ComplaintsforGatorback Tree Service

• Initial Complaint

  11/23/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We were contacted by the tree service one day late in October. They said they would out around 1pm to start our job. It was well after 2 when they arrived. The crew worked through a driving rain, never stopping. We had one tree in the front yard and several in the back that we needed to be trimmed. Some of the branches that were cut were dragged on the driveway so the gator claw could take them to the street to be chopped. Other tree limbs from the side and back yard were picked up by the gator, cutting across the front yard countless times. Because of the heavy rain, severe damage was done to the lawn. The crew was at our home until 8pm. It was dark at 6:30. Many landscaping plants were crushed and broken because the guys couldn’t see where they were going. The next day when I went outside to see how the yard looked, I was horrified. About 25 hostas were crushed into the ground, azalea bushes were broken and stepped on, bonsai’d trees were broken, verbenas were pushed over, and much more damage to smaller perennials took place. I called the company immediately. Two guys came out with a rake and leaf blower and they picked up some branches that were left on the ground. They promised me a load of top soil. I have called them back many times, I have yet to hear from the owner or get the promised top soil. This company is responsible for damage done to my property. No one will call me back. I am very upset that we used them. I want others to know what kind of business this is. I left a review on Yelp and while I was there, there was another review on damaged landscape. That homeowner submitted a bill to Gatorback for over $400. Without any success. I wish I had done my homework and checked the reviews on this company. They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this. If someone came onto my property and vandalized it, I could file a police report. I feel like my hands are tied.

  Business response

  12/02/2021

  Gatorback Tree Service had a cancellation on Oct 21st and the crew was in the area.  *** ******* was glad the guys were finally getting to his job.  The crew arrived and it started raining while on site.  The crew continued working to get the job done for *** and his wife ******.  I have attached the quote that states we are not responsible for ruts and any yard damage, etc.  Which our goal for each job is to have little compact from the heavy machines on yards and to have the crew return to the shop with no accidents and their life.  Tree Service is a very dangerous job. At this point, I asked ****** why she didn't ask the crew to reschedule for the rest of the job to get finished on a different day.  She said she didn't think they were going to finish that day she thought they were going to stop.  Why didn't she point out all the plants in the yard if they were working in the dark?  The day we did the job her husband was complaining about her rock garden but I didn't hear anything about all the plants she listed.  We did bring her a yard of dirt, like she asked but stated we didn't  I did answer the phone and communicate with her every time she called which she stated we had no communication. The owner is financially part of Gatorback but Mike, our foreman, runs Gatorback.  *** and ****** did not want Mike back on the site.  When I told her Mike is running the business her tone changed and said she didn't know that.  Gatorback has been back to their yard twice to make this better.  

  Customer response

  12/06/2021

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** *******
  
  
  This is in reply to Gatorback Tree Service. The company has not come back twice to correct the issues stated, 2 crew members came out once after the initial complaint phone call. Their reply also states that dirt was delivered to our property to correct all the damage done to the lawn. This is incorrect. No dirt has been delivered here.
  On one of my calls to the company i was told that tree trimming is a very dangerous job and at the end of the day all that mattered was that the crew all returned safely. I agree with this wholeheartedly. The question is why would the crew stay roughly 2 hours after the sun set if safety was such a huge concern. Also during that phone call I was told that the crew wouldn’t have returned the next day  because they were supposed to finish the job at our home on that day. No returns.

  
   

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