MENDOCINO HOME & GARDEN

Description of Work: We recently bought an acre which had been neglected for years. There was a fence running through the middle that was covered with ivy about 15 feet thick and at least 20 feet tall which we wanted to take out. Our agreement was they would take out the fence and level that area for our garden. There was a huge stump that was to be removed. The rest of the property was to be cleared of ivy, Blackberry and any overgrown or dead trees. Debris removed, firewood stacked (which they actually took away saying it was rotten), the entire property weed whacked, making it so that we could easily maintain with just a mower. And all taken to the dump or put in a burn pile for later burning. We also had appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove top, oven and refrigerator) to be hauled off and recycled. Which they did. They didn't start until a week after the agreed start time. They didn't show up until 11 a.m. (each day). They did work until 5. The boss came by only when a progress payment was needed. The fence got pulled down and dragged to an area too close to the house for burning. They did get the stump out, but would only move it out of the way. It started fine with the exception of the late arrivals, but we were in no hurry and figured they would work as long as it took. The workers were fine. There was a lot of brush and branches. We agreed to rent a chipper as there was so much brush. At one point the boss canceled the chipper (he claimed that we had refused to pay for it, not so.) and we had to talk him back into it. The fence had come down, but they couldn't get it to the ground, stubborn old stumps and thick trunks from the ivy were left. We were told that only a backhoe would work, but they were unwilling to rent a backhoe. After 2 weeks of half days they packed up and left saying it was complete. What they left were huge piles of brush with old fencing, they had merely cut back the ivy and Blackberries, which will begin to grow again as soon as the rain starts. They hid a garbage can full of debris in the burn pile which is too big for safety. We now have to hire a guy with a backhoe to finish what they started. He will complete their job and haul it all away to a safe place to burn it.