SUTTER LANDSCAPE & IRRIGATION INC

Mr. Sutter did prune our trees and clear out the front bedding areas. He and his crew also removed the grass and weeds from the raised garden beds, but did nothing to prevent the flora from returning. He recommended placing paver rocks in sand for the walkways as this was the method used for a short existing walkway in the rear of the home. However, he chose inferior rocks and placed them really far apart, so that the walkway consisted of wobbly stones in lots of sand. Also when he and his crew dug the path for the walkways, they just left the turf and dirt piled next to the pathways. We became concerned about his expertise when he was unfamiliar with landscaping terms such as "rhizomes" and so carelessly removed some shrubs for relocation that they didn't last even one week in their new location despite care and watering of them on our part. The crises arose when he left his flatbed out front and another vehicle in the rear for two weeks without showing up to complete the job. We emailed and phoned him repeatedly. He did not return our calls. Finally we received a call from his wife saying he was ill. But we wondered; what about his crew? Was everyone ill? We sent him an email saying that we considered him through with this job after he suddenly appeared at the property to removed his vehicles. At that point we had paid him nearly 75% of the agreed upon cost for the project which was less than half complete. He demanded the full amount. We refused. We hired a masonry contractor to complete the walkways, this time having the job done correctly with the right kind of stone, bedding and mortar. They deconstructed the raised garden beds creating new masonry ones and installed a stone porch and walkway from our rear casita. This cost us an additional $8,000.00, but was worth it, because the work was beautifully executed. Mr. Sutter filed a claim against us in Hays County Small Claims Court to collect the balance of the money he felt was owed him. After viewing photos of the incomplete and shoddy work Mr. Sutter performed and hearing our side of the story, the judge granted only part of the amount Mr. Sutter felt he was due. But it rankled us that we had to pay him any additional money for incomplete and incompetent work. Do NOT hire this man. The kindest thing we can say about him is that he is neither knowledgeable nor reliable.

Sadly, he is not a man of his word and has ignored opportunity to resolve this amicably in what I thought would be a win-win for both sides. Filed a complaint with the BBB - they had no luck, and have suggested I contact the Austin PD and/or Travis Co. DA re: consumer fraud or take him to small claims court. His company has a beautiful web site, and supposedly the Austin water authorities love him, but I suspect it's mostly a bunch of lies. If I recall correctly, one of the rave reviews came from someone on Angie's list, so I suspect they either had a different experience or Will Sutter submitted it under a pseudonym. Unfortunately, this isn't finished yet but I feel I need to warn potential victims.

Perfect. Will certainly call upon them again

See above.

THEY WERE MASTERFUL. VERY EFFICIENT IN PRODUCING THE LANDSCAPE, AND WONDERFULLY HELPFUL AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE LANDSCAPE WE WANTED. WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP US GET OUR MONEY'S WORTH.