Segale And Sons Landscape And Gardening

As my daughter says now, she should have listened to her initial, gut reaction.  The senior Segale came to hear what we wanted done, and provide the estimate.  From the start, he was rude and disrespectful to her, as if she were merely a trifling female.  But after getting a few other estimates, she decided to go with them anyway because the price was in the middle of the estimates she got and because they purported to have the knowledge and experience to do everything she wanted done:  cement work and some landscaping items in her xeriscape front yard. 

The crew that came to do the cement work seemed to know their business.  The framing was done in good order.  We were puzzled by how the drain was laid out, but figured they were the professionals.  Now, we think that the communication between the estimate giver and the cement crew was not entirely clear and specific.  The cement was poured and looked very good in all areas.

All the landscape items seemed to be completed.  After the trimming and weed removal the front yard looked good.  Then issues started to come up.

The end of the drain under the cement was simply left open into the yard, immediately at the end of the cement.  We really had expected it to be eased a little further past the cement, at an angle, since the gravel of the yard would easily conceal the extension.  When we called to voice our concerns, one of the Segales did come out and work to make that change so that it was satisfactory.  Because of the slope of the yard, however, we personally had to bring in more gravel and work to level the yard so that there was not a "drop" from the level of the cement to the ground next to it.  They never considered or worried about that.

We carefully let the cement dry and cure.  Nothing on it for more than 25 days.  Before a month had past, we did get a long crack in the back patio area.  We called and inquired about this, and supposedly they had someone from the cement crew look at it and decided it was not their responsibility----just a hairline crack, which we will now have to live with in our brand new patio.

We also had problems with the landscaping.  One plant that was contractually supposed to be a certain variety, turned out to be something else.  The response when notified of our dissatisfaction was a flippant "I made the decision to plant this instead."  We insisted that they put in the correct plant.  Another plant that was transplanted and added to the drip system obviously was NOT getting water and nearly died.  The new tree that was planted died also, even after they had inspected the drip system to make sure it was getting the proper amount of water.  Neither of these issues with plants was deemed by Segale to be their responsibility.

Though they talk a good game, the proof of their excellence is in the outcome----which was not satisfactory.  It was extremely difficult to deal with the elder Segale, which we did explain to one of the other company owners.  His attitude is far from professional, even to the point of being demeaning to someone who is merely asking questions in order to understand what the process will be, what materials will be used, time frame for work, etc.  As a result of the poor quality of their work, we are having to pay another company to thoroughly inspect the entire irrigation drip system to make sure no other loss occurs as a consequence of Segale's mishandling of the project. 

I'd never use this company with how he treated me wife over his lack of professionalism and courtesy in her attempts to schedule a meeting with the owner. I work long days and crazy hours, so my wife was working to get landscaping quotes to finish a large part of our back yard, a quarter acre in need of everything, Segale made his first appointment with my wife for a Monday. After a no call-no show, and my wife leaving a message, he called the next day to say his crew had not completed a job which he had to finish himself on Monday. He also said he doesn't really make appointments on Mondays as they're work days. So my wife scheduled for that Thursday. He didn't show again. When she called to ask why, he said 'I was there on Wednesday waiting for an hour.' My wife said that the meeting was for Thursday. After that the conversation went downhill where the phrases used were from Segale that "I looked at your backyard and there's nothing there so I don't know what we'd do." and "I have plenty of business so I don't really need to deal with a client who's not able to keep a meeting." Excuse me? You can't keep a meeting? You get the wrong day. Don't call to find out why someone isn't there to meet you when she said she would. Then insult what we have, considering there is nothing in our backyard. Hence the landscaping need. Guess Segale has plenty of work to keep him in business, but how I weep for those clients. Customer service is a dying art, I believe.

I had considered doing it myself, but it was clear that they had the right equipment and processes (weed killer, weed barrier, DG stomper, seal coat).  This is a family business (father and two sons worked my project) and they clearly were engaged in doing the job right.

I had used them a couple years ago and Would NOT recommend them for ANY landscaping services.  The front tree I wanted trimmed was cut way too much and took well over a year to recover. The two sprinklers I wanted installed were not done.  I had to call and complain and from that only one was installed and in the wrong location.  I wanted some old grass removed and new sod put in it's place.  In several areas they had laid the new sod right over the old grass hoping I wouldn't catch it. Well I did catch it and once AGAIN called to have it done correctly.  Their shoddy work was eventually corrected to a minimum standard.
Unfortunately the work was being done while I was at work and my teenage son was at home.  I had given my son a check to give to them when the work was complete which he did.  Without my inspection (my fault completely) they were paid and gone!   

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Went well in the beginning.  In more recent years, service went downhill.  When we complained - Mr. Segale called with a character assault and abruptly quit without discussion or notice.  I'd never use them again and wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

Placed calls to only phone number of two listed that worked and left messages for a request for quote on a landscaping project. No call back, no response. In this economy with small businesses struggling, you would think they would have some staff to return a sales/project lead.

Both yard turned out exactly as we had wanted. The work was performed in a timely manner and was of high quality. Their weekly service is always on time and looks very good.