Project Nightmare: Not All Landscapers are Good

Elinor Chase paid $7,700 for a backyard landscape project, and this is all she has to show.Elinor Chase paid $7,700 for a backyard landscape project, and this is all she has to show.

A major issue landscapers have with clients is getting their payment on time.

But what about the flip side of that? What if you have a client giving you the full amount up front, but you don’t finish the project?

That’s the problem one Jacksonville, Florida, homeowner had with her landscaper, according to First Coast News.

The landscaper responded to a local news station saying he would complete her yard project in the next 30 days.The landscaper responded to a local news station saying he would complete her yard project in the next 30 days.

Recently retired, Elinor Chase hired Robert McCormick to renovate her backyard. She said she signed a contract, paid him $7,700 and he brought in dirt and fence panels. And that’s it.

He hasn’t actually done anything with her backyard and started avoiding her calls. Chase was surprised because his website had good reviews, and the business had a good BBB rating.

So after Chase filed complaints with the state, the landscaper said he would finish the project in 30 days.

Just like it’s important for landscapers to create contracts that help guarantee customers will pay for their services, the pros also need to be held responsible.

“Landscapers” like this one are the reason many consumers are wary about paying the big bucks for a nice project.

To build trust with potential clients, try these four things:

1. Show them any certifications or licenses.
2. Have references on file they can talk to or read reviews from.
3. Create and update a professional website.
4. Post customer reviews on Facebook, along with photos from finished projects.
5. Return phone calls or emails within 24 hours. Trust me: This goes a long way.

 

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