Landscaper Damaged Our Lawn. WWYD? - UPDATE

[mickeyboat]

A little OT here, but wanted to share a situation that happened to our good friends. They live out in the country and there had been a one-vehicle rollover close to their driveway. One occupant of the vehicle walked to the house, of which the owners were away, and went into the house and called 911. Our friends were not upset about him coming in, but what he left behind was blood all over their newly remodeled kitchen... blood on the floor, blood in the sink, blood on the cupboards... and not a note to boot from any law enforcement officer. How would you like to walk into your house and find that?

Back on topic... I would agree with a PP who said to send a letter clarifying that a neighbor did in fact see the truck parked on the lawn, thank him for fixing the ruts that were left due to this incident, and to leave it at that. Of course I would never be able to leave it that, I would have to stew, and stew, and stew...

Ewwww. I would think the car insurance company would pay to have that cleaned up.

I spoke with DH this afternoon, and I think we are just going to be the bigger people and let it go. This landscaper is a big jerk, and even a bigger fool.

We live in a small town, DH knows everyone and word travels fast. DH is also a contractor (carpentry) so he knows lots of people doing lots of types of renovations. He gets asked for referrals for landscapers all the time, and he will be sure to steer everyone clear from these people.

Believe me, though. I am still stewing.

 

[happygirl]

Is it possible that that neighbor was mistaken? If he took the time to measure the tires. Maybe it wasn;t him

 

[mickeyboat]

Is it possible that that neighbor was mistaken? If he took the time to measure the tires. Maybe it wasn;t him

No, I don't think the neighbor was mistaken. I really find it hard to believe anyone else would have driven on to my lawn in this fashion, coincidentally the same day the landscaper was loading his equipment just across the street.

Also, the landscaper didn't measure the tires on all of the vehicles he had at the site, just the one that happened not to match. He wasn't at the site when it happened, his crew was. He just refused to admit his crew made a mistake.

 

[polineedyan]

Op, I would agree with that. Meaning, sure, the wheelbase didnt match the vehicle he chose to measure. Im sure he has others. Glad you got it repaired, which imo is an admission of guilt. I am a former landscaper, and if I knew for a fact I wasnt at fault, there's no way Id go on your lawn to repair anything. Sure they did it.
Chances are even greater that the owner was not there at the time. Chances are that a younger, less experienced individual parked on the grass and is lying his rear off to his boss to save his own hide.
I would let this one go. Youre probably right that you could do better work than they..especially if theyre miffed..I would, however, call BBB and make a statement. I would also tell everyone in the neighborhood what happened. Landscapers rely on referral business, especially in neighborhoods. (less travel)..Not that Im encouraging you to ruin him, but at the same time, if this is his attitude, he's certainly not concerned with people..just money.
If I viewed you as a potential customer, and i have done this, I would have been on the phone to YOU the minute I was aware of the situation. I would have also offered to do free work for you that day to make up for it.
Suppose something had come up missing at your home? Suppose they put a rock thru your front window? How would you expect them to act? Pretty apologetically. Im glad you got it 'fixed..' I wouldnt stress over it anymore though..