Sandlapper Services Inc

I asked for an estimate to repair an inefficient sprinkler system. Mr.Causey (the owner) told me he could come by at 12 the following day but couldn't give an estimate on something like this, but would come out and have a look for $75.00. He was clear that his fees were 75 for the first hour and 50 dollars for additional hours (plus parts of course). He said he had 20 years experience and often fixed this sort of thing within the first hour and generally gave me the feeling that it would be a quick fix. He showed up 2 hours late which just infuriates me anyway because these folks just assume you have nothing better to do than wait around for them to show up. He was accompanied by his "helper" a very young (possibly high-school aged) kid that was apparently just learning the business. My husband met them outside and I didn't hear what went on, but apparently my husband told Mr. Causey to just go ahead and do what it takes to get it fixed (front and back yards), assuming it would be done in a timely manner. They left that evening at 7:00 pm, having done nothing but assess the job, and tear up part of the lawn in the front yard only, putting little flags where the new sprinklers would go. They said they would be back first thing in the morning. They showed up the following afternoon around 2:00 - no phone call saying they would be late. I kept checking on them and questioning the fact that it was taking so long, and Mr. Causey just kept saying over and over that we were getting quality work and no one else could do it as well or as cheaply as he could, and that my husband had approved it. Nevertheless, I was concerned since he hadn't even looked at the back yard. Finally when it got to be past 7:00 pm I had enough - at the rate they were going it was going to cost me several thousand dollars just in labor because the back yard is quite a bit larger than the front. I asked them to finish what they were working on, and that would be it. The bill was $1696.00 and was itemized. His parts were marked up around 300 percent, which he denied when called back the next day by my husband - he said that what he charged us was what he paid. My husband checked in 2 places and those sprinklers/rotors and nozzles were not even close to what was charged us. The retail prices were 1/3 of what we were charged, and I'm sure he didn't pay retail, so he marked them up unreasonably. He also got belligerent when questioned about it. The work was satisfactory and I have no complaint about how the work was completed, my unhappiness is in the cost and the fact that I was led to believe it would be a small job and it turned out to be a large job and a lot of money. We normally never complain about things like this, my husband is easy going and usually just says "it is what it is" and lets it go at that, but this in our opinion was really excessive. I will never again have anyone do work on a time and material basis - I will get a quote or at very least a "not to exceed" amount. Had I known it would be this expensive I definitely would not have had him do it. I could have had the whole front lawn replaced for that amount.