Don't hire Devon Dodd
 

When I moved here I was told by my realtor that I could depend on contractors working in The Villages. Any contractor that did not perform as promised would never work in The Villages again. My wife and I hired Devon to separate two stone areas in our front yard. What a disaster. He failed to show up when promised. When he did finally show up,he said he would have to get a half load of dirt to level the area for the blocks. Several days later we were told by his wife that he was sick and they couldn't afford the medicine. We gave them the balance of the money. Days later we noticed Devon working on another job. When we called to ask when we were going to have our messed up front yard finished, we got a lengthy text from his wife that he was overwhelmed and wouldn't be able to finish our job. We had to. Hire another landscaper to finish.

This also happened to our neighbor. Others in our villa neighborhood, Barrineau Villas, have had similar problems with improperly planted palm trees (the one across the street is dying), poor customer service, threats, and more.

Devon Dodd has proven to be just the sort of contractor we were told wouln't be allowed to work in The Villages.

Ovbviously your "realtor", whoever that was, had no idea what she was talking about. TV has no way of knowing all the landscape contractors that are working in The Villages. Have you called Home Warranty for a recommendation of a contractor? Checked with BBB? Asked any neighbors that have been satisfied with work they have had done? Read any happy folks on TOTV? BTW how did you hear of Devon?
DON'T EVER PAY IN ADVANCE FOR ANYTHING.

The villages is like any other town it doesn't control the contractors who work here, the developer can never hire again a sub contractor who does a bad job. That doesn't stop bad contractors from offering their services or lack there of to people living here.

Sorry you had a bad experience and thank you for the warning for the rest of us.

I don't know Devon or you, but you paid him, although he didn't show up on time, and the same thing happened to others in your area?


He works in the villages, but not FOR The Villages? I am just trying to understand. The Villages does not have any control who does landscaping here. There are many, many landscapers who work here. I am just guessing that your agent might have said that if they worked for The Villages they are to be trusted. I am NOT trying to put you down, just to clarify for new people here so that your post can help them.


It is always wise NOT to pay a contractor ahead of time. AND I am very sorry that this happened. You should contact Seniors Vs. Crime at the Sumter county building on 466 near Morse.

I notice that usually when someone starts a thread about a business deal that went awry, somebody will eventually advise going to the BBB. Here is why that is not a good idea.

I am pretty sure that you misunderstood your broker. What the broker was probably referring to was the contractors employed by The Villages to build your home and surrounding infrastructure. I wonder how anyone could believe that The Villages has control over someone you personally call up on the telephone and hire.

Land"scalper" Problem
 

Time to contact Seniors Against Crime through Sumter County Sherriffs Dept. Since this particular guy is working steadily in the same Villa area, get tag numbers & vehicle descriptions, etc. that will help them track him down. This is NOT and isolated problem in The Villages...happens all the time! Good Luck...

We found a Wonderful Landscaper
 

Remember, even tho' this is TV, it is still a free market place, and no one can be banned from doing business - ALL the streets are public!
Your Realtor told you wrong, and I would definitely let them know!
Many people get excited to "get going" with their improvements, and make quick decisions - that's never good in any case. Always ask friends & neighbors, even strangers at the pool are willing to give advise.
We waited 9 months to make our decision, carefully watching what others did, then asking for references. My sister & her husband went door to door for referrals.
We finally chose "JAMIE'S LANDSCAPING" (sometimes you'll see it spelled "Jaime's", but still the same company).
WHAT A PLEASURE! Jamie was born and raised in Lady Lake, and one day when Jamie was in high school (obviously because of his work ethic) was approached by a childless man in his 80's who was still in the lawn business. He mentored Jamie & encouraged him to landscape. When the man died, he left his small business to Jamie. Now 20 years later, Jamie has built a great reputation all his own. He is honest and hard working & personable, and so is his crew! All polite. We paid NO money down, he would take no money after 1 1/2 days of work and asked that we pay him when he is done, and we are happy. OUR YARD IS SO BEAUTIFUL NOW! :pepper2: What a change! Somehow I trusted Jamie to take over the design, as I am typically a micro-manager. I am familiar with yards & plants in Florida because I've lived here all my adult life & then some, so I had everything planned, BUT Jamie's plan completely outdid my plan and all my expectations!
Jamie tells me he works mostly north of 466A fixing landscape problems, and even tearing it all out and starting over again because the owners are so disgusted. He said it was refreshing to do our yard, because it wasn't a "re-do". Jamie's work is all word of mouth, because he doesn't have to advertise & send out mailers!
The yard, driveway & street were cleaned after the end of each workday. I respect that they take the weekend off, and applaud him for that. So we expect him back on Monday to finish, and I will keep you posted... Mary

Yes, contact Seniors vs Crime! Doubtful if they will get any money back for you but it will create a file so others will not get taken.

Always check with Seniors vs Crime to see if there are unresolved complaints against any person or company BEFORE hiring them.

Guy and Connie 1103: I read your post and I am left with the impression that this guy is making an effort to honor his commitments and he had has run into some very bad luck. The fact that he couldn't afford medicine to treat his ailments speaks volumes about his financial situation. I suspect that he does what many contractors do here and over committed not wanting to lose a job creating a time management problem for himself.

I recognize all of this is not your problem but I wonder if his actions warrant public rebuke? Perhaps I am too soft hearted?

As to the suggestion regarding Better Business Bureau as a business manager for many years I often wondered how they ever stayed opened because they just are not responsive to consumers needs.

I understand your frustration


Personal Best Regards:

WOW, how gullible can you get? Do you really believe that story about he couldn't afford his medicine? If he over committed then why didn't he return the money he recieved? He is stealing plain and simple. He was able to work on another customers property so how sick was he? Telling the customer they would have to find another landscaper and not refunding the money is fraud. Where do you see he is making an effort to honor his commitment?

MaryRDH, How would one go about contacting Jamie?

How did you find this guy? If he was recommended by your Realtor they could be held liable for your $ loss.

Hi Shimpy: gullible or non judgmental you choose the label but in my view what difference does it really make. For example his wife says they could not afford medicine what difference does it make if its true or not at that point the effect was the same and the money not returned so at that point in time it didn't matter which was true or untrue because it didn't get to the heart of the matter.

I held back on my first post because I did not want to be in the position to suggest options for the OP because the OP did not ask for any. All of what the OP says of the contractor and his wife is a he says she says scenario.

I spent my entire career testing the veracity of people and have learned the best approach is to be non-judgmental because any preconceived notions lead to confirmation bias. You call it gullible I call it a method to determine the real from the perceived. Never would I jump to conclusions because if its skullduggery afoot the actor will eat your lunch always would I take the level headed approach so as not to have body language etc. be a give away
If I had been an LOE I would have been the good cop


Personal Best Regards

Boy HOWDY.