What is it with landscapers and following directions?

We are still on a search for a good landscaper that follows instructions. Two of our neighbors use these guys so we got a quote for a fall cleanup + gutters. We didn't want our lawn mowed because we have Zoysia grass in the front yard that goes dormant in winter. We keep it 3" long to keep weeds down and mulch the lawn clippings to keep it healthy. So pretty much, I don't want them messing with it.

They come on Sunday and we keep peeking out the windows to see how they're doing and at one point, I see them mowing my lawn! And removing the clippings. DH confirmed, YES he told them he does NOT want the lawn mowed. Great. It's not like we could stop them in the middle. They cut it SHORT too.

Five minutes later, DH says - do you want them to cut your flowers? I said WHAT?! I look out and they've cut three of my daylilies to the ground and are working on a fourth.

This time, I go out there and say to him NO TRIMMING. I don't want any flowers or shrubs trimmed. Blow the yard free of leaves, clean the gutters. That's it.

The guy says, "Why? Why don't you want them trimmed?" Funny, I don't recall asking for your advice. How about they're my plants and I don't want you to cut them to the ground right before winter? That they are planted very high in the ground, that corner has no shelter from the wind, and I like to keep mulch on it? And that when spring comes, I plan on composting all the dead material? Or how about that it's just none of your business?

I know they will survive, I just like to do things my way and I feel like if I'm hiring you and tell you to do two things, you might want to talk to me about doing anything else before you do it. And what do you know, we had a frost and temps below 32 this morning. Wonderful.

And something else I didn't anticipate... All the pine needles that I harvested from other locations by hand throughout the summer are now gone. Their leaf blowers were so powerful, they blew the leaves and everything else away.

You know what they say... if you want it done right...

Message edited 12/7/2009 12:07:29 PM.

Re: What is it with landscapers and following directions?

I'm shocked that they did all that extra stuff even though you only paid for the two things. That is nice of them even though it isn't what you wanted (I know you aren't complaining about it

Re: What is it with landscapers and following directions?

Oh we paid for it all. It would have been less if they had done just what we asked in the first place. Which is probably the point; to make more money.

Re: What is it with landscapers and following directions?

we have such issues with our landscapers following instructions that we are no longer using them.. and they were extremely simple... put garbage by the fence on the street because the town fined us and do not "weed" or use weed killer in my gardens since they killed three years of crops... they never figured it out

Re: What is it with landscapers and following directions?

Just saw you update. That is a disgrace that they did that then! I would really be fuming and would NOT pay the whole price.