[bevben]

We are part-time residents of TV and rely on landscape help 6 months of the year. We contacted All American Landscape, spoke to Cliff and he sent his nephew, David. David then proceeded to do about a 1/2 hours work....a little trimming and what he said was $100 of product. He promised me repeatedly that I could trust him to return every month while I was not there.......Now we can't even get him on the phone. He took my money and ran!!

[k2at]

You can add Sunscape Landscaping to this message also. He took my money and ran. I will be more descriminating next time.

[MelZ]

As a future landscaping customer the state of lanscaping in TV is causing sleepless nights. It seems like that business has only crooks or fly-by-night companies.

It would be great to hear about companies that are reputable and honest.

[Bryan]

Landscapers, Driveway Pavers/Painters, House Pressure Washers - all largely unregulated businesses in Florida. Landscapers who apply fertilizer or pesticides do need to be licensed by the Dept. of Agriculture though.

Because they are unregulated, and largely "cottage" industries, you get a fair amount of fly-by-night businesses. Since they intend to take your money and run anyway, they often offer their "services" at bargain prices - the hook that gets you. The ones that really intend to do some honest work have to charge for that work, which can make their prices look high compared to the scam artists.

The point is - don't pick your landscaper, driveway painter or house washer based solely on a bargain price quote - check em out, get references, check the BBB and Seniors Vs Crime, ask your neighbors, etc. Due Diligence will save you a lot of grief.

There are many, many honest, reliable companies in all of these services in and around TV. You mission, should you chose to accept it, is to find one that suits you.

[Skip2MySue]

Originally Posted by Bryan

Landscapers, Driveway Pavers/Painters, House Pressure Washers - all largely unregulated businesses in Florida. Landscapers who apply fertilizer or pesticides do need to be licensed by the Dept. of Agriculture though.

Because they are unregulated, and largely "cottage" industries, you get a fair amount of fly-by-night businesses. Since they intend to take your money and run anyway, they often offer their "services" at bargain prices - the hook that gets you. The ones that really intend to do some honest work have to charge for that work, which can make their prices look high compared to the scam artists.

The point is - don't pick your landscaper, driveway painter or house washer based solely on a bargain price quote - check em out, get references, check the BBB and Seniors Vs Crime, ask your neighbors, etc. Due Diligence will save you a lot of grief.

There are many, many honest, reliable companies in all of these services in and around TV. You mission, should you chose to accept it, is to find one that suits you.

Bryan,
That's great advice but when you live in New Jersey and need to organize any or all of the above it's very difficult to go thru the process you suggested. We need to line these things up prior to our closing in July and are on the look out for any help we can get. We need help sorting out the baddies from the goodies. That's were TOTV's comes into play. Any and all advise is then reviewed for use based on the experience that one and all have gained. If I were a full timer I'd be more then happy to share my experience with others to make their journey into the vendor world much easier and safer. It's not 100% fool proof but I'm sure it would be a major help.
Skip

[MelZ]

Originally Posted by Bryan

Landscapers, Driveway Pavers/Painters, House Pressure Washers - all largely unregulated businesses in Florida. Landscapers who apply fertilizer or pesticides do need to be licensed by the Dept. of Agriculture though.

Because they are unregulated, and largely "cottage" industries, you get a fair amount of fly-by-night businesses. Since they intend to take your money and run anyway, they often offer their "services" at bargain prices - the hook that gets you. The ones that really intend to do some honest work have to charge for that work, which can make their prices look high compared to the scam artists.

The point is - don't pick your landscaper, driveway painter or house washer based solely on a bargain price quote - check em out, get references, check the BBB and Seniors Vs Crime, ask your neighbors, etc. Due Diligence will save you a lot of grief.

There are many, many honest, reliable companies in all of these services in and around TV. You mission, should you chose to accept it, is to find one that suits you.

Bryan:

I choose to accept the mission but would appreciate good intelligence from the troops in the field. It sometimes is difficult to tell the difference between friend and foe that is where the secret agents of TOTV can provide invaluable data.

Mel

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Skip2MySue

Bryan,
That's great advice but when you live in New Jersey and need to organize any or all of the above it's very difficult to go thru the process you suggested. We need to line these things up prior to our closing in July and are on the look out for any help we can get. We need help sorting out the baddies from the goodies. That's were TOTV's comes into play. Any and all advise is then reviewed for use based on the experience that one and all have gained. If I were a full timer I'd be more then happy to share my experience with others to make their journey into the vendor world much easier and safer. It's not 100% fool proof but I'm sure it would be a major help.
Skip

Skip.

When we were getting ready to move into our home in The Villages, I had the same concerns. It was just this time of year and the weeds and grass here in Ohio were growing like..........weeds and grass do in Ohio.

I was panicked. We wouldn't be able to be there for a month after closing. We closed by mail. We were going to be written up and turned in and looked down upon by the neighbors and we hadn't even begun our lovely experience. I was told by others here on TOTV to relax, that the grass doesn't grow that fast, not nearly as fast as we were used to, and it was NOT over our head when we got there, not even shabby looking in a months time (???). We were able to ask the neighbors who they used for lawn services and we we then contracted with a person who charged us right around fifty dollars a month to cut, weed and trim. It is a small lot and in the two years it has been well kept by these reliable people.

Please don't worry. There are a lot of reliable folks here who care for lawns.

[Skip2MySue]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Skip.

When we were getting ready to move into our home in The Villages, I had the same concerns. It was just this time of year and the weeds and grass here in Ohio were growing like..........weeds and grass do in Ohio.

I was panicked. We wouldn't be able to be there for a month after closing. We closed by mail. We were going to be written up and turned in and looked down upon by the neighbors and we hadn't even begun our lovely experience. I was told by others here on TOTV to relax, that the grass doesn't grow that fast, not nearly as fast as we were used to, and it was NOT over our head when we got there, not even shabby looking in a months time (???). We were able to ask the neighbors who they used for lawn services and we we then contracted with a person who charged us right around fifty dollars a month to cut, weed and trim. It is a small lot and in the two years it has been well kept by these reliable people.

Please don't worry. There are a lot of reliable folks here who care for lawns.

Thanks Gracie,
I was afraid the sheep I count at night would have to be sub-contracted to lawn duty @ TV
Skip