I employed Bonners Landscaping to rectify a drainage issue and to rebuild a stone path on my property. I asked to have a master plan drawn up for me to choose which areas to landscape AFTER the drainage and stonework were completed. Scott Bonner started the work, billing me in excess of $5000 per month with the disclaimer "towards landscape renovation" printed on the invoice. I repeatedly asked Scott and the landscape architect, Michael Baldwin, to present me with the plan for the path and walkway, and accepted their rationalizations as to why the stone work had not been started.in the initial meeting it was agreed that the architect would spend approx 20 hrs on my project - This 20 hrs turned into almost $5,000... If I had known what would happen next, I would have gladly taken that plan and RUN!
I woke up one morning to see several HUGE trees moving across my lawn... Scott Bonner came to my property without scheduling an installation, and without ever discussing pricing or my ideas on what the next move should be.
We had discussed many times that we would tackle ONE area at a time to make sure that we were headed in the right direction, but that morning, while I was sleeping, Bonners crew came and LEVELED my property of the mature growth and landscaping that I had only desired to "tweak."
My driveway was completely stripped of the trees and bushes that completely lined it from the street to the entrance, and ALL of the bushes and trees that had been acceptable to me when I purchased this $2M dollar home were removed, leaving mud, exposed irrigation lines, and large holes where the mature trees and shrubs had been.
The plantings that had lined my house were taken away or planted in the woods beside my home, at my expense, and WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION.
The outdoor lighting was strewn about and broken, irrigation lines were left exposed, and the drainage issue much worse with the exposed mud and drainage pipes not tied into the french drain that Bonner installed.
I made it very clear that I did not want to destroy the soft and natural ambience of my property WHEN I decided to move into each area, however, when i woke that morning there was not a trace of the soft barrier of trees, honeysuckle, and other woodsy and natural looking vines that had created the warm and natural ambience that had attracted me to the property in the beginning.
Japanese maples, magnolias, and other perfectly wonderful trees were uprooted and tossed into the woods beside my house to make room for the (6)$1,000 trees and $13,000 of shrubs, bushes, and installation fees... THAT WERE NEVER DISCUSSED OR AUTHORIZED.
After collecting $30,000 in landscaping fees, Scott Bonner felt justified in leaving my property in the condition that I described. I had been impressed with Scotts demeanor, and had trusted that the work would be done professionally. When I walked my property I was appalled at the condition, and even more disgusted by Scotts indignant attitude and disrespect for a clients rights.
Scott Bonner has stolen $30,000 from this client by performing services that were not authorized, and did not complete work that was slated to be done with the $ that he received.
My attorney will deal with Mr. Bonner, and i hope that my experience and extra expense will serve to warn Scott Bonners' next prospective client to look elsewhere for landscaping services.
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