Response from KAMINSKI TREE SERVICE LLC.
First, the client, Mr. [member name removed], is correct in that he could have rented a stump grinder with a similar cut size. However, at Kaminski Tree Service, we recognize that the right tool for the job is determined by a host of factors, not just the diameter of the stump. For suburban and/or residential work, where getting in and out of tight places without damaging the client's lawn, planting beds and landscaping is crucial, we use compact, comparatively light stump grinders. These are lessons only learned from 20 years of experience. We have multiple stump grinders, including a Toro STX26 hydraulic stump grinder which is a $17,800.00 machine providing a 19” cut BUT weighing 1,200 lbs. The “DR” brand stump grinder we used for [member name removed] project weighs in at approximately 300 lbs and has performed thousands of successful jobs on stumps up to and larger than [member name removed]. Prior to the date of service, [member name removed] spouse, Mrs. [member name removed], informed us that she and Mr. [member name removed] had commenced a landscaping project in and around the areas where the stumps were located and that their work was already well underway. She said we should expect to work around obstacles in the vicinity of the stumps. In light of this information we responded with right sized equipment…… Additionally, I have to assume if [member name removed] could have secured equal work for less money and had it completed sooner, he would have done so. Given the fact that he awarded the contract to Kaminski Tree Service, it is reasonable to deduce our price and delivery were the best available. Our arrival was not unannounced or a surprise. This project was both planned and performed on Oct 3rd, and like any outdoor work, weather has to be watched hour by hour as things develop. I called and spoke with Mrs. [member name removed] that morning, notifying her we were working on another job site and that if the rain subsided we would still come to perform their job. She responded by asking if she should have her party guests park at the road so we could access the site assuming the rain would stop…. I said yes, that would be wise. When we pulled up, it was evident our arrival was expected in that the party guests who had arrived up to that point were all parked on the road. But there was still a surprise waiting – Mr. [member name removed] was out of town. [member name removed] indicated in his rating that the first 2 stumps were removed within 20 minutes and the top portion of the next stump took 2 to 3 hours – which in my estimation is irrelevant in a contract with a nonnegotiable price. And I am still wondering how Mr. [member name removed], who was out of town, and whose spouse was conducting an indoor party at the time, has such detailed recall of events? Upon our arrival we found a yard that was cluttered with landscaping materials, creating a more dangerous and difficult site condition than if [member name removed] had executed the project in correct sequence - meaning all stump grinding completed prior to commencing their landscaping project. We worked around lumber, concrete forms and significant uneven terrain. Some of the surface roots Mr. [member name removed] references were from a nearby Crabapple tree that they wanted to keep, and regardless of how inconvenient they may be, grinding those feeder roots would disrupt or even kill the Crabapple tree. I mentioned on several occasions to Mrs. [member name removed] that if they wanted to grind the surface roots from the River Birch which ran out anywhere from 6 to 12 feet from the stump, that work would be a separate contract. She made it clear that was unnecessary because Mr. [member name removed] was going to deal with those surface roots by hand and with the help of his friend who had rented a Skid-steer. What I knew already and Mr. [member name removed] found out too late, was that the Skid-Steer was undersized for the job, but by that point it became our problem. So Mr. [member name removed] landscaping project was in effect executed backwards. The reality is this, it was visibly apparent Mr. [member name removed] had already unsuccessfully attempted to remove a few of the surface roots from the River Birch stump. They had been struck with something - likely a pick ax. Furthermore, Mr. [member name removed] 's friend tried unsuccessfully to pry out the roots with his skid-steer rented from a home improvement store. Thus we were recalled to complete what [member name removed] had started. In close, I can find only one error in this project and that is agreeing to perform it while Mr. [member name removed] was out of town, leaving his wife solely responsible. For first time clients, it is not our policy to conduct work without both home owner’s present. In this case, [member name removed]’s absence was made known to us after we arrived on site, and Mrs. [member name removed] assured us that this was not a problem. She indicated that it was typical for her to take the lead on projects like this because [member name removed] is frequently gone. So, with personnel and equipment committed we proceeded to completion. Upon completion, we NEVER leave a job site without the owner (or owner's representative in the case of repeat clients) being 100% satisfied after a thorough walk around and visual examination of our work. This procedure was followed as it is on all our projects. Mrs. [member name removed] was completely satisfied with our work. In Mr. [member name removed] 's absence the oversight of this project fell to Mrs. [member name removed] alone, who apparently was given the sole responsibility of reviewing the completeness of work, but not sole authority to agree to its proper completion. And even then, at [member name removed]’s request, after his own failed attempt to remove the surface roots, we returned the following morning promptly to address his concerns. And we accepted no additional funds though we were offered. I did not complain about being recalled, but I was understandably surprised and did state that I was never called back in the past, as that is the fact and our rating with Angie’s list, the BBB and word of mouth all testify to this. We feel bad that [member name removed] was unable to be on site on the agreed upon date of service, since the outcome may have been different with him present. We also feel bad that [member name removed] was unhappy with the result, but we can only base our scope of work on what our clients indicate they want done up front and are willing to pay for, and in this case we believe we already went above and beyond our contracted scope of work, if for no other reason than to retain our 100% satisfaction rating. Very Sincerely, Kurt Kaminski - President & Owner Kaminski Tree Service