Operation Clean Up

We needed fine grading in particular beds in our yard, some that would be mulched, and some that we'd plant sod.  We gave Jared the plan, and Jared gave us a bid for the work of $2000, including 1,200 for the materials (sod, mulch, wood chips, top soil), and $800 for the labor.  Jared charges per man-hour on labor, and said it was a fixed charge on materials.  Jared insisted on the material cost $1200 up front, and wanted his workers paid the same day they did the work.  This was generally fine, except that meant I had to be home when they finished to pay them.
Jared wasn't good at keeping to his original schedule, but did call us when he was putting us off.  He started the work a couple of weeks late.  When he showed up again, we gave him a printed plan (again) showing the needs for each bed.  Jared immediately handed it to someone else on his team, saying that his Mexican workers wouldn't be able to read it, and as far as I can tell, never looked at it again.  Then the project became a string of events of Jared saying that "this wasn't included in the original plan" even though it was on the original plan.  Perhaps he didn't read it or remember everything we said when we asked for the bid.  So, wanting to be fair, I gave in a lot when he would say things like, I'm buying more material, so there will be extra charges for top soil, for mulch, for weed barrier, etc.  
Jared was, about half the time, not there when his workers were doing the work.  Sometimes they worked hard, sometimes they didn't.  So I ended up having to be there to supervise them.  One time I left for two hours to go to work.  When I came back the three people there had dug three post holes, and only halfway.  Two hours to dig three holes, part of the way?  Since it is $30 per man-hour, it was $180 for that "work".  I complained to Jared, who blamed his workers being lazy.  But he still charged me for the full amount.  Look, if don't trust your workers, then you'd better be there to watch them.  Jared says he needed to go get more materials, but he was always off looking for more materials.  Since he inflated the price on the materials, I could have had them delivered cheaper.  There were other times when Jared wouldn't follow what was on the plan, and then later I would have to have him redo it, of course, at my expense.
The final day, Jared asked me what color wood chips I wanted for the playground area.  I said, I don't care what color the wood chips are.  He came back hours later with wood mulch, not wood chips, and told my wife that I had told him that was okay.  That was the last straw, and I told him we wouldn't need him any more.  He went away, still having charged me for the yards of wood chips that he never delivered.   
And he took my pick axe with him!  His workers had talked to me about how much they liked my pick axe.  He walked off with it on that last day, and will not return it, even though he admits by text that he took it.  

The workers themselves were consciences workers but they needed constant supervision. They dug up a couple of perennials Inspite of elaborate instructions to the contrary. Jared does not provide them equipment either. I had to give them them hand tools, leaf handling tools and gloves. We routinely put 4 cubic yards of mulch on the property in spring --so I know what it looks like. Jared had me pay in advance for 5 cubic yards. What he arrived with wasn't 5 cubic yards. It was about 3. It wasn't enough to finish the yard so he wanted yet more money. From his perspective the written estimate meant nothing. I felt I was badly taken advantage of.

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Outstanding.

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Jared returned my call promptly and was able to schedule the project within two business days.  He and his crew arrived on time and asked me to walk through our yard and explain exactly what we needed to have done.  He encouraged me to get really detailed and specific so that the job would be done properly.  He estimated it would take 4 hours, but the job ended up taking only three which is great because he charges by the hour.  When the job was done, Jared's foreman asked me to walk around with him and make sure everything was done to my satisfaction.  I couldn't have been more pleased.  The fact that Jared was able to process a credit card, which is not common in his profession, was icing on the cake.

They showed up right on time with five guys ready to work. While the head worker and I talked about what needed to be done, the others started working immediately. He made sure they were on the same page about which shrubs needed to be taken out, and which ones could be salvaged. He was never pushy, but was very willing to give his two cents on any concerns I hadn't made my mind up on. Before he left, I got a quote for our backyard (which is a whole different story) which really helps us plan for next summer's projects. The only reason I gave them a B in quality is they did forget to clear out one spot in the flower beds. We ended up having to do that ourselves the next weekend. I suppose it wasn't that big of a deal. But, when I pay that kind of money I expect everything to be perfect.

They do great work, have used them for multiple projects: weed cleanup, dirt haul, etc

Great. Super fast response! Got the work scheduled and DONE in less than 3 days. Great quality, I was very pleased. I paid upon completion of the work.

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Things started out kind of slowly, in that Jared and I kept missing each other by phone and email. However, when we got the work scheduled, he sent out four men and they all worked extremely hard for 10 hours. The yard looks amazing! We are very pleased with their work and plan to hire them again for spring clean-up.  

Initial call on or about 3/24/14. Spoke to Jared and told him i needed an est for sprinklers and sod along a parking strip as well as an est on updateing exsisting sprinkler heads in the front and back yard, patches for dead spots in the back lawn and fertilization on everything.
In turn Jard told me he had a guy that dealt with spinklers and asked that i call him to get that set up. i called Jason that same day and was called back 2 days later.
I set up an appointment for Jason to come take a look and give me an est. Jason came over on 3/3014 and gave me an overall est of $1,700 he at that time asked for $1,400 down and to pay the $300 remainder after tha job was done. I gave Jason a check for $1,400 on 3/31/14, being listed on Angie's list i wasnt worried about paying sunch a large chunk up front.
From that time on i only spoke to Jason on the phone, while i was told about each delay, waiting on blue steaks (2weeks+ and they never showed) a car accident, and death in the family ... at this point it was Memorial weekend (5/26/14) and nothing was done.
I called Jared around this time with my concerns about the long delay, at this time after explaining everything to Jared and he in turn told me how he never liked using Jason on jobs, that he has gotten him 3 bad reviews in the past and that Jason was not someonethat was trustworthy and should have never used him on any job again. Jared was very understanding and even sent a text to Jason to get things moving.
From this point Jason actually showed up and installed the set of sprinklers on the parking strip (6/7/14) and told me the sod was ordered and should arrive within the next 2 weeks, Jason stated he would be in the following week to start/finish all the other work before the sod arrive the following week. a week later all i got was a call .....the sod cutter was broken.
the following week we had alot of rain in the SL Valley and i was told they couldnt cut sod when it was too wet. i was alos told the sod was coming in from Idaho....at this time i told Jason i'd like to have everything done by fathers day (6/15) and at the very latest the 19th, as i'd be god for a week on vacation.
Needless to say i was called while on Vacation and told the sod would arrive during the week of (7/7) being that the holiday week was not a good week to expect delivery. the week of 7/7 came and went with only a call on 7/11 stating that it was too hot to lay sod, from there Jason told me he'd be out of town on work the following week (7/14-7/18) and he'd call me with an update.
So now it 7/28/14 and i havent heard anything, i'm tired of dealing with this and i'd just like my money back (minus the $200 give or take for the little work thats bee done). I'm not going to call or talk to Jared or Jason at this point, because there is no point.
Angie's list you need to fix this! in any other case i would not have paid upfront, but because of my trust in Angie's list i did and not its biting me in the a**!!!! Please resolve this issue STAT, i'd like to move on and forget all about these crooked people ..

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The owner called stating a date.  Then a supervisor was sent to give us a quote. The owner called us within an hour to ask if the supervisor was telling the truth.  I replied yes the quote was actual.  I was told by the supervisor that the job would be scheduled on the following Monday but the owner called and said no it would be done on that Saturday.  (I was confused.) 
Saturday morning arrived and four gentlemen showed to do work.  They were great and started work immediately.  The supervisor arrived around 2pm to see how things were going.  The workers asked if the supervisor had their money as promised by the owner. The supervisor had no idea that he was to pay them.  A heated discussion ensued.  The supervisor called the owner and asked what he, the owner, quoted me, the price $1000.  I paid the supervisor in a form of a check which was deposited that afternoon.  When the supervisor returned, I asked for a breakdown of costs.  I was told five workers at a $30 rate plus dump fee of $100.  I told him only four workers plus dump fee.  
I have tried to contact the owner to no avail.  The supervisor was apologetic but no word from the owner.  The workers and supervisor were very professional and did a great job but the owner was not professional and still has not returned my emails.  

**After months of trying to get a refund, I was given a NSF check.  This company should be reported!!

They did a great job! The work took about 10 man hours. They hauled all the weeds away and left it all neat and picked up. I would highly recommend them. Jared was great to work with.

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Operation Cleanup 3-man crew arrived and went right to work.  They worked hard for 2 1/2 hours, and accomplished all that I had asked to be done.  I had not been able to complete my spring cleanup and the bedding was out of control with grass and tree shoots.  They cleared all of the grass out and trenched around the beds with a nice edge.
Their service was reliable, hard working, and trustworthy.

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He charged me an extra $10 because I was having him pick up some construction  waste, that was OK with me.  They came on time, were very nice, did the job efficiently and well.  I would never have been able to take the stuff myself, and now I have so much less 'junk' in my garage.

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