Design Tree Maintenance, Inc

The man who came out to assess our situation was extremely professional and knowledgeable. He had good education as an arborist and I trusted him. He then scheduled a time for a technician to come out and do the work. The technician wasn't as knowledgeable as the arborist, but had been trained to do a specific job, and nothing else. Unfortunatley, one of our trees (a vitex) seemed to have been burned by the fertilizer treatment, and had droopy dull leaves all spring and summer. It never flowered as it usually does, either, and now in winter 8 months later, it still looks dull and droopy. I did not notice any difference in the health of the other two trees that were treated, so I'm not sure I would incur this expense again.

The work as usual was good but was much more expensive than prior use of this company.

At the initial appointment, Nick, the arborist, inspected my yard and made suggestions for improvement for the citrus tree, and the shrubs. After getting the price for what was suggested, I decided to have only the necessary repair done-the valve replacement. Leo came out about two weeks later and did the job which took about two hours. I'm just worry I missed their All-Organic Deep Root Fertilizer Package--another Big Deal because Nick had told me my citrus tree needed it.

Star to finish this service provided was done in a professional and courteous manner. Beginning with the visit from the arborist to review the tree fertilizing--an Angie's List Big Deal--his knowledge about the trees was very helpful. At my request he gave me a bid for tree trimming and both jobs were completed to my satisfaction.

I emailed Design Tree Maintenance on Sunday evening and received a telephone call early Monday morning. I was impressed with their prompt response. The company representative confirmed that I was an Angie List customer, was very pleasant, took my information, and scheduled the appointment. She made a great first impression for this company. On the scheduled date, Nick arrived later than the specified time. He was totally unaware that I was an Angie List customer and did not know that his company was even advertising specials on Angie's list. It was somewhat frustrating to have to explain this several times and even print a copy of the advertisement for him. Too much discussion for something that should have been known before arriving at our home. After resolving the initial confusion described above, Nick did a great job assessing our trees and providing recommendations for water, fertilizing, and pruning. He was professional, courteous, and helpful. The crew came to the house on Friday and did a good job fertilizing the trees.

I used an Angie's List big deal, and it was a great value. While I wasn't home while the service was being performed, my wife said it went well, and the trees look great. The guys did a great job cleaning up afterward, and the trees look great. I would definitely consider using Design Tree Maintenance again in the future.

Had a problem with one of the new valves sticking open. They replaced it and worked with me on putting in some new plants to compensate me for my high water bill. Leo has been excellent to deal with. He's come back several times to make adjustments and to check on other problems.

They did well. The price was a little steep for the hours there.

They gave me a very thorough estimate and detailed review of what they would do. When it came time to do the work they were thorough and it was more complicated then he first expected. The tech did a good job. I had a minor problem with a leak on two pop up sprinklers had a small leak, after a few days I called them to notify of the issue. They came back and made necessary adjustments.

Terrible. The irrigation never got fixed and they wouldn't return my phone calls.

This company did a terrible job. They left without completing the work, but took my money and told me they were finished. I woke up the next morning to a large flooded area from the piping not installed correctly. The sprinkler system did not function properly because they did not change the heads as they stated were done. The removed the sprinkler from a cactus stating it would get enough water from the grass. Unfortunately that cactus died and I had to have it removed. This company was awful and I would not recommend them to anyone. They lied, tried to cheat me out of my money, killed one of my trees, and the work quality was poor.

They were very knowledgeable about the kinds of bushes that would survive in our entryway area. There plants were of very good quality and we're very happy with the results.

Nick was early for the appointment, called and I gave him a code to enter through the home as it was vacant. When I arrived, Nick was basically done with EVERYTHING I asked for and more. He took his time and explained all 4 zones to me since this was a new purchase, wrote in detail for us on what timers did what, when and why to change the timers, set all timers. He was dresses super Professionally and being a Certified Aborist (was not expecting that), he had amazing knowledge and was thorough. I was waiting for the upsell and so forth but it never came! I got what I paid for and more. Maybe Nick is the Owner as he cared about this little appointment and it showed in his approach and attitude. I would use this company again without hesitation although Nick set everything up so well and with his detailed, written directions, we can do it ourselves!

Everything went fine with this work. Scheduled the assessment over the phone, they left me an estimate and then scheduled the work. They came, performed the work, and cleaned up. Once I got home I inspected the work and then called to make the final payment.

I rarely take the time to write a review, but this company should not be on Angie's List or anyone's list for that matter. I initially used Design Tree to trim my palm trees for my commercial building. They are very expensive and the work was poor. The crew spread out on the front of my building and laid down most of the job. The overall clean-up was very sloppy. I complained and they gave me a discount on my bill and I agreed to give them a second chance. I needed work on my irrigation system at my office building and residence. They did an onsite inspection at both locations and provided an estimate. Once again the estimate was ridiculous in price and I chose to utilize them for only irrigation services. The owner, Bob came to do the work and it was a classic bait n' switch issue. The work he decided to do was not the work that was discussed or priced with the estimator. Second, in terms of irrigation repair he is not qualified so he couldn't finish the job. I spent another $500 fixing and completing the work that was left unfinished. Design Tree tries to look professional with their uniforms and sales process, but based on my experience they appear to be having financial problems and are overcharging for very mediocre to poor work and utilizing predatory sales practices. Sorry Angie!

I don't do surveys, etc. and this is more extensive than what I usually do... It was a good job

Design Tree Maintenance Inc. thinks first impressions count. Nick showed up in a gleaming, white Chevy pickup on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Shoes shined, pressed pants and shirt, with a certified arborist patch on his right shoulder. My wife told Nick that, if at all possible, she wanted to keep the tree, but he pointed out extensive weeping from previously cut limbs, and the mass of large limbs growing at the crown of the tree. He cited a city classification that public safety would require prompt removal if the mesquite were on public grounds. So, what started as a $500 special for $250 turned into a $2500 major project. Nick earned his stripes, but so did the take-down crew who arrived the following week, particularly the guy who climbed up into the canopy to start removing limbs from the inside, working outward. The cleanup crew came out the next day. Constantino did an excellent, accurate job of slicing parallel sections out of the trunk.

Crew arrived on time, proceeded to do their work as planned. Inquired about the placing of the citrus trees. Replaced a damaged irrigation valve, climbed trees to do trimming, while another worker carried limbs to the front for chopping and blowing into their truck. All went as planned. A followup visit was made a few days later to check the job and answer some questions about the irrigation system. We had mesquite, palo verde, and a sisso tree that was overgrown and limbs were resting on the tile roof threatening to do damage. We are glad to have the job done so efficiently and professionally.

We did not use this company BUT only because we were referred to a different company that a family member had just used and highly recommended. Design Tree was prompt and professional during the estimate and we will keep their name for future reference.

Very informative. Very polite and knowledgeable. Seems like would be quality work and done in a timely manner. At this time more costly than I am prepared to spend for some of the areas discussed. Was a little disappointed that sprinkler tune up only consisted of discussion and timer change. However, since all were working, perhaps that was it and no additional coverage was needed. Overall impression very good.

After being quoted $900 to clean the crown, elevate to 15', reduce the sides to clear the house and balance 2 Palo Brea trees, Nick (the Arborist) and I had a coversation. During this conversation Nick stated the company was having the estimators quote high as the Big Deal pricing did not allow them to make enough profit. He also agreed to my statement that the $250 Big Deal was really only worth $250, not the $500 as advertised. Nick has blamed a new marketing person, another estimator, and even Angies List for agreeing to an advertising that was causing him/the company to charge the upper end of the industry scale for work. This company, regardless as to who made the advertising decision, is inflating their prices to make a Big Deal worthless or possibly worse (costing you more if you did not have a coupon with regular pricing. After Nick left, I called Angies List to determine if a refund was possible and to file a complaint. While speaking to a customer assistance person Nick called on my other phone. I put Nick on speaker phone allowing the Angies representative to listen to the conversation. Nick was now stating he was also frustrated with how the Big Deal was being handled and it was another estimator who created the discount with Angies List, so he wanted to provide a new proposal for the same work. This quote would be without any coupon being used and he stated it would be less than his normal quote because of the coupon situation. The new quote is $400, again with no coupon being used. Give credit where credit is due - Nick did admit he was estimating high because of the coupon and the coupon was truly only worth $250; he could have lied. Overview: 1)They are inflating prices to make up the discount offered by them and possibly more than the discount is being added back for the inflated price. 2) It is everyone elses fault that this discount was offered - estimator, marketing, even Angies List. 3) Not one management person was involved in contracting for the discount advertisement. 4) It was less than 15 minutes after Nick withdrew his oral proposal and left my homes that he called and could suddenly reduce the cost to $400...a $500 REDUCTION, over 50% of the original proposal. I can find no reason to trust either the company. I will hire a company that is trustworthy, even if it costs more than $400.

Their price was about double what I had got from others. Part of their deal was to go check my sprinkler system. He did check the sprinkler system throughout the house. It was my understanding that in checking the system that they would adjust the heads. He did make a few adjustments in the font and a few adjustments in the back, but he left the majority of the sprinkler heads in the back for me to adjust. I was disappointed in that. They communicated well, they called before and afterwards. He had a company uniform on. He was dressed professionally and spoke well.

Design Tree Maintenance (DTM) was hired to prune and deep fertilize several trees on my property, with specific instructions given regarding the pruning of one tree in particular. I cannot recommend Design Tree Maintenance for any service. I regret not only the loss of money and the altered functionality and aesthetics of this tree, but the attitude of the owner and his refusal to work out a reasonable solution to the situation resulting from poor workmanship and his employees' failure to abide by the contract and work agreed upon. (My experience will be further detailed below.) Do not be misled, as I was, by this company's sales ads and website: ?Do not expect that a certified arborist will be on site at any time to oversee the job or, at minimum, inspect the project upon completion. ?After a complaint has been made, do not expect that a certified arborist will then inspect and evaluate the work/damage. ?Do not expect full cleanup on completion of the job. ?You cannot rely on the owner, Mr. Kett, to deliver on his commitment to "uphold our promise to quality, service, and customer satisfaction," (in accordance with his "mission statement"), nor to evidence "believing in high ethical standards." ?When verifying the Arizona Registrar of Contractors license numbers listed, do not be fooled by the implication that the license, bond, or recovery fund cover any aspect of tree pruning/tree service (this company's stated primary business); these licenses only cover landscaping/irrigation. My primary complaint was regarding a large tree that had been planted 9 years ago, specifically as a screen for privacy, to block illumination of a jacuzzi/patio area by the neighbor's flood lights and to enhance the view from windows/patio. I discussed in detail with the certified arborist that no lower limbs of this tree were to be removed, in order to retain its intended function/aesthetic value, and he assured me that he had itemized the work order to clearly communicate this. (Upon subsequently reviewing the specifications of the agreement while pursuing other avenues for resolution, it was noted that incorrect terminology was used on the invoice that is not consistent with current industry standards, according to the TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association) and the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture, the board that certifies arborists and requires adherence to set standards). At the start of the job, the crew leader and I completed a literal hands-on-each-branch confirmation of the work order and my specifications that none of the lower branches would be removed. (I later learned that it is common practice by other companies to actually place ties/flags on branches to clearly indicate those that are not to be removed.) The end result: Ten of the lower branches, as large as 2 3/4" diameter, were removed, permanently altering the functionality and aesthetics of the tree. (Ironically, two other branches that were specifically directed to be removed to prevent potential damage to the tree, were left untouched. Their justification was that, "Since we cut off the other branches, we left those so that the leaves at the ends could hang down and help with your privacy.") Additionally, I had to pick up used food containers and fill two city trash containers with large branch tips and branches so long they had to be cut up before bagging and disposal. (These were not the typical small twigs one could expect to rake up after tree pruning.) In attempting to resolve the violations of the first phase of the contract and to limit further damage/issues, the office accountant and the field superintendent both agreed to put a stop on the second phase of the contract, without a cancellation fee. My only contact with an arborist (other than, finally, the owner) was on site the week before the job start date to make his assessment, sign the agreement and collect a deposit, and then (by phone) not until a week after the job and my numerous attempts to seek resolution. According to both the ISA and the Arizona Community Tree Council, "...a certified arborist or, at minimum, a certified tree worker will oversee the job." (As per the owner of Design Tree Maintenance, none of their employees are certified tree workers.) I was told by three employees and the owner that "an arborist doesn't go on site or inspect the job," seeming to contradict the mission statement of Design Tree Maintenance that they "...educate and train our arborists to diagnose, treat, PRUNE and maintain your trees while exercising the highest standard of safety to PERFORM the necessary work," and that, "Arborists will know the proper and scientific way to PRUNE your tree...." After my complaint on site and by phone, the "Field Superintendent" who came out to inspect the work informed me that he was not a certified arborist or tree worker, but that his "specialty is safety," and that he is, therefore, not truly qualified to evaluate the work done nor assess the damage. (Be prepared to reschedule after waiting their requisite 4 hour window for an appointment, only to have the superintendent be a "no show" and not call until the following day to say, "I forgot.") After numerous phone calls and contacts with various employees, and leaving phone messages that were not returned by the owner, I was finally able to speak with Mr. Kett after being given his personal cell phone number. He said, "Let me enlighten you on something. It was a miscommunication, that's all. You're not going to get any of your money back." (A deposit was required at the time the contract was initiated, essentially ammounting to the full cost of the first phase of the work.) He eventually agreed to inspect the work himself. A week later and after several more calls to him, he arrived at my property. Even before entering the backyard and initially refusing to fully walk around the tree to see all the areas where lower branches had been removed, he emphatically stated, "I'm not going to give you any of your money back. It was just a miscommunication. I guess [the crew leader] didn't tell the guy who cut the tree." At that time, he was insistent on cutting off the two branches that I had originally specified be removed, but I refused to allow any further work be done until we could reach a resolution. He abruptly turned his back on me and left the property, saying, over his shoulder, "I'm still not going to give you any of your money back." In my dealings with Mr. Kett by phone and in person (with additional witnesses), his attitude and statements were rude, offensive and antagonistic--in general, unprofessional-- to the extent that I felt it advisable to ensure that somebody else would be present at the time he would be on my property to view my concerns. (While his employees were generally agreeable to work with, much time and energy were wasted as each one I was put in contact with told me they were unable to make any adjustments regarding compensation, that only the owner could do so.) I subsequently learned that he also made false statements, which could be construed as slanderous against me personally, that portrayed behavior that is attestably contrary to my character and integrity. His intimidating conduct is, in part, why I have hesitated in filing this complaint even as a matter of principle. The final analysis: Design Tree Maintenance performed unauthorized tree cutting, permanently altering a tree, and, after subsequent contact and being allowed ample time to respond, DTM/Mr. Kett, is yet unwilling to offer equitable resolution. So much for their motto, "We'll go out on a limb for you."

I had a scheduling confusion, but they were prompt after solving this mishap. I would use them again.

After delayed appointment everything was fine and they fixed my sprinklers.