After speaking with and comparing prices from various local landscapers, we hired TurfScape in April of 2016 to put in a lawn at our home in Glocester. The owner of TurfScape, Tyler Araujo, was eager for the work and provided us a reasonable estimate for loam, grass seed, fertilizer and labor. We stressed to him that we needed the project to be completed as soon as possible, as we were hosting a large outdoor party in August and wanted to ensure, above all, our lawn would look great. Tyler stated that he'd "push off some other stuff" to get started on our lawn within a week and a half." He also added, "I will overseed in the fall at no charge to you and I guarantee my work."
He and two others came to our home, as scheduled, and in one day spread loam, grass seed and fertilizer. He gave us instructions to keep the loam watered on a regular basis and shortly we could expect a beautiful lawn. He added that he'd be back in a week or two to monitor the progress and do whatever was necessary to have the lawn he promised he could deliver. We paid him the balance due, as was our agreement.
After three weeks, 75 percent of the area was covered in heavy weeds. No grass, just weeds. We called Tyler who said he'd be up in two days and remedy the problem. He never appeared, nor did he call. From that point on, we phoned and texted him on a regular basis, sending pictures of our lawn of weeds, reminding him of our time constraint -- and of course, biting our tongues in the hope to get the job done. On the rare occasion that he did answer his phone, he would promise to be out on such-and-such a day. I can recall at least five instances where we juggled work and other obligations to meet him on a scheduled day and on every occasion he never showed, didn't call, made no excuses for this mess that he left us to deal with. It remained a disaster through the entire summer.
In September, much to our shock, we received a phone call from Tyler stating he would be at our house the following Saturday to "fix" our lawn. He and a couple others showed up around 1:00, moved an aerator around and threw some seed for 20 minutes (yes, I timed them) and left. I don't know what the goal was there. It certainly didn't kill a single weed or produce a blade of grass. This spring, one year later, we consulted a professional, who advised us to start the process over again in an attempt to salvage what was left, spending more money, time and energy. Coincidentally, while looking through the Foster Home Journal, I saw an ad for TurfScape LLC, Scituate, RI and knew the time had come.
In conclusion, I want to say that we've tried to hire local trade people for different home repairs and have been successful for the most part. Never, in the past thirty years, have I ever experienced a so-called "professional," who showed such a complete lack of pride and responsibility for his own work or trade. It's amazing that someone this young has developed such a fine skill of fraud and dishonesty. Maybe if he put half of that effort into his "trade," he'd have a successful business -- and maybe a little pride too. read more