ComplaintsforLayout Landscape & Maintenance LLC

• Initial Complaint

  09/22/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Front half of driveway done by Layout in November of 2021. By June of this year 2022 Concrete is cracked apart in one corner that gets no traffic. Rainfalls now go into garage and flood it if heavy. There is a low area where he suggested a drain be put in but I have never had water in my garage after a rainfall until this job was done. I expressed my concern and he came out with the level and sent me a pic that it was pitched fine. I took my own level and found spots where it wasnt and a picture of the puddle so he could see how the water was flowing TOWARD my garage (he had tried to patch higher twice) I sent numerous emails asking for his insurance provider or a 50% refund. I do not think he is insured as I requested the info numerous times over text and email and sent pictures then he came on July 5th without telling me he was coming and I think he had his mom with taking pics and they both told me the rain in the garage also has to do with what direction it's coming down. I get it that it could happen but my seal on garage is fine and wouldnt be to this degree and you should NEVER see water leaking TOWARDS your garage from a puddle that forms due to a dip they made. Also the corner that is cracked he said that is where it was patched but that also is not true you can tell visually. On 7/5 he said he would be back to patch it up....but it wouldn't be for about 3 weeks. I said ok. It is now 9/22 and I have yet to see anything but I don't want anymore done by them just $ back. Also drove over most of lawn instead of area he showed me and left large spots of concrete in grass. I had to ask for one huge dried chunk to be removed (shouldnt have had to ask) but some still remains. They don't have a spot for reviews for a reason! And if anyone ever shows up to give me a quote and says they were late due to a class but shows up with deep pillow marks on their cheek ....I now know better.. Sandbags and foam to keep water out are an eyesore!

  Business response

  10/03/2022

  In 2021 Ms. ****** contacted us for a quote for her 5 slabs of concrete to be replaced due to she was having water issues going into her garage. I had shot some grade heights with a transit level and highly recommended to her to install a drain in front of the garage. She had denied that suggestion and just wanted the slabs to be repoured. She was told that with the width there was not a lot of room for a good pitch due to how everything was set up but would be better than the current slab being pitched into the garage. She went with the option of just repouring as she couldn't afford to install the drains in front of the garage as recommended to prevent any water from going into the garage. 

  On October 29th, ************************ about 2 low areas after a rain storm and stated that there was a little water being held in the 2 low spots. I did take a look at it and went there the following week with a Self-leveling concrete to fill in those 2 areas. She was happy with that. There was no mention at all that water was getting into her garage at all. 

  She contacted me on then June of 2022 and complained about there is now water getting into her garage. Needless to say 7 months later after numerous rain storms and snow melt there was no issues prior to that. I did go back over with a level and showed Ms. ****** that there is pitch to the concrete away from the garage. Where the concrete was breaking out  I did say I would fix that area only as there could have been some issue with the product. I did not get the chance getting back there yet with some health issues I was having and an accident I was in. I'm happy to fix that one area and repatch it. 

  For the grass issue she was told that there was going to be some damage with equipment and to get our forms in. That any damage would be her responsibility as we do with all our customers.  We do clean it up the best we can and the rest is her responsibility. 

  I'm not allowing her to file an insurance claim that 1, she did not want to take our Highly recommendation about installing a drain in front of her garage and not to have this issue. 2, Not my decision that she lives on a swamp area that there is continue amount of settling and frost that moves these slabs which is an act of god. 

  We are denying any refund as Job was completed fully. 

  
  

  Customer response

  10/04/2022

  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.
  

  This is incorrect.  I was NOT seeking repair due to water in garage.  To refresh your memory On 9/8/21 I reached out on ******** seeking a concrete contractor.  They have since removed their reply to my post which is pretty telling.  I was seeking repair of the ***** LEFT SLAB in front of the window that had dipped significantly leaning towards the house underneath my front window on the left.  There was also the slab in front of the garage that had a dip in it farther away from the garage.  In order to repair the two we had to replace the 5 with the way the area was laid.   I did show *** the low area in the garage because I was worried about the slab in front of the garage because there was a dip in it farther away from the garage....eventually sinking and causing water to go in.  He did suggest I get a drain IN the garage NOT IN ***** but I denied that because I never had water in the garage except over winter when the snow melts off my car.  That is the only time water was ever in there.  Again, the call was to repair the front left slab....remember you even mentioned all the mud that was under that particular slab.  Your first quote #**** even confirms the fact that you came for the first 3 slabs under the front window... i requested to add the ones in front of the garage.....unfortunately.  Yes I was "happy" that the concrete patch was done thinking that it would raise that spot but it didn't and it's cracking in the corner and chipping away in other spots that Im not even addressing.  As far as the lawn, yes he did show me the area that was going to be raked up..fine...cool BUT they drove over the rest of the lawn and I would think that you wouldn't toss extra concrete in grass to use along the way. 

   

  Even if it is 7 months after the the job was done.  Concrete can settle especially if it wasn't based properly.  Yes it was fine over winter and you didn't hear from me so doesn't that indicate that something failed in the pour if I contacted you in spring when I started seeing a problem .  Even if I do live on a swampy area that is a poor excuse for the awful cracked up corner and water in the garage which yes it didn't happen until  months after the job was done but it never happened for ntil I contacted nd uneven brushing and years  prior during a rainfall.  I first I am not seeking a full refund - I am only asking for half so I can get it repaired properly.  Even tho I do not want Layout to repair the job, I would hope they would stand behind their work and refund their customer half.  At least I learned to ask contractors for their insurance information as I have yet to get that from Layout.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* Flower

  Business response

  10/14/2022

  I did what the customer wanted, and I have shown that the slap was slanted away the way it should have been. I'm not going to sit here and argue over this. The most I will refund is $1000.00 to replace the 2 slabs. I will have my lawyer write up refund sheet and once that's signed, they will send her a check. Let me know and I will have them contact you or I will forward it over to you.  

  Customer response

  10/20/2022

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is somewhat satisfactory.

  While it is not what I requested I reluctantly settle at a $1,000 refund to help me get it fixed by another company.  I look forward to hearing from your lawyer.  I will expect this to be resolved within 30 days so that would be November 19th.  
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* Flower

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  06/18/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In February of 2021 I went on a local Facebook page seeking occasional snow removal as needed. An owner of an area landscape company contacted me saying he would be happy to help me out. We had only a verbal agreement that would call him as needed. On 2/21/21 he came and did a quick sweep of my driveway without me requesting any service . Yesterday 6/17/21 I received an invoice requesting payment ASAP. I contacted him via email and he responded with a threatening reply that he would take action. He did not say what type of action. I am fearful he would do property damage as well as take me to court.

  Business response

  06/27/2021

  To Whom It Concerns,
  As to this matter, yes I received a call on February 15th from ******* ****** about plowing her drive. I had explained on the phone how we do snow plowing for residentials. I give 2 options Option 1 is we offer 1” or more. And customer responsibility to shovel anything less and must be cleared and if we show up and make a pass and its ice then we have the right to refuse it. Option 2 is we offer 2” or more. And customer responsibility to shovel anything less and must be cleared and if we show up and make a pass and its ice then we have the right to refuse it.
  She did ask for 3” or more but I stated we do not do any 3”or more. She had stated over the phone that she would go with the 2” plow if the price was reasonable because she could handle shoveling the amount less than 2”. I had asked her to send me her name address and would get her a price. I responded with a price of $55 per push. She had responded with “LOL what does that mean exactly?” My response was “Each time we plow it/show up it would be $55”. Her response was “I can handle that. I don’t work early everyday. Im worried about tomorrow morning if we get more than a couple of inches.” I asked “What time do you leave”. Her response “so how can we work this out? I have to leave at 8:30  am tomorrow.” Me “ ok Normally send you a contract before we will do  it but I’ll do this first on and will send you a contract in the next day or 2.” Her “ I appreciate that” Me “ for tomorrow please let me know by 6am. I got a doctor appointment at 7:30. Or should I just plan on doing it tomorrow?” her “Just plan on doing it. I’ll leave a check for you at the front door if you tell me who to make it out to.” Me “Layout Landscape” Her “ thank you very much”.
  
  Then on February 21nd  that night we had gotten 2” of  snow. I had gotten a messaged at 5:34 am “good morning. My apologies but I thought we’re going to work something out as needed on mornings I worked. I didn’t see a contract so I assumed you wouldn’t have come for this snow”. Me “my apologies my understanding was 2 inches or more. I did mail out the contract last week Wednesday or Thursday. I will put you on my call only list for now on. My apologies for the delay”.
  “It was only to be an on call type of situation which I posted on FB initially. Do I still owe you $50 for today?” Me “do “$45 today. I got you changed in the system. Her “ ok… Ill send you out a check if that’s ok.” ME “Yes thank you”. Her “based in this situation today. I’m not going to sign the contract, I’ll figure something else out the rest of the winter  if needed. I hope you understand” Me “that’s fine. Just call me when you need to be plowed”.  All this is on my phonein the text messaging that was between us.  So yes, She still owe’s me $45 for the plowing. 
  Email from *******
  Yesterday (6/17/21) I received an invoice dated March 1, 2021 for a partial service (2/21/21)I never scheduled. 
  
  If you recall, no contract was ever sent to me and we verbally agreed that services would only be provided if I contacted you the evening before based on my work schedule.
  
  I am asking you please to waive this as I am very strapped financially.  I am going through a very drawn out divorce with no financial support at this time.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ******
  
  Layout response
  Hello,
  
   Unfortunately we did perform the service that you had asked for. We can put you on a payment plan But doing so we wouldn't need a credit card number on file. Please make payment right awayIs to prevent any further action. 
  
  Layout landscape
  ******* Response
  You’re misunderstood.  You took it upon yourself to only clear a path in the drive without my permission.  
  
  It wasn’t a 45 dollar job.  I’ll talk to my lawyer about what I should do about this.  
  So what the prosses is that we work with a collection company and we also file a lean on the property. If that doesn’t go anywhere then the next step is we do court and ask the judge to pay for all the fees. Since her bill is past due, we will be moving forward with the action.
  

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