My intention was to included photos of our text thread but it will not let me upload 47 photos. If you don't believe what I say below, message me and I will share them with you. SSchultz.be@gmail.com
I met with John from Tree Top in early Feb about removing trees from my property. I wanted trees removed from the front and back yard, with stump grinding, ground leveling, and re-sodding after the trees were gone. This was stated clearly during the in-person meeting and the follow-up text messages.
I received several quotes from other companies. I received a lower quote from another company, but I gave John a chance to meet or beat their price since he was the first quote I received. He was able to match the lowest quote and even offered to plant a replacement Tree in the front yard. So, I chose him. He said the job would take about 4 days and asked for a deposit. I paid the deposit, and told him that I wanted it done right not fast, so if he needed a little more time that was fine. As you can see from the text messages it took weeks to get the trees to start coming down. He kept giving excuses, but again I was patient and let it go. After the tree in the front yard finally came down, at the end of February, he asked for a partial payment because he was "broke", his words. Unfortunately, I did. Do not pay him anything but the deposit until the job is done! Anyway, then I started asking when the sod would be put in the front yard, because my HOA would give me a warning/fines if my yard did not have grass. He said he would be there the following week with sod. He then claimed that only the front yard would be re-sodded, but not the back because it was not part of our original agreement. I directed him to the text thread where it was made clear the backyard needed to be sodded too. He said he misread that part of the message and it would cost more money. I told him that it isn't my fault he did not thoroughly read the text; and I would not be paying more. I expected him to honor our original agreement or I would find someone else to finish the job. He then said he would complete the re-sod in the back but acted like he was doing me a favor.
At the beginning of March, I went out of town for a week. He told me the job would be done while I was gone. I took photos before I left. As you can see from the photos attached, NOTHING WAS DONE. I also got a warning from my HOA. After multiple messages and another week he finally showed up to take down the rest of the trees in the back yard.The stump grinder company he used had to come back a second time to get the roots they missed in the front yard. A small pallet of sod was also dropped off and left on the side of my house for almost a week, before it was put in the yard. It was dry and dead looking but after a lot of watering I was able to get it to come alive.
there was not enough sod to cover the front and back yard. He also had not delivered the new tree.
On the last day he was at my house, he asked to be paid the final amount because, again his words, he was "broke" and couldn't pay for gas or employees. Like a kind, generous fool I agreed to pay him. And with only a handshake agreement that he would return and finish the sod and plant the tree, he left. After he left I found trash he and his employees left in the backyard. Including an apple juice bottle that, when I poured it out to put in my recycling bin, turned out to be urine. I messaged him the same day about the trash but he never responded. Well, neither him nor his employees have ever been back to my yard. I never received the tree or the sod. I have asked several times over the last month or so, for him to finish, but there is always an excuse and a promise, but no follow through.
I will admit that he did remove the trees, but the time, the hassle, and the incomplete work have made it not nearly worth the expense. Beware this man and this company. They may have been good in the past, but it seems those days are behind them.
**I will post an update if the company makes this right.** read more