May 30, 2012, 04:09 PM
CINDYSBK YARD DISASTER
LAST SPRING I HAD THESE FELLOWS STaRT MY 2 TIER WALL IN THE BACK YARD BUT THEY NEVER FINISHED IT.They took off leaving me a muddy mess with an incomplete wall and part of the upper wall is not straight or I think is even safe. I have a nice patio I had put in when I moved here but the rest of the yard is hillside with the muddy mess at the bottom I just want to screem please help!I am retired now so things are tight. What can I do???????????
May 30, 2012, 11:26 PM
GardenSpriteI hope you didn't pay them up front? Did you check them out before they started the work? It sounds like they're scammers, and I doubt you'll see them again, especially if they've already been paid.
First, I would report them to the local police as well as the licensing department of your state which regulates contractors. Your state may or may not regulate landscape contractors, so this may not prove to be a viable option, but it's worth a try. Also report them to the Better Business Bureau. You probably won't get any remedial help from the BBB, but at least you've filed a complaint against these shysters.
Secondly, inquire of your community staff if they offer any assistance, such as for home improvement projects? Sometimes HUD grants are available for various projects, with priority given to safety issues. If the partial wall is a safety hazard, it may qualify for assistance.
Third, I suspect that you're going to have to hire someone to finish the project, but if you do, don't pay them ahead of time and be sure to get references, copies of their corporate or d/b/a papers, and a certificate of insurance coverage. You may have a claim against an insurer if you get stuck with another scammer.
Habitat for Humanity undertakes projects for people in need, but I don't know whether they'd undertake a partially completed landscape project. Still, it's worth an inquiry.
I'm sorry to learn of this situation; unfortunately there are some really unsavory and dishonest people scamming older people.
Good luck. I feel badly that you have had such a bad experience.
Jun 03, 2012, 07:51 AM
joecaptionPost some pictures.
I agree 100% with the other poster.
If no one ever reports them it makes it easer to just do the same thing to someone else.
Are you sure there's not something your not telling us about the job that may have caused them to leave?
Only reason I'm asking is I've had to walk away from a few jobs for differant reasons. I did leave any materials that were paid for, did not owe them any money, and gave a written notice.
EG: I was building a deck that was 36" high, the lady did not want railings, I told her it had to have stairs, seating, or some form of railings if it was that high off the ground. I showed her the code book, she even when down to the code office and they told her the same thing.
We had all 57 post set, joist in place and had started on the decking. During the weekend she decided to cut off all the post level with the joist. Her logic was this is my deck and I'll build it the way I want it.
She had also put me off for 2, weeks for payment for the materials I already had delivered and installed. When she showed up the first words out of her mouth was I do not have the money to pay you, because my husband bought my daughter a new car.
So now I'm out over $2000 for materails and a weeks worth of labor for two people.
Jun 03, 2012, 09:47 AM
mosternazIf they were registered contractors, your state may have a fund to help you. In Arizona, if a registered contractor doesn't finish, there are some funds available to help. Contact the registrar of contractors to see what might be available. You could also sue them in small claims court.