MINNESOTA GREEN IRRIGATION

I have used this company several times.  This time they persformed my winterization on my irrigation system.  I have also used them to replace a sprinkler pump.  They are very knowledgable and do a very professional job.

I had used Minnesota Green ever since we built our house in 2008.  I really liked Sean and his creative ideas for our irrigation system.  This summer, it became evident that the company has changed dramatically.  In the first instance, in June, I called and left a message to schedule an appointment.  It was for what I thought was a quick fix for a broken sprinkler head (normally under $50).  Later in the week, I was getting ready to take my kids to swimming lessons and some guy was wandering around the yard.  I had to run out the door, but apparently he was Sean's employee, Brent.  I told him where to find the sprinkler head.  I left for our hour long swimming lesson, and was back in under 1.75 hours.  Brent was gone, but apparently, there were more problems than I had foreseen, and I received the bill for a broken sprinkler head plus a faulty diode.  Suddenly, the bill had swelled past $200 and I was charged for 1.75 hours of labor.  I called Sean and said this can't happen again.  I needed to have a scheduled appointment so a) I could be present and b) I could approve any needed fix.  The sprinkler head I had wanted fixed was not necessary for our yard--it was just a garden head and I would have skipped the fix.  The bill and the timing felt "off" to me, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt.
Next, I called and asked for an estimate for installing extensions for our sprinkler head boxes, and for moving one head.  Again, (this time at an appointed time) Brent showed up, and I stupidly mentioned that I wanted to spend around $300.  So, they can up with an estimate for around $300.  When Brent came to install this time, I kept an eye on the clock (it took just under an hour).  He brought another "helper" with him, and I watched them from the window.  For a chunk of the time, the helper fetched stuff out of the truck, or just stood or sat around --probably due to the lack of space in the rock wall where these boxes were going.   Then, I noticed the cable had been cut, because the kids were watching TV and it went out immediately, so I went out to talk to them.  They both acted surprised and the helper did point out where the break in the line was (it was rather glaringly obvious).  But, oh well.  The lack of care and expertise seemed obvious since everything was marked.  They took off and I got my bill for 2 hours of labor (1 hour for each) and parts, right at $275.  I don't particularly think that's a bad number, but I don't think it's an accurate billing.  I also use billable hours, and I would never charge a client for an employee to "observe" someone else.  Also, I would never have an associate who seems less experienced charge at the same rate as a more experienced person.  Something is just wrong here. 
I called Sean and left a message saying we were done.  I said he could call me to talk about it, but that also he could take me off the fall schedule and I would send the bill with a note.  Admittedly, I was late in sending the bill, because I didn't think it was fair, and frankly, I was waiting for Sean to step up, call, and ask why he lost a client of four years.  I called this week.  He had several excuses, including the fact that he had taken on another job this summer and was really busy, and that he had no reason to call me since I was not going to use him and he'd just wait for a note from me as to why (as an owner of the company, don't you want to improve and ask the important questions?).  Also, in his opinion, the bill was fair (yet he wasn't present) because of how long it would hypothetically take him to do the job.  Ultimately, I think his people are inexperienced, and either dishonest or aren't paying attention to how much time they are spending and are just guessing. 
I am sorry to see things have fallen apart with this company.  I really did think for awhile they were fair, reasonably priced and responsive.  Hence, I did not give them any "F" grades.  It just seems that the other job has impacted the quality and care needed for a successful company.  If you go with them, be careful to observe the process.

The system was not completely installed - when inspected a year later for city compliance, an indepedent plumber found that a part was missing. Owner Sean Martin did not return any calls.