ComplaintsforAlfaro Lawn Care

• Initial Complaint

  09/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Alfaro Lawn Care started my new landscape approximately 3/23/22, took approx 1 week. The first thing the *** inspector noticed was that they buried the main drain to the street, the owner Wilson, claimed they did nothing wrong until I sent photos, he sent his crew back to locate & uncover it. I recently purchased fencing to protect them and will be paying someone to help me set up the protective wire fences. He planted an arapaho red *********************** tree 24 gallon in my front yard with just the transfer poll, I kept telling Wilson in a text that the tree looks like its going to fall that he was suppose to put a post on each side, Wilson assured me that wasn't going to happen, thank God I communicated in text because sure enough, a big wind came and took my entire tree with it, I let Wilson know and he agreed to replace it with at lemon bottle brush tree, which he did, but I had to purchase the two post and in-ground water stakes. New tree was was planted April 29th. Since the project began, plants and trees continue to die. I had to purchase my own miracle grow fertilizer, mulch, I followed Wilson's directions but things were still dying, I have photos, per request. Wilson was also suppose to plant ***** plants in the back planter that was only suppose to be 2' deep, but is 3.5 deep, but he kept putting me off saying he was busy to the point I was so angry, I said don't come back. The concrete he poured was suppose to lean away from the house and flow out the block wall lower opening, but in some areas it does not, so when it rained, there were puddles that had to dry out on their own. I had to pay an arborist to fertilize all my remaining plants and trees, some are coming back to life others died. Nothing at all grows in back planter, I've spent several hundred on plants and materials but everything dies!!! They made a mess of my 1 year old new block wall splashing concrete on lower section, said I need to remove it myself!! I want $7000 to help replace the bad!!

  Business response

  09/12/2022

  Contact Name and Title: Wilson Alfaro, Owner
  Contact Phone: **********
  Contact Email: ***********************************
  In response to the complaint of ****************, I find it absurd for her to state all this false accusation to ruin the reputation of my business. I have photos of all the job I have done and I make sure the project was complete. She was never happy of any of the things I have done for her to include replacing a tree costing $650.00 out of my own pocket. Every time there is something she noticed, she calls me and complains about it. I explained to her on several occasion that is it normal for plants to whither due to shock (transfer from pot to the ground). She also stated that she had gone to Star Nursery, Moon Valley and other businesses to get the opinion of others which creates more confusion and conflict on how she should take care of her yard. On 3.21.2022, she hired me to do a job that I have been doing for over 25 years. ****************** even submitted a raving and positive comment in Yelp - not sure why all of a sudden her behavior started to change.
  **************** started calling and leaving text messages because she wanted things changed even if it was not part of the agreement. I do not mind fixing things to make it right. However, I feel that **************** is taking advantage on the situation where the project has been completed and now, she wants a refund. I do not believe this is a fair request from **************** and I have no choice but to seek legal counsel regarding the complaint. Let me know if you have any questions.
  

  Customer response

  09/19/2022

  Fri, Sep 16, 2:48 PM (3 days ago)
  to Better
  
  I have recently noticed spots in the landscape rock, that appear to be from leaks in the irrigation, there should not be any leaks IF Alfaro Lawn Care installed 100% new irrigation as agreed, the leaks appear to be where original irrigation was when I first moved into my home in March 2021. You will be able to pull up my address on Zillow and get a good idea where shrubs and trees were at that time, I hope for Wilsons sake, he did not take advantage of me, more than he already has, but had no problem taking my money. I will now locate a licensed contractor, thru a list on the **** site, to confirm if they are leaks or not, Alfaro Lawn Care needs to be 100% responsible for any bad irrigation lines, on top of the $7000 that I already need. I will forward my report to you once I have it.
  
  Thank you,
  ***********************

  Business response

  09/19/2022

  ***Document Attached***
  Please see attached agreement. Plants were not included in the agreement. Please make a note.
  See Attachment/File: *********************** Agreement_3.2.2022.pdf

  Business response

  09/19/2022

  ***Document Attached***
  additional statement from Alfaro Lawn Care
  See Attachment/File: Additional Information_9.19.2022.docx

  Customer response

  09/21/2022

  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) ***See attached documents***
  I paid Wilson a total of $1250.00 even though his contract states less. He did not place any plants in back planter, as contract states, we verbally agreed that if he installed the irrigation for the new plants in the back planter, that I would purchase my own plants and do the planting IF he properly planted everything in the front yard which included adding fertilizer and watering stakes, the watering stakes were not added, but I complained and he did send back a crew to install them on 4 trees, I paid for the tree stakes and watering stakes on the bigger tree in the front yard but his crew installed them.
  
  YES, I did state everything looked amazing BUT, it did with the original installation. I received a lot of complements but within 6 weeks, the complements stopped instead it was "Oh My God *****, what happened to your beautiful yard. I have attached receipts and what I'm willing to accept now that I've done more research and have received better pricing. If Wilson does not want to refund any money, then he should do everything himself. I'm trying hard to work thru you to avoid contractors board filing. Wilson is a nice guy, just needs to make sure his work is properly completed. Since we are not verbally, on good terms, he can deliver any of the items or will call it at *********** in my name and refund me on for nursery along with arborist. In turn I will eat cost with new contractor which will include materials and labor.
  See Attachment/File: ****** - Rebuttal ********.pdf

  Business response

  10/02/2022

  Good afternoon, 

  In response to the complaint on **************** with the desired settlement of $7000,it is not possible to refund the amount. Please keep in mind, the amount paid by *************** was to add more concrete. It does not specify any agreement on plants. That is a huge difference. I, myself would like to reach some form of a middle ground to get this complaint resolved and here are the below terms of which my team will able to complete:

  1. Purchase the soil to mix with the natural sand/dirt in the planter in the backyard with fertilizer (4 tons)
  2. Replace the dead plants (one time replacement - minimum of 25 plants @ 5 gal. each) - please note this was not part of the agreement - FREE of Charge
  3. Clean the concrete and wall in the backyard with power wash - please keep mind this is not in the agreement and this should be a home owner's responsibility to maintain and upkeep their own yard
  4. Check and inspect all the irrigation - any broken/malfunction valve, irrigation pipe or PVB mainline will be replace by Alfaro Lawn Care 

  Please let me know if **************** is in agreement to the above terms so I can set aside a date to have it completed. I would like to close this case as soon as we can. This is my final offer and if we do not come up with an agreed terms, I am in the process of already consulting legal counsel.

  Let me know if you have any questions.

  Sincerely,

  Wilson Alfaro, Owner
  Alfaro Lawn Care

   

  Customer response

  10/03/2022

   
  Complaint: 18115024
  
  I am rejecting this response because these are the responses to the following statements:

  1. Purchase the soil to mix with the natural sand/dirt in the planter in the backyard with fertilizer (4 tons) - WOULD RATHER HAVE 20 BAGS OF 1.5 CUBIC FEET OF MIRACLE GROW, DELIVERED TO MY BACK YARD, STACKED ON CONCRETE, OR PAY FOR WILL CALL SET UP AT ********** CLOSEST TO ME AND I WILL PICK IT UP MYSELF WITH HELP FROM A FRIEND
  

  2. Replace the dead plants (one time replacement - minimum of 25 plants @ 5 gal. each) - please note this was not part of the agreement - FREE of Charge -  THIS WAS IN THE CONTRACT THAT I SIGNED, TO PLANT NEW PLANTS IN BACK PLANTER, IT WAS SOMETHING WILSON ADDED TO GET THE **** BUT WE AGREED VERBALLY THAT IF WILSON & HIS CREW PLANTED ALL THE ***** AND PLANTS THAT I PURCHASED IN THE ***** YARD ALONG WITH 3 ***** IN THE BACK YARD THAT WOULD INCLUDE FRESH PLANTING SOIL AND NECESSARY SUPPORT POSTS ALONG IN-GROUND WATERING STAKES AND WHATEVER ELSE IS NEEDED TO PLANT PROPERLY THAT HE WOULD NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE ***** FIVE GALLON BACKYARD PLANTS AND INSTALL THEM, THAT I WOULD PURCHASE AND PLANT MY OWN PLANTS AS LONG AS HE INSTALLED THE IRRIGATION LINES.  SO YES THAT WAS PART OF THE AGREEMENT!!!  I RECENTLY PAID A GOOD LEGIT COMPANY TO TRANSPLANT ONE OF THE GOPHER PLANTS, AS IT APPEARED TO BE DYING FOR SOME REASON, INSTALL 5 MORE PLANTS WITH PROPER SOIL MIX AND PROTECTIVE FENCING TO KEEP THE RABBITS OUT, WHICH I PROVIDED THE MATERIALS, ENDED UP IT WAS JUST A BAD EMITTER ON THE GOPHER PLANT, EMITTER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH A NEW PLANT, ALL OF THE PLANTS ARE LOOKING BETTER THAN THE *** THEY PLANTED THEM INCLUDING THE GOPHER PLANT THAT WAS TRANSPLANTED. WAS ADVISED HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WEATHER, IT WAS A MATTER OF HOW THINGS WERE PLANTED WHICH WAS IMPROPER. I GET WILSON WAS NOT HERE THE WHOLE TIME HIS EMPLOYEES WERE DOING THE WORK, EVEN THOUGH THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS HE PROMISED TO GET ME TO SIGN THE CONTRACT.  IN THE FUTURE, I WILL MAKE SURE EVERY LITTLE CHANGE IS IN WRITING AND ACTED UPON!
  

  3. Clean the concrete and wall in the backyard with power wash - please keep mind this is not in the agreement and this should be a home owner's responsibility to maintain and upkeep their own yard - I ALSO PAID TO HAVE MOST OF THE CONCRETE REMOVED FROM MY ONE YEAR OLD BLOCK WALLS, I WILL HAVE TO FINISH THE REST MYSELF WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOLER BUT THE PERSON WILL BE BACK TO HELP ME.  IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONCRETE INSTALLER TO NOT CAUSE DAMAGE TO ONES PROPERTY.  I HAD CONCRETE POURED AT MY PREVIOUS HOME, IN THE BACK YARD, BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE AND EVEN EXTENDED OUT THE DRIVEWAY, NOT ONE CONCRETE CONTRACTOR SPLATTERED CONCRETE ON ANY SECTION OF MY BLOCK WALLS!

  4. Check and inspect all the irrigation - any broken/malfunction valve, irrigation pipe or PVB mainline will be replace by Alfaro Lawn Care - THE CONTRACTOR WHO RECENTLY PROPERLY INSTALLED NEW PLANTS CHECKED MY IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND FOUND NO LEAKS, EXPLAINED WHY SOME SECTIONS APPEAR TO LOOK WET AND SHOWED ME HOW TO CHECK IT IN THE FUTURE, INSTALLED NEW EMITTERS WHERE NEEDED, PROPERLY CUT THE ARTIFICIAL TURF AROUND THE ***** IN THE BACK YARD, WILSON'S CREW HAD CUT SQUARES AROUND THE ***** BUT WERE UNEVEN, DID NOT NOTICE HOW UNEVEN THEY WERE UNTIL I REMOVED THE CHUNKY ROCK WILSON'S CREW PLACED IN AND AROUND THE SQUARE CUTOUTS, SO DUE TO THE UNMATCHED CUTS, THE NEW LANDSCAPER HAD TO CUT THEM 16 INCHES FROM CENTER, MAKING A NICE CIRCLE WHICH ACTUALLY MADE IT LOOK 100% BETTER, THAT ALONE WAS $30/**** (3 TOTAL).

  WHAT I WANT IS THE FOLLOWING WHICH I STATED IN MY PREVIOUS MESSAGE, THE $7000 WAS THE ORIGINAL OFFER UNTIL I FOUND OUT IT WAS JUST ANOTHER BUSINESS TRYING TO RIP ME OFF, SO I HAD SEVERAL MORE ESTIMATES AND 3 AGREED THAT THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I NEED SO I'M WILLING TO GO WITH IT...

  *20 BAGS OF THE 1.5 CUBIC FEET OF MIRACLE PLANTING SOIL WILL CALLED UNDER MY NAME AND CELL NUMBER, AT THE ********** ON SERENE AND *************** OR WILLING TO ACCEPT $300

  *REFUND FOR STAR NURSERY, BUT WILLING TO ACCEPT $800 OF STAR NURSERY FEES (DOCUMENT SUBMITTED PREVIOUSLY TO BBB)

  *REFUND FOR MR **** TO FERTILIZE ALL PLANTS EXISTING AT TIME HE CAME OUT ON AUGUST 4TH $165 (DOCUMENT PREVIOUSLY TO BBB)

  *I HAVE ALREADY HAVE ALL THE IRRIGATION PARTS TO INSTALL NEW PLANTS WHICH I WILL PURCHASE, I ALSO HAVE PLENTY OF TUBING AND EMITTERS TO COMPLETE THE *** MYSELF BUT WILL MOST LIKELY HIRE SOMEONE.

  *****NOTE - I HAVE BEEN 100% HONEST WITH MY COMPLAINT,  I FEEL I WAS TOLD WHATEVER WILSON FELT I ***** TO HEAR TO GET THE CONTRACT SIGNE, OR WE JUST HAVE A SERIOUS COMMUNICATION PROBLEM WHICH I WILL NOT LET HAPPEN AGAIN WITH ANY OTHER CONTRACTOR!

  *******I FEEL MY OFFER IS MORE THAN FAIR

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Customer response

  10/07/2022

  Wilson Alfaro - Alfaro Lawn Care,

  
  

  This morning the contractors board informed me that you are NOT licensed thru the state of ******, said the number on your business card is just that a business license and gave me a contact number, which I left a voice message, also I went ahead and looked online to see if you have a business license and this is what I found... 

  
  

  Name	Status	Filing Date	Type	NV Business ID	Entity Number	Mark Number	Actions
  WILSON ALFARO	Cancelled	03/19/2021	NT7 Business License Sole Proprietor	NV20212046766	E13191802021-3

  
  

  Proving you have continued to lie, this is not good, I've been back and forth with you since April, you have been operating under a false license.  I've made several attempts to work with you, you only responded when I mentioned filing with the contractors board, forget my previous offer.  This is my new and final offer, $2700.00 to avoid further action, now that I know you did everything on a lie and continue to play business owner victim, I am counting the money I've paid out to other landscaper, the arborist, plants and fertilizers that I've already purchased and used, safety fencing guard for my new plants, my own personal time and labor, this will also include the previous items mentioned that I requested you to pay for (miracle grow & quick dam water barriers) so either comply or, since it was made clear to me that if I file a contractors board claim, action will be taken by the contractors board for operating on a non active license and whatever else they may chose to fine you for.  If you want this to end, send cashiers check to my home address in the amount of $2700.00 within 7 business days, in order for us to cut ties and go our separate ways.  

  
  

  *Your business license was cancelled one year prior to someone referring you to me

  *Your project has continued to cost me additional money, time, & my own physical labor

  *You've been running you business illegally

  
  

  I don't want to go the ****************************** route, but I will if you refuse to comply, and they will do what they do.

  
  

  I strongly suggest you pay me the $2700.00 put your business on hold, at least until you get a proper license or renew the old one.  

  
  

  ***********************

  ***Document attached /business card***

   

   

   

  Business response

  10/13/2022

  As I mentioned earlier, I have consulted a lawyer regarding this complaint. My attorney will contact **************** and provide documentation outlining the release of the complaint along with the $2,700.00 check within 10 days. By providing the monetary request to **************** does not indicate Alfaro Lawn Care is admitting to any wrong-doing but to settle and for **************** not to pursue any more complaints against the business. Any further communication will be directed to my attorney and I would like for this case to be closed. Thank you!

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩