PLAY 'N' THE DIRT

Flagstones look great but gaps are too wide for polymetric sand used to fill gaps. Initial installation of the gap filler was all over the stones and it looked unprofessional. They had a workman clean this up and we accepted it, but it didn't hold up. We researched this and found that the gaps are too large for the product. In flower beds they were to put weed block down and then mulch the beds. We've found several areas where they must have run out of weed block and used the empty mulch bags instead. Plastic bags don't allow ground to breathe and below the bags is a wet mess. Our biggest concern was drainage and we've also found that the patio and yard have many places where ground was NOT graded toward the french drains. In one place they covered over a flagstone "path" that facilitated surface drainage with sod -- sod was placed right over the stones! They also told us to use their irrigation contractor, Jenco (now Clear Choice), to replace our existing sprinkler system. We spent an additional $5000 with them and found later that there is a lawn head behind a tree, there are two head watering the "sodded flagstone path" and none on the side of our garage. They didn't put our main flower bed on a separate valve, they use existing pipes so we now have to water all back yard beds the same even though only one needs to be watered more often costing us more water usage. We also have several boxes that are 8" to 12" below the grade level making it difficult to mow the grass in these areas. Jenco replaced our backflow valve above grade against the building per what they said was new Mansfield code. Since old one which had been in use for 20 years was below ground level, I asked if it needed to be protected from freezing and was told that it would be okay without a cover -- it froze last winter and had to be replaced. We were not able to contact them for corrections. Since Play-in-the-Dirt told us to use their supplier, we expected them to supervise the installation and finishing but they would not take any responsibility for the irrigation fiasco.

They new wall looks beautiful. They did a good job. The only problem I had was the supervisor wasn't there the whole time and the workers dumped the extra rocks in my back yard and spread it around. I had told them that I wanted the left over material but they never asked where I wanted it. They did leave other material for me. The owner is very accomodating and very good. He always has good ideas.

After stressing the importance of a deadline (originally 3 months out), they rescheduled close to the final date. Then they called the night before they were to begin asking if it would be a problem to begin a week later. When I said ''YES, it would be a huge problem'' they came out the next day. Once they arrived, it was noted that not all of the plants on the list were delivered. These plants were supposed to be brought out later in the week, but they never were. They wanted to relocate some existing plants w/no stated reason. In some of the beds, they used way too much mulch (over 10'') resulting in a fungus problem. The drainage system should have been taken further away from the house to where the ground slopes down toward the street. The end result is that water now pools on the side of the house rather than in the backyard. After 4 or 5 phone calls, they did refund for the plants that were never delivered.

After stressing the importance of a deadline (originally 3 months out), they rescheduled close to the final date. Then they called the night before they were to begin asking if it would be a problem to begin a week later. When I said ''YES, it would be a huge problem'' they came out the next day. Once they arrived, it was noted that not all of the plants on the list were delivered. These plants were supposed to be brought out later in the week, but they never were. They wanted to relocate some existing plants w/no stated reason. In some of the beds, they used way too much mulch (over 10'') resulting in a fungus problem. The drainage system should have been taken further away from the house to where the ground slopes down toward the street. The end result is that water now pools on the side of the house rather than in the backyard. After 4 or 5 phone calls, they did refund for the plants that were never delivered.

THEY WERE VERY PROMPT AND PROFESSIONAL. THEY DID WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO. I WOULD RECOMMEND THEM. I LIKED THEM ALLOT.

THEY WERE VERY PROMPT AND PROFESSIONAL. THEY DID WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO. I WOULD RECOMMEND THEM. I LIKED THEM ALLOT.

VERY RESPONSIVE. I NOW HAVE THEM ON A YEAR ROUND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.