ComplaintsforSouthern Solutions Hardscapes

• Initial Complaint

  01/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Following recommendation I went under agreement in 11/2021 for $47,300. Southern Solution Landscape was to follow the landscape architecture plan provided. This plan included final grade, irrigation, lawn, platings etc...We paid a retainer up front. Over time we provided additional money to mitigate the price of increasing materials up to $28,570. Brad has never shown up and provided any work against the agreement so we terminated him. He has refused to refund our money which has caused us to take further action to recover it. He has sent us communication saying he is stuck with building material and under advise of his lawyer will have no further contact.

  Business response

  01/22/2023

  We first began by removing 19 trees in early March of 2022. I then met Mr. ****** several times to go over things like where the electrcian would install outlets and access to wire up irrigation. When we removed trees in March we also moved and bermed up areas to try and prevent excessive water runoff onto the neighbors property. In early May I met again to determine the progress of the builder and pool installation. Still the landscaping was no where near being ready to go in due to the house being incomplete . On September 2nd 2022 we went back to the property and installed wheat straw bales to again try and prevent the runoff into neighbors property. Moved some dirt behind the bales. In mid September 2022 I met with Mr. ******, the builder and Mr.***** to discuss the revised landscape plan and the drainage issues. House still no where near complete. Late Sept 2022 just prior to hurricane Ian Mr. I received emails and calls from Mr. ****** about the drainage being done prior to the storm. I was at the coast during this time boarding up the house and told him we could get on it after the storm. My last communication with him was 9-28-22. Late October 2022 I send 3 of my guys to go out and start trenching for the drainage. The drainage materials would be carried to the site once it was trenched. My guy calls me and says that all of the drainage was already installed. I then get a call ( after no communication for a month) from Mr. ****** saying he had hired someone else to do the landscaping. I was totally taken off guard because he had given me no indication of any changes. I also never received a revised landscaping plan so my guys were using the original plan. Now, the contract we have states "This agreement may be terminated without cause by written notice of either party. I never received any regular or certified mail stating he terminated the contract. I did not breach the contract Mr. ****** did. He also failed to mention he picked up a envelope with cash In December in his white Honda sedan. I retained legal counsel in regards to this breach in the contract. Counsel was also made aware that the 3rd party, who will go unmentioned for now was the reason he breached the contract. He said negative things and probably influenced Mr. ******s decision . I am not the bad guy here. He breached the contract. Radio silence for a month then just up and terminated the agreement without writing as stated in the contract. There was no start or completion date on the contract it was listed as to be determined because of the builders progress. For him to say we never showed up is not true. He did not communicate.

  Customer response

  01/23/2023

  Regarding the tree service which was $6K, that Brad subcontracted, they cut down trees and piled them up at the back of the property.  He told me for months that the guys would be coming back to complete the job

  of cutting up the trees but they never showed up.   Bottom line Brad never completed the job he was contracted to do, I had to pay someone additional money to cut the wood and haul off the pine that his subcontractor

  wanted.   Regarding the the landscaping, we have communicated that after no satisfaction on the tree removal and no one showing up on the drainage that we were terminating the agreement and have asked for a refund.  

  Business response

  01/25/2023

  Due to pending Civil Litigation my attorneys have advised me to say nothing more. He breached the contract!

• Initial Complaint

  04/28/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I entered into a contract with this business on 10/24/21 with a check in the amount of $9,430 for a materials deposit. Landscaping work was to begin immediately as to not hamper the builder's progress on finishing the house. On 12/01/21 another check in the amount of $26,780 was given for the balance of materials which included trees, mulch, lighting, pipe, natural stone, plants and irrigation. Work only began in March 2022 when the house was almost finished. This company only built 3/4 of one retaining wall (three walls were in the landscaping plan), added drain pipes to the downspouts. We had to be replaced the whole front section of downspout drains due to poor workmanship and broken pipe. They actually had water draining into my basement. I have continually asked this company to show me receipts for the materials that were suppose to have been purchased or have the materials on site and I have seen absolutely nothing. There was always an excuse to NOT be at the property. I would like my money returned for all the services that were paid for but not given. To date, this company has spent maybe $4,000 on materials and has kept the rest of my money. The company name and address on my proposal is below: Southern Solutions Landscaping ***** ********** Hwy Lyman, SC 29365 864-******** This is different than what's listed in the BBB listing but the phone number is the same.

  Business response

  05/09/2022

  This lady owes me money for the work we completed. 

  Customer response

  05/09/2022

  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. 

   

  I gave this business a total amount of $36,210 to purchase materials - $9,430 on 10/26/21 and $26,780 on 12/1/21. This business spent at most $5,000 on materials. To date, the company built three fourths of ONE retaining wall (three were to be built) and put in draining. I had to rip out the drain work performed because of faulty workmanship (broken drain pipes that leaked) and start over. We asked from the very start to have all materials on site so the work could be done in a timely manner. No materials were brought to the site and no invoices were ever given to me to show materials had been purchased. I would like the remaining balance returned since they did not complete the work on the contract. The original monies were to pay for retaining wall blocks and caps, trees, mulch, lighting, pipe, natural stone, plants and irrigation. Again, only three fourths of one retaining wall was completed by this company. Nothing else. I have no idea why he thinks I owe him money when he has not completed the work and he has my money. Why would a company keep money for work they never completed? 

   

  I have been contacted by others in the Greenville area and Lake Keowee community with situations just like mine with this same company. This company collected money upfront for materials and then never completed the work. Just vanished and never returned calls. This is a patterned criminal behavior. 

  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ******

*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. ↩