In the beginning of the contracted services they went well, but not long after they started It was a constant battle to ensure the work was being performed. In other words I had to ensure they were doing what I asked them to do which is something I told them I did not want to do but you know how that goes. They had several crew managers that performed lip service but they were usually fired within the first month by the company so I had to constantly communicate with Kristina. The grass mowing was consistent but trimming the trees, shrubs, did not happen until I called the office or emailed Kristina. I had to keep calling Kristina the owner's wife, she was responsive but most of the time what she told me was made up. For example, when I asked that her crew come out and trim the overgrown hedge she explained it would be done during the next service so it was always a week behind. The same thing holds true to the Palm trees, they were suppose to keep them trimmed and a good trimming twice a year but never trimmed them. The weed control never ever happened and beds are not maintained. There contract price was $125.00 per month for a weekly service which runs April 1 through October 31st and November through March 31st and they only come bi-monthly but really don't do anything but mow, blow and go. I began to complain about their service because for the last couple of months I was getting fed up and was getting ready to cancel their service but gave them another chance because Kristina just had another baby and I also knew that the summer months were approaching and wanted my property looking great but after several attempts to communicate with the Crowders I finally got this response below from Kristina. Hello Mr. and Mrs. Birtwell, The crew is scheduled to maintain your property on Wednesday and when the crew arrived this week the sprinklers were running, they knocked on the door to see if someone would turn off the sprinklers and no one came to the door. The crew was unable to maintain the property due to the sprinklers running. We appreciate the business you have provided, but at this time, I think it would be best if we discontinued service. At this time we are making more of a transition to commercial properties, and discontinuing service to residential customers in your area. Please let me know if you have any questions. Have a nice day. Thank you, Kristina Crowder's Landscaping, Inc. [*** Link removed ***] (813) 767-6360 This was my response. Kristina, so you collected our money all winter and did the bare minimums and now that the hot months of summer are here you decided to say goodbye leaving us high and dry without any warning, no letter, not any previous communications or affording us time to find another vendor? How do you explain this to your current or potential accounts? Is this how you dumped the other customers in my area? How are they reacting or did you previously let them know you were dumping them or did you just respond to them after they had called you several times as I did, communicating your non-servicing of their properties? Kristina and Patrick, I’m upset over your decision and the article I am about to write and post on Yelp, Yext, and 32 other social media platforms explaining my dissatisfaction of how “Crowder Landscaping the premiere landscaping company takes advantage of their customers” You people are not fair on what you are doing! When I spoke to you Patrick and hired you I told you what I was looking for, the services I require and you were certainly agreeable and cordial, but now that you have made the decision that you don’t want to service my home any longer because of a company decision of “getting away from residential accounts” and the lame excuse given that “my sprinklers were on”, is certainly a slap in the face for paying you on time and being a great customer. Well, that’s all I must say for now. Once my article is written I will be sure to forward the link. Bill, a very dissatisfied customer! ( see contract below) Crowder’s Landscaping 17902 Ayrshire Blvd. Land O Lakes, Florida 34638 Office: (813) 767-6360 Cell: (813) 527-1647 ===================================== Landscape Management Proposal Property: Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Crowder’s Landscaping is providing the following proposal, for a Landscape Maintenance Program for the 2015-16 seasons. Services are to begin as authorized by the property owner. Services are to continue for a 12 month period. This agreement will automatically renew for an additional 12 months unless cancelled by either party. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE 1. Turf Mowing / Trimming: ¬ All turf areas will be mowed on an average of every seven (7) days during the season from April 1st through October 31st and bi-weekly from November 1st to March 31st (36 mowing’s). During rainy or extended dry periods, the frequency may change. Height of turf is to be determined by species and local conditions during the growing season. Mowing height may be adjusted upon request. All debris will be removed from the turf area prior to mowing. ¬ In conjunction with each mowing, trimming shall be performed around all buildings, structures, and other obstacles within the turf area. 2. Weed Control: ¬ Weed control shall be maintained in all flowerbeds, ornamental mulch beds and tree rings. This may be done either manually or through the use of herbicides, which are not harmful to the plant materials located in the shrub or mulch beds. This shall be done in conjunction with the mowing, or as needed. 3. Edging: ¬ All sidewalks, common area beds, and curbs will be edged weekly to maintain a neat appearance. Special care and attention will be taken to avoid sidewalk damage. 4. Sidewalk Weeds: ¬ All seams and cracks of sidewalks, pool deck, driveways, and curbs will be managed for weeds through chemical or manual control as needed. 5. Pruning: ¬ All shrubs, bushes, and evergreens will be pruned or sheared as needed during the contract period to ensure a professionally maintained appearance at all times. This includes the inside and top faces of the perimeter wall. ¬ All shade trees will be pruned two times during the period. Tree suckers, shoot growth, and tree limbs impeding walkways and parking areas will be pruned as needed up to twelve feet. Moss will also be removed within the twelve foot limit. ¬ Palms: Contractor shall trim all palm trees with a crown lower than twenty feet twice per year. The palm trees shall be trimmed in May, before the hurricane season and in November after the growth season. Trimming shall include removal of all fruit, seedpods, and dead fronds. SODDING 1. The removal of existing, prep, and installation of Palmetto St. Augustine will be billed at a rate of $.85 per foot with a five hundred sq. foot minimum. Anything less than five hundred sq. feet will be quoted separately. MULCHING 1. Top Dress Mulch: Medium Pine bark (Cost per unit $45.00 per yard) LEAF REMOVAL AND PROPERTY CLEAN-UP 1. Leaf Removal: Leaf and Pine needles will be removed throughout the property. 2. Property Clean Up: ¬ Property will be brought up to spec’s within one month of initial contracted date. ¬ All litter will be picked up across entire common property. SEASONAL COLOR 1. Flowers: ¬ All existing flowerbeds will be prepared and flowers will be installed in May, August, November, (weather conditions permitting.) Flowers to be installed on 6-inch centers. (Rate of $2.25 each) Only as authorized by owner. 2. New Flower Beds: ¬ (Bid separate) 3. Flowerbed Care: ¬ All flowerbeds will be weeded and dead blossoms removed bi-weekly to maintain a healthy, vigorous appearance and shall at all times provide the finest quality color planting possible. IRRIGATION: ¬ Contractor will be responsible for damages incurred from his services. All other repairs will be billed at a rate of $75.00 per hour plus parts. EXCLUSIONS: ¬ Contractor shall not be responsible for cleaning after, or removing the debris or results of damage caused by major flooding and hurricanes as part of this Agreement. CANCELLATION: ¬ This contract may be cancelled by either party upon providing 30 day wr