J and B Tree Services

We received an estimate of $500 for trimming our Arborvitae hedge. In the discussion I had with the estimator, he indicated topping eight trees and trimming the sides.   Sadly, he failed to mention that the estimate only included topping, even though he indicated trimming the sides in his conversation. Based on the $500 estimate, we chose to employ J and F to complete what we thought was a full trim job.  We called to schedule and got no response, so needed to call again. They called back after the second call and shared they were in the area and could stop by immediately.  When the crew arrived, they began topping the trees, but were not trimming the sides.  The boss (who also was the one who provided the estimate) shared that it would cost additional money to trim ONE side, and even more to trim the back side. Since they were now halfway through, we had no choice to pay more to trim one side.)  For $500 we fully expected a COMPLETE job.  When the boss came to the door, he said I owed him $1000--some of this was for trimming a few branches from 4 other trees. I told him I was not pleased and why.  It was my understanding that I agreed to pay $500 for trimming the tops and sides of my hedge.  He said the estimate did not include trimming/shaping the sides of the hedge though in his conversation he indicated that it would include this.  One would expect that a professional would indicate additional costs and fully disclose and clarify what they would and wouldn't do.  As a professional tree service, you would expect them to clarify that they would only trim the top for $500 and share that trimming the sides would be an additional charge. Would you pay $500 to have a crew come and top 8 arborvitaes, taking less than an hour to top them?  The manager shared it would be an additional $165 for one crewman to do about 20 minutes worth of trimming with a trimmer on one side. Trimming the back side would have been an additional $165-$175.  We had a 10% off coupon. The boss indicated 10% off was included in the estimate, so the coupon was not applicable.  For $500 to trim the top of a hedge, one would expect perfection...it is jagged and uneven, with one side higher than the other and areas where pieces are sticking up beyond the trim line. When we registered our complaint about the price, the boss dropped the job to $900. 

Several crewmen were here at one point, but most did not stay the whole time.  They were simply stopping by after doing another job in the area. I didn't pay much attention to them, but what I did see at a couple of points is that they were acting in a very unprofessional manner. It was definitely disappointing.  

All but one of the crewmen, from both what they said and did, seemed far more concerned about what they were being paid, and how many minutes they worked, than pleasing me as a customer.  In fact, one of the workers told me that one of his co-workers said to just leave the trim job uneven... saying 'it was good enough'.  Thankfully, another employee did the right thing and fixed the obvious problem. So VERY disappointing! 

It is very sad commentary when after you go to websites, check out the reviews, and believe you are employing integrous people who will do a professional, thorough job, only to be so disenchanted with their performance.  We will not employ this company again and will be certain to share with others our recommendation to avoid employing them.