ComplaintsforPfaff Landscaping Inc

• Initial Complaint

  12/02/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired Steve Pfaff July 22 to clean out my pond in a handshake agreement for 15k. He was to place removed dirt on my property and use pipe I supplied. Steve said he would draft an estimate to protect both him and me. I told him then it was originally 9 - 10 ft deep. Employees removed dirt only to the level of the stream flowing through which was created when the dam was knocked out 2 years ago. I complained August 28, 30 and Sept.1 that it was not deep enough and raised concern that it was taking longer and the price would be higher. A friend with pond experience, using a small auger, showed that I had more than 3 ft (auger length) of silt remaining at this point. I thought removing that would have been part of the original estimate. September 5, Steve stopped in for the first time I was there since starting and finally gave me the contract for 15K but told me if I wanted it more than the 2-3 ft deep it was, I would have to pay more. I hadn’t realized I was paying time & materials till then. Continuing, we agreed to 22k for labor and equipment. Questioning the bill on 10/18, Steve raised it $586.06. $500 was for picking up parts which should have been included in labor (9/12 text). A check was given to his employee the same day for closure to a bad deal. Steve and I were not on good terms at job’s end. I was ready to put it all behind me but as the water rose the catch basin was leaking after he had assured me (Sept 12) "It's going be fine". We contacted Steve on October 10, 13 and 24 with no reply. I feel Pfaff Landscaping owes me $790. $500 for labor that should have been included in the 22k and $290 (10/24 email) for hydraulic cement to repair my catch basin and replace a birdhouse that was driven over on Aug 8 by his employee. There were more issues but space is limited. Steve’s lack of response to any of my concerns from the beginning is what bothers me and I would like others to be aware so they aren’t treated the same.

  Business response

  01/16/2024

  I am replying to complaint # ********

  
  In July I met with the *********** and walked over their project.  At that time, we walked all through the pond which was dry.   I told them that I do all projects as time and material.  They told me that they would like to do this for around $15,000.00.  We kept track of time to make this happen and when we were at $13,400.00, they discussed that they would like to take the pond deeper.  We came up with an estimated cost and they agreed on it still running contract as time and material.   They were very concerned on money and cost of project the whole time.  I did everything I could to keep cost down and then they got a friend (pond consultant) involved and it started changing everything we discussed and started prolonging the project.  As my equipment was sitting there, not being used or charged for, waiting for decision to move forward.  I did everything that they asked and tried to save them as much money as I could.  In our text between each other you can read that we did everything that was discussed and agreed upon.  I never received any emails that they claimed they sent.  I never knew about a birdhouse that got run over.  When they sent me a text message about the leak, I sent someone over the next day and looked at it and what needed to be done.  Even though this job was to be done as time and material I agree to pay the $290.00 for the hydraulic cement and bird house.  As for the $500.00, that was used for our low boy/driver for hauling materials to job that was an additional charge and agreed upon.   We will be mailing a check out 1/17/2024 in the amount of $290.00 to **** **********  I hope this will resolve our issues as we try very hard to please our customers. 
  
  Thank You
  
  Steve P****
  Pfaff Landscaping INC
  

  
  

  Customer response

  01/16/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  My pond consultant was brought into the picture because Pfaff Landscaping was trying to tell me that the pond was cleaned out at a depth of 3 ft in places and I wanted a second opinion. He had not responded to my prior  3 complaints saying it was too shallow other than to say it was too shallow. Pfaff's talked me into the catch basin assuring me it would be a quality job. It leaks and the grate plugs up often causing the pond to overflow. I had planned pipes at water level but they needed upsized from what I had. as far as the $500 driver fee. I never approved that and consider it a hidden charge as I was trying to avoid like I stated in the below text.

  Sept 12 text  (Pfaff)    I quoted you $22,000.00 to get this done. You gave me a CHeck for $15,000.00 so far. So what your saying is : you going to buy the catch basin and pipe and I will install that, backfill the dam and level off dirt as long as I can stay under the $22,000.00 for my labor and equipment? Am I correct on that?

  (me)     Yes. Keep your receipts and buy the basin/pipe and I will reimburse you for it that would be easier. I just don't want hidden expenses that are not upfront.

  (Pfaff)   Okay

  I was never informed of an offer to fix the basin leak even if I had to pay for it. There was NO communications. 

  Can I forgo any payment and instead  leave a review to warn others of his lack of communications, poor unwritten estimates, and not leaving the customer happy as he kept promising?

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  Regards,
  **** *********

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩