Imagine investing £11,000 into a landscaping project only to be left with a garden that looks like a disaster zone. That’s exactly what happened to Richard Newton, who now feels he “can’t trust anyone” after his recent experience with a local landscaping firm.
A Disastrous Landscaping Job
Richard Newton, a 55-year-old warehouse supervisor from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, had high hopes when he hired D&F Landscape UK through an advertisement on Bark. The two workmen who responded quoted him £19,000 for the job. Newton and his wife were shown three properties in Nottinghamshire where the firm had supposedly completed successful projects. Convinced by the glowing reviews and seemingly solid references, they decided to go ahead.
The Costly Mistake
Newton initially paid £1,000 to secure the booking and then forked out another £5,500 and £4,000 as work progressed. However, he encountered issues with his bank, which flagged the payments, expressing mistrust towards the landscapers. Despite this, he proceeded, only to regret it when the quality of work fell short. The landscapers began the job over the May Bank Holiday, promising completion within three weeks. Instead, they abandoned the project, leaving his garden and driveway in ruins.
The Fallout
As the job remained unfinished, Newton had to bring in another company to start from scratch. The workmen’s machinery even caused damage to his driveway, which was supposed to be repaired but never was. Newton has been forced to dip into his pension savings to cover the additional costs, a situation that will have long-term financial repercussions.
Seeking Redress
Fuming and feeling deceived, Newton is now deeply distrustful of contractors. He’s frequently questioning the new landscapers to ensure they stick to their promises. “I don’t trust anyone anymore,” he admits, adding that getting the money back seems unlikely.
Newton has reported the issue to Nottinghamshire Police and the Bark website. A spokesperson from Bark expressed regret over Newton’s unfortunate experience and assured that they are committed to maintaining high service standards. They mentioned that actions, including removing provider profiles, could be taken if a provider fails to meet those standards.
Response from D&F Landscape
D&F Landscape UK has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
In the meantime, Richard Newton’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of thoroughly vetting contractors and the risks involved in substantial upfront payments.
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