Urbanscape

"We performed tree work for the member at 933 Ramsey Street. On November 26, 2011 we serviced two unoccupied units, one at 933 Ramsey street in Wilkinsburg, and another at 2113 South Braddock Avenue in Swissvale. Both units remain unoccupied. The following is a description of services included on his invoice for services rendered at 933 Ramsey Street: [Collected and disposed; pedestrian debris, leaves and bramble. Removed tree limbs as noted during walk through, disposed of same. Collected tires (5), disposed of same.] We regularly trim and reduce ornamental trees and shrubs, and we have expanded our capacity for removals this year. In addition, I hired a construction manager and we are now performing and accepting landscape installation work including walls, decks and other outdoor improvements. We have provided these services for commercial clients increasingly over the past two years. Subsequently, I reduced our exposure on Angie's list to avoid straining our small staff. I ramped up the hiring, got the necessary skill sets in house, and we are now fully commited to providing tree work and landscape construction to our residential customers in like fashion. Again, we scaled back the mowing and trimming, but we do have space in the schedule for tree work and landscape installations."

"In 2010-2011 we experienced a marked increase in customer requests for landscape renovations, tree removals and tree reductions. Restoring the curb appeal of overgrown sites with damaged landscape structures has become somewhat of our niche. We continue to provide grounds maintenance and snow removal services to our commercial accounts. We still perform residential clean ups, --including lawn, bed, shrub and tree work. We are especially available for tree removals and reductions. But we are not presently taking on recurring mowing and trimming accounts, or monthly shrub work. It was a painful decision, but I decided to cut back on the mowing and trimming, and increase the work that both extends our season, and improves our chances of remaining viable. As for this particular Angie's List member, by 2011 we were limiting our basic mowing and trimming services to Allegheny East. I traveled to Carnegie to restore the property to a condition that made it easier for this member to maintain it. The size and cost of the job permitted this. We enjoy a great deal of repeat business from existing customers. I thank this member for expressing this sentiment, and I regret that we are no longer able to provide the service to which he had become accustomed."

"We do more than maintenance work, --and we service commercial as well as residential accounts. Renovating overgrown landscapes has become somewhat of a niche for us. This includes tree removals and reductions, as well as repairs to existing landscape structures such as retaining walls and fencing. Customer requests for these services increased dramatically in 2010-2011. We still perform residential clean ups that include lawn, bed, shrub and tree work. We are especially available for tree removals and reductions. But we are not presently taking on recurring mowing and trimming accounts, or monthly shrub work. It was a painful decision, but I decided to cut back on the mowing and trimming, and increase the work that both extends our season, and improves our chances of remaining viable. Likewise, we perform snow removal for commercial accounts, and we are fully booked for the coming season. I do offer my sincere apologies to those customers for whom we can no longer offer basic mowing and trimming service. As an aside, your consistently prompt payment makes it much easier for us to keep boots on the ground and hands working in the field."

"June 2010? We serviced this property on May 12, 2009! More than 2 1/2 years ago. We pulled a Holly bush, and cut back the pyrocantha where and how the customer instructed. We charged $120, the member was on hand during the process, we were payed promptly, and received only compliments. Spoke with the member this evening, and she acknowledged we were there 2 1/2 years ago, not this year. What's going on?"

"I'm not sure what to make of your report. We showed up at the appointed time, we performed and documented the work as agreed, we received an A grade for price and quality, but a C grade for responsiveness and punctuality? You disputed a mowing visit. I provided the service date, the service time, and supporting details provided by the employee that serviced your home that day. Subsequently, you acknowledged seeing the truck, trailer and employee on the day in question. I promptly responded to each call and email that I received from you. I made myself available, I gave you the best advice, and the best price that I could afford, yet had difficulty collecting payment. With a new customer, that's not a good sign. I felt that you could find a company that represented a better fit for your needs, --and said so. Is that what the mixed review is about?"

"I'm glad that you were pleased with the quality of the work that we performed. Weather aside, requests for proof of insurance will delay scheduling of service. Our insurance provider forwards certificates of insurance directly to the requesting party. We will not schedule any work while requests for certificates are pending. Via U.S. mail, this usually takes a day or two, and we schedule roughly a week out. I apologize for any inconvenience, but I believe that this is the best process for safeguarding the consumer, and for protecting the integrity of the business."