Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  02/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In March 2023, I paid the following to *************************** ********************** (of ********************** *********** $******** (on Wednesday, 1 Mar 23); $****** (on Tuesday, 7 Mar 23); $******** (on Thursday, 16 Mar 23); and $******** (on Tuesday, 21 Mar 23). These payments (above) total $*********. These payments were for landscaping and building a privacy fence (at my home). In March 2023, Mr. Harbin said he'd be back (within one week) to fix any problems. However, after I paid him, the "detailed walk through" did not happen. As a result, I've been left with multiple repairs from these two jobs. The total cost for the repairs is approximately $*********. Therefore, I am requesting a partial refund of $********* from ********************** ********** Please see the attached letter (dated 30 January 2023) for further information. *****************************

  Business response

  02/09/2024

  I have responded to ********************* accusations in the *** attached. I have also included screenshots of conversations and pictures of the completed work. Since the accusations ***************** is stating, she has hired me to do additional work, of which she has not paid me for. She repetitively reached out, for the last project completed.We were busy during that time and I offered ****************** to allow her neighbor to do the work but she declined and proceeded hiring me.
  I currently have an active small claims case to try to collect payment from *****************. My attorney and 3 sheriffs have tried serving the court documents of which have been unsuccessful. ****************** is avoiding all of us. She has been unavailable at the number given and the address provided. 
  
  ****************** has hired other contractors in the past and not paid for their services either. 
  ****************** was satisfied with the work provided.

  Business response

  02/09/2024

  More Information...I have responded to ********************* accusations in the *** attached. I have also included screenshots of conversations and pictures of the completed work. Since the accusations ***************** is stating, she has hired me to do additional work, of which she has not paid me for. She repetitively reached out, for the last project completed.We were busy during that time and I offered ****************** to allow her neighbor to do the work but she declined and proceeded hiring me.
  I currently have an active small claims case to try to collect payment from *****************. My attorney and 3 sheriffs have tried serving the court documents of which have been unsuccessful. ****************** is avoiding all of us. She has been unavailable at the number given and the address provided. 
  
  ****************** has hired other contractors in the past and not paid for their services either. 
  ****************** was satisfied with the work provided.

  Business response

  02/09/2024

  Forgot to add the ****** Review ****************** submitted 2023 summer.

  Customer response

  02/18/2024

  Dear Sir or Ma'am,

  I have rejected the response from Harbin Lawn Care.

  Everything I stated in my letter (dtd 30 January 2024) is true to the best of my ability.

  Please see second letter (dtd 18 February 2024); this is true to the best of my ability as well.
  

  Thank you,
  *****************************

  Business response

  02/26/2024

  I stand by all of the responses I made in the initial response. 

  Dates the local sheriff has tried to serve ******************:

  1. 12/26/23 at 1533 2. 01/08/24 at 1710 3. 01/09/24 at 1832

  Attempt to serve by private investigator: 1. 1/30/24 at 1340 2. 2/10/24 at 0824 3. 2/10/24 at 2030

  Phone calls: multiple, including the 3 most recent attempts from my lawyer and his assistant on 2/26/2024 at 1620.

  All of these accusations from ****************** are false. As I stated before we are in an active civil suite with ****************** and unable to make contact with her. I do not feel it is fair for my business to have to continue to go back an forth with a consumer of which I am actively seeking payment for an additional job of which was completed and not paid for. 

  Before the civil suite was filed her bill was $****, now it has accrued daily interest awaiting ********* date. This matter will now be settled by a judge. 

  Business response

  03/01/2024

  This matter will need to be settled by the court system. The work provided in November was in fact finished. We repaired the boards on the fence when we were there in November. 

  Customer response

  03/11/2024

  
  I am rejecting this response because (please see latest reply dtd, 10 Mar 24).

  Sincerely, V
  
  Dear Mr. ******, Agree, this needs to be decided in court. Please try serving me again . . . I am home most of the time. I have a countersuit which I cannot file until I’m served. And since we’re mixing March 2023 (and November 2023) into one complaint, see below: - In November 2023, the “aeration” of my yard did not work -- Zero plugs of dirt were pulled up (due to the drought last year) -- The aeration was not effective (due to the dryness of the ground) -- The ground was too hard for the aeration to take place -- I took a video of the ground (after TJ left)… there were zero plugs of dirt pulled up ----- The aeration needs to be redone - In November 2023, the “overseeding” did not work -- Once again, none of the seed germinated -- My yard is still full of bald spots -- The seed did not take root in November 2023 -- Nor did the seed take root in March 2023 (as per my letter dtd 30 Jan 24) ----- The overseeding needs to be redone - In November 2023, the “staining” (of my fence) was not done properly -- Only 7 gallons of stain were used for 4,200 square feet of coverage -- This is approximately one third of what was required -- As per Ace Hardware, 30-40 gallons of stain should’ve been used -- Also, Deaun ******** and Landon ****** did not stain the entire fence -- In addition, Deaun ******** and Landon ****** sprayed stain over multiple piles of bird crap -- Previously, I asked you if the fence would be prepped beforehand (i.e., power sprayed) -- You answered…. “yes” and stated “we do this all the time” -- But no preparation was done before staining it -- Instead, Landon ****** sprayed stain over tons of bird droppings -- Also, there was no leveling out (or smoothing out) of the stain after it was sprayed -- You said it would be leveled out with a roller; this was not done ----- The staining (of the entire fence) needs to be redone In addition, the back spigot (on the back of my house) was left running. The water ran for more than 96 hours before it was shut off. Also, Deaun ******* dumped a bucket of stain on the ground (in my back yard). Is this an acceptable way for stain to be discarded? Is it ok to pour stain directly onto the ground? - Moreover, as previously stated, these things from March 2023 have still not been fixed: -- My left and right gates are warped -- Both gates need to be torn down and redone -- The posts are not aligned 8 March 2024 -- The latches do not lock from the back yard -- The gates do not come together evenly -- The left gate is nearly inoperable -- The right gate has a large gap down the middle of it -- Multiple boards are split, cracked, warped, and curled -- Multiple boards neeed to be replaced -- Some sod is now dead -- You buried plastic underneath my new sod -- It never took root -- That sod has now died -- The back yard was not regraded properly -- There was no “load of dirt” brought in -- My back yard is holding water -- It was not leveled out with an electric rake -- The front yard is full of high and low spots -- It was not leveled out (with an “electric rake”) -- There was no “load of dirt” brought it to fill the holes In March 2023, you stated you’d be back within one week to do a detailed “walk through.” You specifically stated that if I paid you the balance (of what was owed), you’d be back in a week. You said we, together, would do a detailed walk through (within one week). You said any problems would be corrected. But after I paid you ($22,800.00 total), you did not come back to do a “walk through.” In February 2023, you told me you owned a reputable business. You stated your folks would do high-quality work. But that did not happen. It’s been mostly games, shortcuts, and lies with you, Mr. ******. You told me you were here on the day of the staining (on 7 November 2023) However, you were not here. You said 20 gallons were used to stain the fence. This is false; 20 gallons were not used. You said the fence was stained thoroughly. It was not. You’ve stated (to the BBB) the right gate was fixed . . . it is still warped. 8 March 2024 And, even though I’ve asked, I still don’t have itemized receipts (for the March 2023 work). If ****** Lawn Care is reputable, then please either fix these problems or reimburse me so I can cover the cost of the problems you have left me. My fence is less than one year old. And there are multiple problems with it. My neighbor used the words… “amateur hour” to describe it. Although you may not realize it, people eventually become wise to businesses like yours. And you’re setting the example to your son, Landon ******, it’s ok to do shoddy work (to make a buck). Everything stated in my complaint is true to the best of my ability. I have video, audio, photos, and witnesses to back my claims. I can be reached at ***** ********. ******* ******* P.S. If you’re the person who has been sending me texts (from unknown numbers) that state nothing more than “Hello” and “Hi *******” . . . are you considering these texts valid attempts at contacting me? Would you answer a text that stated… “Hi Thomas” from an unknown number? There’s more which I haven’t gotten to (in this BBB complaint), but I’ll save it for the court.

  Business response

  03/18/2024

  Can this complaint be closed without resolution. I am unable to get ahold of this customer to serve her legal paperwork. We have an open civil case and this needs to be settled in court. 

  Business response

  03/18/2024

  Additional attempts made to serve ****************** her court paperwork:

  • 3/12/24  1102am
  • 3/15/24 at 130pm
  • 3/18/24 at 630am

  I have not been sending any blind text messages. I have tried calling her only with no answer. 

  Customer response

  03/21/2024

  Dear Sir, Ma'am,

  I'm rejecting this response (please see below):

  Regarding my complaint (pertaining to March 2023), Mr. ****** has not offered to resolve the issues.
  

  Mr. ****has stated that I am fabricating these problems (which is not true).

  From here, I will work with my attorney on a way forward.

  Thank you,
  

  Please see second letter (dtd *8 February 2024); this is true to the best of my ability as well.
  Dear Mr. H, PART *: On Wednesday, * March 2023, I paid Harbin Lawn Care $******** to do these things: *a) Landscape FRONT YARD (as follows): - Remove debris from lawn - Rototill lawn - Fill in holes with dirt -- You said you’d bring “load of dirt” to level out lawn -- You said you’d do this for both sides of driveway - Level out lawn before sodding it - Install sod (front yard only) -- You encouraged reserving some sod (to install around back patio) 2a) Replace existing FLOWER BED (as follows): - Remove dead shrubs - Install border - Plant new shrubs - Install layer of weed guard - Fasten weed guard to ground - Add mulch to cover flower bed - Relocate front downspout under ground (with corresponding pop-up valve) 3a) Install matching GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT to front of house - You said you’d install beige (to match other gutters, downspouts) - You said you’d relocate side downspout under ground (with corresponding pop-up valve) 4a) Remove CONCRETE WALKWAY (left side of house) - You said you’d break up concrete and haul away 5a) Landscape BACKYARD (as follows): - Relocate wooden swing set to neighbor’s yard - Remove debris from back lawn - Regrade left side (to get water flowing properly) -- You said you’d bring “load of dirt” to reroute water flow - Remove three trees -- Trees were small, spindly, and dead - Place three downspouts under ground (with corresponding pop-up valves) - Level out yard with “electric rake” - Overseed back (and sides) of yard -- You said you’d overseed everything which was not being sodded -- You said if freezing temps prevented germination, you’d redo it (in warmer weather) - Plant Weeping Willow tree -- You stated this would help absorb water stagnating in back yard - Install sod around back patio (per paragraph *a above) 6a) Remove SHED (right side of house) - Haul away shed (and contents) - Caulk holes (in siding) after removal 30 January 2023 2 (of 9) 7a) Install DRAIN across back patio - You said this would redirect water away from house 8a) Return WOODEN SWING SET to backyard 30 January 2023 3 (of 9) PART 2: On Tuesday, 2* March 2023, I paid Harbin Lawn Care $********* to do these things: 9a) Construct new FENCE - You said you’d use 4x6 posts - You said entire fence would be built with screws -- You specifically stated it would be… “all screws” - You said “all” wood would be pressure treated - You said fence would be built with extra bracing - You said smooth side would face outward - You said latches would lock from inside backyard - You stated that other fence contractors would probably charge less than you… but if I went with you, you’d ensure the following things would happen: -- The fence would be… “the highest quality” product -- The final product would be… “better quality than anyone in Huntsville would do” -- All remaining lumber would stay with me (for future use, if needed) -- The crew would remove all debris 30 January 2023 4 (of 9) PART 3: After paying you $******** for the first job, here are the problems (with the above): *b) FRONT YARD lanscaping was not done properly - No rototilling was done - No “load of dirt” was brought in to fill holes -- As a result, high and low spots exist (still) througout front lawn 2b) FLOWER-BED replacement was not done properly - Weed guard was not installed -- Weed guard was supposed to run length (and width) of bed --- As a result, hundreds of weeds grew up through flower bed -- Fasteners were not used (since no weed guard was installed) - Mulch was not fully installed -- As a result, bare spots formed throughout flower bed 3b) GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT were not installed properly - Beige gutter was supposed to be installed (front of house) -- Instead, white gutter was installed --- As a result, gutter is mismatched - Beige downspout was supposed to be installed (front of house) -- Instead, white downspout was installed --- As a result, downspout is mismatched - When I asked Deaun ******** about the mismatches, he said… “Lowes only had white” - Side downspout was not placed under ground -- No corresponding pop-up valve was installed - When I asked you about these things, you said… “we’ll get it fixed” -- Since March 2023, it has not been “fixed” 4b) Regarding CONCRETE WALKWAY removal (left side of house): - You stated I owed you an additional $****** before you would remove it -- You told me this after I paid you $******** (for the entire job) -- You said additional charge was due to “miscommunication” 5b) BACKYARD landscaping was not accomplished properly - Left side of yard was not regraded -- No “load of dirt” was brought in to build up left side -- As a result, water is stagnating (still) on left side of yard --- Water stagnation extends all the way to back left side (as it did previously) - No “electric rake” was used to level out backyard -- As a result, backyard still has high spots and low spots (all throughout yard) - No “electric rake” was used to level out left and right sides of yard -- As a result, both sides have high and low spots (still) throughout yard - Overseeding was not done properly -- None of the seed took root (anywhere) in back and sides of yard --- As a result, back (and sides) are full of bare spots (still) - Weeping Willow tree has no leaves -- It was planted prior to freezing weather (in March 2023) -- It has appeared dead (ever since it was planted) - Sod (around back patio) died -- In November 2023, I noticed entire row of sod was dead, loose, and unattached 30 January 2023 5 (of 9) -- When I picked up a square, I found numerous black plastic pieces buried underneath it -- At that point, I then checked entire row of loose, unattached sod --- When I did, I found hundreds of black plastic pieces buried beneath it ---- These plastic pieces came from nail guns (used to build fence) ---- Deaun ******** and Landon Harbin were in possession of these nail guns -- It now seems that these plastic pieces were deliberately buried underneath sod --- You repeatedly encouraged me to install sod around back patio ---- And I now think you pre-planned this in order to hide the debris 6b) SHED was not properly removed (right side of house) - Not all pieces of shed were removed -- Two metal bolts remain stuck in concrete foundation (of house) - Nail holes (in siding) were not filled in 7b) DRAIN was not installed across back patio - It was supposed to be installed to divert water from running towards house - Since March 2023, this has not been done 8b) WOODEN SWING SET was not returned to my back yard - In March 2023, you stated “we’ll flip it upside down” and hoist it over the fence - In April 2023, I sent a note that it (still) had not been done - In May 2023, my neighbors became upset it was still located in their backyard - In June 2023, I paid two handymen to return it to my backyard 30 January 2023 6 (of 9) PART 4: After paying you $********* for the second job, here are the problems (with the above): 9b) Regarding the FENCE: - Left gate is warped -- It’s warped at top (and bottom) - Left gate was built too tight -- As a result, it doesn’t open (or close) properly - Left gate is missing metal frame -- Left gate weight is not supported - Left gate is missing hinge -- Middle hinge was not installed - Left gate latch is incorrect -- Gates were supposed to lock from backyard - Right gate is warped -- It’s warped at top (and bottom) - Right gate does not come together evenly (with other boards) - Right gate has large gap down the middle of it - Right gate is missing metal frame -- Right gate weight is not properly supported - Right gate is missing hinge -- Middle hinge was not installed - Right gate latch is incorrect -- Gates were supposed to lock from backyard - Opposite side of right front gate (i.e., back side) is skewed and unsightly -- It appears jerry rigged together (as if measurements were not done corrrectly) Also, these are the additional problems (with the fence): - Multiple damaged boards were used during construction -- Some boards are burned -- Some boards are cracked -- Some boards are split -- Seventy pickets (around perimenter) are curling outwards -- Some boards are not pressure treated -- Most wood used (for pickets) is not supposed to contact ground (but it does) --- How quickly will fence pickets become rotted because of this? - Four (of six) corners are not flush -- At these corners, screws are protruded (and unsightly) - Two posts (at back of fence) are not cut to the correct height - Fence was not constructed using “all screws” (as you said it would be) -- It appears to have been built using only nails - Hundreds of black plastic pieces were left in my yard (back and sides) - Multiple black plastic pieces were strewn all over my street -- They were located primarily in the location Deaun ******** parked his truck each day --- It appears as though he pocketed debris, then released it onto the cul-de-sac ---- All debris was supposed to be removed by Harbin Lawn Care (but was not) - Multiple nails were left strewn across my backyard and sides of yard - None of the excess lumber was left with me -- At the end of construction, Deaun ******** took all remaining lumber with him 30 January 2023 7 (of 9) PART 5: Here are the personal checks I wrote to you (below): - $******** (on Wednesday, * Mar 23) - $****** (on Tuesday, 7 Mar 23) - $******** (on Thursday, *6 Mar 23) - $******** (on Tuesday, 2* Mar 23) With that, the total amount I paid Harbin Lawn Care is $******. On 2* March 2023, you stated you’d be back “within one week” to do a “detailed walk through.” However, after I paid you, the “detailed walk through” never happened. And with that, for the past year, I’ve been left with multiple problems. 30 January 2023 8 (of 9) PART 6: For this reason, Mr. Harbin, I’m requesting reimbursement (as follows): - Front yard was not rototilled ($******) - Front yard low spots were not filled in with dirt ($*20.00) - Weed guard was not installed in flower bed ($*****) - Fasteners (to secure weed guard) were not installed in flower bed ($*****) - Mulch ws not adequaely installed around shrubs ($*****) - Gutter and downspout (front of house) are mismatched ($******) - Side downspout was not placed under ground ($*****) -- No corresponding pop-up valve was installed - Additional fee for concrete removal was not part of original agreement ($******) - Backyard (left side) was not regraded ($********) -- No “load of dirt” was brought in -- No “electric rake” was used to level backyard -- Backyard is still holding water - Overseeding was not done properly ($******) -- Back and sides of yard are full of bald spots -- Bag of seed (I bought) is now gone (and none of the seed germinated) - Weeping Willow tree (at back of yard) appears dead ($******) -- It needs to be removed, discarded, and replaced - Sod install (around back patio) never attached to ground (and is now dead) ($********) -- Hundreds of black plastic pieces were buried underneath sod -- Cleanup of sod (and debris) must now be done -- Sod will need to be repurchased, reinstalled -- Expense from watering sod last year should be reimbursed - Shed was not completely removed ($******) -- Nail holes (from shed removal) were not filled in with caulk - Drain was not installed across back patio ($******) -- Water has continued to run towards house (possibly damaging foundation) - Wooden swing set was not returned to yard ($******) Also, fence repairs (i.e., an average of four contractors’ estimates) is $********. - Left gate must be rebuilt -- It needs proper hinges, latch, metal frame -- If not redone, it will remain warped - Right gate must be rebuilt -- It needs proper hinges, latch, metal frame -- If not redone, it will remain warped, gapped, unsightly - Low-quality 2x4s need to be replaced (around perimeter of fence) - Seventy pickets need to be replaced (around perimeter of fence) due to being bent (and flared out) - Fence corners are not flush - Two fence posts need to be cut to a consistent height Furthermore, if the pickets (around the 354-foot perimeter of the fence) begin to prematurely rot at the bottom (because they were never supposed to be in contact with the ground in the first place)… then, obviously, all of the pickets will need to be replaced (with wood that can contact the ground). Regarding the above, I’m requesting $********* be reimbursed to me (for the items which were either not done properly or were not done at all). 30 January 2023 9 (of 9) Moreover, I never received these things (below): - Receipt for the sod I purchased - Receipt for the lumber I purchased - Written estimate for the first project - Written estimate for the second project Will you please send me copies of these at your earliest convenience? If you do not have the receipts, please let me know where you bought the sod and lumber. 

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