HORTON'S LANDSCAPING

First off, the work done by the crew, Poblo, Jose and the rest is wonderful. The problems are with the management, Jayson and Barbara Horton. They simply do not communicate. Messages left at the office don't get returned. Cell phone voice mails are full or messages don't get returned. The project was estimated in January for an April start so we would be able to use the patio before it got too hot. It was finished 19 Sept 2008. After the demolition started and forms put in place, work on the project stopped. No explanation, just 'we'll be pouring concrete soon' or similar tales. It wasn't until we talked to the town that we were told Horton's had been served a stop work order because they weren't a registered contractor. That's minor - it requires showing proof of insurance to protect the town. But we were never told about this. Just calls ignored or false promises. And Horton's made no visible efforts to remedy the situation. Finally - after learning about the stop-work order - I went down to their offices and spent 1/2 day sitting around staring at Jayson Horton so that he would call the insurance agent, get the proof of insurance faxed to the town and get moving. That was in July. It took another week, but they finally received the necessary building permits. Concrete was poured for the patio on 8 August and work continued on in fits and starts. Things like pulling the crew to lay sod at another project. I'm a reasonable person, I would have said fine (sod is perishable, especially in high heat) if things had been progressing at a reasonable pace and you had called to tell me BEFORE. But the crew just didn't show up and no calls were returned during the day. When we finally spoke at 3pm you lied - told me they had just left the other project and would be over in a few minutes to 'work half a day and finish 100 sq ft of flagstone'. No crew. We're still working through the final bill. Between a couple of change orders (e.g. more lights) and some things I don't yet understand, it's a lot higher than I expected. Next time - with any contractor, but especially Horton's - Have a real contract, not a proposal and make sure it says NO ADDITIONS without written approval of the change order. But - at the end of the project, the net result - our patio is beautiful!