What Would You Do? (gardener-related)

[minniecarousel]

Let me start off by saying that I am very grateful that we can afford a gardener. My DH works hard and hates yard work. It is something that we feel comfortable spending money on. That said, we have hired a new gardener (starts next Friday) and I'm not sure how to word a letter firing the old gardener. I never knew what day he would show up (was supposed to be every Thursday) He's only been "mowing & blowing" lately - no trimming has been done in at least the past month. This is the same guy the next-door neighbors use. They've been very upset with the guy (they have a more elaborate backyard than we do). So the next-door neighbors found a new gardener and since we had talked about how unhappy we were with the guy, offered the info on the new guy. So we have hired the new guy (for more $$ - I think ya get what ya pay for). I left a message on the old guy's answering machine on Friday afternoon, right after hiring the new guy. I had left the June check under our doormat on Thursday, and even though they didn't do any work, someone picked up the check. So the old guy shows up late Saturday afternoon when we weren't home to mow. So he obviously didn't get my message. I called his number again just now to get his mailing address and someone answered. I identified myself & said I needed his address to mail a final check. He gave me the info and now I'm typing up a letter. I don't want to go into a lot of detail with the guy, but do I just pay him 1/4 of his month's fee for mowing once for the month of July? Do I pay him more - like severence pay? He worked for us for about 2-3 years. (If ya can't tell - I hate firing people!!)

 

[PrincessKitty1]

It's an uncomfortable spot to be in...DH barters services with a handyman who does a lousy job and we can't stop because the poor guy has been very sick and we feel so bad for him!

I would write just a couple of sentences along the lines of, "Thank you for keeping our yard looking great for two years. We will no longer need your gardening service. I am enclosing an extra week of pay in appreciation for the work you've done in the past." You absolutely DON'T need to give him severance pay, but if it will assuage your guilt, go for it.

 

[lclark0621]

I NEVER paid a gardener severence pay when we fired them. Over the years we have had a couple of them & when their work was not up to par, we found someone new.

We would call & leave a simple messages "This is Lynn <Lastname> at <street address>. We will no longer be using your services."

Short & sweet & to the point.

By sending a letter, I would do it the same way. Make sure to include your full name & address, so he knows who you are. I would just say the same thing I say in messages. "We will no longer be using/requiring your services."