Grounds Scapes Inc

Service Provider Response

I would like to first say that we have been in business for twenty serren years and service 1200 customers annually. Usually a complaint or problem is caused by a lack of communication between contractor and customer. This holds true between the members and Grounds Scapes. We were contacted to renovate the member's rear lawn.(which was in poor shape,ground stumps etc.) Before doing so we performed a sprinkler audit on their sprinkler system and advised some head relocating. Only one head was allowed to be moved. Member said "she would water the dry areas by hand." Hydro seeding breaks the protective coating on the seed and makes it germinate almost immediately. If not watered properly the seed will die. Member's wife was given a shict care schedule to follow : l. Water immediate after we hydro seed the disturbed areas. 2.Water three times per day daily for a short period just enough to wet the top 1" of soil for three weeks 3. Water once a day daily after three weeks for two weeks 4. Maintain a 4" grass height and cut no more than l/3 grass height at each mowing 5. Water twice a week through the Summer running as long as needed to maintain growth and color After hydro seeding, two days later, the grass had not been watered and member contacted me. He was having difficulties starting the sprinkler system. I helped him get the system running over the phone. I visited the property weekly throughout the process. The areas not covered by the sprinkler remained dry and the seed was slow to come in. On the third week we stopped by and re-hydro seeded the upper area near the garage that was not being watered correctly. On the fourth week the grass was a foot tall and we contacted member's wife to mow grass and cut back the watering. Their maintenance man contacted me a week later,and "stated that the lawn was so wet they couldn't mow. " The members had not cut the sprinklers back and the ground was swampy. Two weeks later the grass was dry and member called with concerns about the grass stand diminishing. I told him "due to the hot weather approaching we would aerate and seed these areas free of charge in the Fall." He said "this was ok." Two days later, I received a call from member. He said" He was cancelling all services with Grounds Scapes and getting another company." We all know that one can sow a seed or plant a plant. But, it takes watering and nurturing to have the plant grow and mature. We prepared the seed bed properly, hydro seeded, fertilized,limed,mulched and tacked the seed. It just lacked the proper attention of our schedule. The members did not allow us to perforrn the Fall seeding as promised. Grounds Scapes operates on the motto" perform services and treat customers as you would like them done unto you". That being said, I had three other companies come by and look at the member's lawn . They gave quotes for Fall aeration ,seeding and one application for weed control. The most expensive quote was for $500.00. Therefore Grounds Scapes has sent payment to the members in the amount of $500.00 for this Fall service. The lesson to leam from all of this; is to communicate with your contractor and follow the directions they give for care! Thanks so much Jim Humphrey