We laid a lawn 4 months ago for a client, using a regular turf supplier. The area (circa 100sqm) that the lawn was laid on was dug over with a digger a couple of weeks before the lawn was laid and
2 lorry loads of topsoil was bought in and raked over the area.
Since then we have had a very wet summer and I know for a fact that during that time the lawn was still also being watered for a period of time until we visited and advised against it. There has also been tree surgery done on 3 trees where the only access would have been the lawn.
A well known lawn care franchise has visited this client as the client wanted to find out about feeding etc. maintenance. He had a field day verbally, dissing wherever he could, but on his form the only issue stated was compaction.
I have visited the lawn since the franchise visited to speak with the client and try to ease the situation a little. In my opinion there was enough top soil, but too much traffic, too much water and not enough mowing have caused week growth and a poor root structure.
Does anyone have any information to help me take this further? I don't want a disappointed client, but I also don't think I should be out of pocket for someone failing to maintain there own lawn on advise originally given when we left site. (I have laid a great deal of lawns and have never had an issue with such poor root growth - it has left the site viable to dandelions etc already) I also do not want to get into the accusation game and put blame on a clients failings, although we are sure they are there.
I know that these franchises are masterful in the up sell, after all they only have one way to make money...
Any guidance welcome...
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I would just offer to treat the weeds, apply a feed and see how it goes from there.
They owe for some hedge cutting from a week ago, I was thinking of writing this off and letting them use it for paying for 50% of the treatment from "the franchise"... Seems a shame to lose out, but I'd like to leave them happy.
any pictures. lawns can be awful within 6-12 months if not maintained.
what is the point returfing if client does not tend to it ??
probably why they needed it done by you in the first place !!
leave them to it . they will call you when they want some work done if they are regulars and appreciate you.
its easy to slag off work / a garden/ building work ......... harder to to it -
www.gardens4u.co.uk
If the client failed to follow your advice, then surely the condition of the lawn is down to them. As far as GT are concerned, well some of my clients use them, and their 'secret forumla treatment' does seem to work quite well (what is it?) but, I can't get away with charging £90 for 1/2 hour's scarifying......
Whats actually wrong with the lawn ?
Is it just a lack of colour ? - Overwatering can 'drown' the roots causing it to lose colour.
Are there bare patches ? - If so what caused them ? Dogs pee / client using weedkiller ?
How bad is the poor growth ? I'd say a new lawn laid 4 months ago is ready for a good feed plus as above overwatering wont encourage good growth as the roots cant breath and do their job properly.
What makes them think the lawn is compacted ? Even if a herd of wilderbeast had run all over the lawn 2 loads of topsoil wont compact that quickly to such an extent to cause problems. Try pushing a matchstick in and see how easily it goes in.
Franchises near me charge between £15 and £20 for a treatment for 100sqm - I'd guess 50% of your hedging work would be alot more than that!
Give it a good feed and a dose of iron, ensure that it is cut and watered properly and it will come back in no time.
Daniel Gillings @ DC Landscapes said:
The root structure is week and the grass growth very fine, there is a lot of soil now on show, where before there was lush grass. In the bare soil some weeds have managed to get a footing. The grass previously was a sorry state, lank grass and weedy. We did some other work in the garden and as part of the job re-did the whole lawn as the client was fed up with the weeds - however is seems to be reverting quite quickly to the original state. I've got some photos that I'll have to upload shortly.
GT have priced them for a yearly maintenance programme and the hedge cutting is 50% of that. I feel very much like the client will not pay that cash now anyway, as I can only really point the finger at them for the lawn as it currently stands. Over all not an ideal situation.
I'd go round and do the treatments myself etc, but I'd really rather not after all of this...
use a good spray to promote root growth & lawn tonic/ green up..... job done (charge them £50 for the gallon) tell them its cost / trade price as a favour (if you feel its worth it to gain / keep further business)
I know its hard to tell a customer that they have failed to keep their property in good shape, but sometimes it is a must. However they are unlikely to be ameniable to this suggestion from what you have said - Especially as Tom Thumb have spouted their bull and sown the seeds of doubt.
If the lawn was badly cared for and not cut / battered by boots on wet ground during tree work then its going to be looking as you describe in no short order! Politely explain that the poor condition is the result of less than ideal lawn care, and IMO offer say a couple of free Lawn care visits as others have suggested, throwing in some lawn cutting.
You cant get fairer than that, and any more and your going to get walked all over.
As for Tom Thumb Lawn care - They've told a client of mine that a near perfect lawn is in urgent need of treatment as its showing "excessive top growth and uneven root development". My client rang them on recomendation (I don't know how!) for dealing with Fly Agarics that keep popping up under their Birch trees.
Suffice to say total balls - Its one of my best lawns, Weed free, a nice even dark green, good 10-15mm growth each week in peak season (weekly cut), and about 15-20mm as it slows down to cuts fortnightly.
I,d be very careful about offering partial repairs to the lawn as it will be seen as an admission of guilt on your part. You can either tell them that the lawn was fine when you laid it so tough luck its their problem not yours, or endeavor to repair or even re lay the lawn at your own expense in order to keep them happy.
Don't get in a slanging match with green thumb, just tell her that if she wants them to work on the lawn then thats up to her but your not paying for it.
The hedge cut is a completely seperate job and should be billed and paid for regardless of anything else, but in reality if you walk away from the lawn problem then expect not to be paid.
Don't let the grass grow under your feet on this one !
That's sort of where I was too. I'm not admitting liability for their failure to maintain the lawn with clear instruction, and as I don't expect to be seeing this hedge money I figured I'd just right it off to let them spend it with whomever they want to do the repairs - don't fancy going myself as I figure they may end up being a bit of a nightmare...
Nice touch on "grass under your feet" ;)