Second Nature Landscape

We found Scott's number from his trucks driving around the valley and thought we would get a bid from him on a wall terracing project for our back yard.  We called and he returned our call later that evening.  I explained the project we were looking at and felt that scott had plenty of experience in building landscape walls.  He explained that he was about 3-4 weeks out from starting a project but would me meet with us at our home the end of the next week.  were were anxious to get started but figured we could wait a little bit.  we called a few other landscapers and were a little weery because they wanted 75% up front and said they coudl start the next day.   I wanted to give scott and a chance to bid since he seemed quite busy they must have plenty of work.  its kind of  like the analogy of the tattoo artist .  Who wants a tattoo from the guy thats not busy and has no clients?
When scott came he was very personable and gave us some ideas that we hadn't thought about.  we told him our budget and his bid was just under it plus he has a friend of his that put our ideas into a 3-D visualization for us since my wife had a  hard time picturing the wall.
We went ahead with scott and it took him about 2 weeks to complete.  he had a crew of 4 guys at our house each day and scott stopped by about twice each day to check progress and meet with us.  His crews were very clean and courteous.  
I have recommended scott to many of my friends and work associates.  he was a pleasure to work with.  

1.  He didn't stick to any of his bids.  I always received a "completion" bid, that was higher than the  original bid to do the job.  There was no prior approval, or communication about the increase in price.
2.  He was less than honest about materials he used to build my fence including:
A.  Stain
B. Grade of Cedar 
C.  Manner of installation
The cedar slats are all falling out, the posts are warped and bent, and staples were used instead of screws.
  He won't return my emails and phone calls regarding my requests to remedy a situation that will satisfy my complaints, namely:
A.  Replace the warped and bending posts.
B.   Replace some of the cedar slats.
C.   Replace the staples with screws so the fence does not continue to fall apart.  
 He used Behr stain from Home Depot and he charges a 15% materials fee.  I'd rather go get the paint myself and save some money.  (Which by the way, he doesn't acknowledge as one of his suppliers on his web site).  
4.  The retaining wall was not completed as we had discussed.  It was finished in one afternoon while I was at work.  (As was the fence).  I will have to take down a portion of it and redo it. 
5.  He charges extra to take out building permits, and doesn't let the customer know that a permit should be taken out for the work he is contracted to do.  I was cited by the city for not having a permit to pour the cement pad in my backyard.   When I called Scott about it, his reply, "I'll have to charge you for my time to go down and take care of it."  As I was already paying a premium price for the pad, ($3,600), I took care of it myself. 
I have a big piece of rebar sticking out of the side of it.  If this was necessary, why didn't you do it on the fence side?
6.  No customer PR skills, he threatens to sic me on his bill collector because I finally got fed up with his over charges and did not pay the additional surprise amount on the final job I had him do.  (I  paid the original bid amount, the amount we discussed and agreed on verbally before the job commenced.  I have the bids to prove it).
After I paid Scott in full, and months later, I received his nasty, threatening phone call about sending me to his credit collection agency for not paying an additional $400 over his bid amount.  This, after he already received over $16,000 from me.
I realize that I should've communicated my dissatisfaction with his work before now, however at the time I was dealing with a major construction/remodel project on my house.   And, quite frankly I was taken aback and surprised by his mode of operation.  
I am doing it now, because I see him doing work on a new home a couple of blocks from mine with his sign displayed.  
Bottom line:   Would he put up with a contractor that charged what he charged me and completed jobs in the same manner on his property as on mine?  
I liked how he installed the auto sprinkler valve boxes in my yard, and his professional presentation with his motto, "Do it once and Do it right."  That's why I hired him in the first place, and that's what I thought I would be getting.
I have all his bids and the amounts I paid him as proof of all of this.  
I did notify him in advance that I felt it necessary to let my neighbors know of my experience.   But that I was also willing to work it out with him.   His reply,  "Well, I'm not going to respond to anything because of your threats.  The fence is out of warranty."
Date of Service  on the last bud submitted:  8/25/2009
So, here you have it.  I would never use him and I would never recommend him to anyone else.

After two years the work settled, the boarders collapsed and other areas have sunk.  Two certified Belgard contractors came out.  Road base was not done property-too thin. No Geotech fabric used so weeds are growing between cracks. Job cost $$$$ to be totally redone.  
Talked with another customer who was having the same problems we are!