.
1. Todd never provided a written quote for the work and then changed the price once the job was finished. I could have used another service and paid less for the same work.
2. Todd was notified that he had damaged my neighbors property and he ignored his responsibility to fix the damage.
It's really unfortunate that the job went as it did. The issues could all have been avoided with a simple written quote.
I will not recommend using Ritchie Tree Service. read more
