CELTIC CREATIONS

Although Celtic Creations performed the work they were contracted to do. When they handed me the bill it was several hundred dollars more than agreed upon. When I asked why they said that the stone they applied at the bottom of my deck stairs next to the driveway was an extra and that between that and the fact they went over on hours was the reason for the addage on the invoice. When I called her up to discuss it she said she had her kid in the car and didn't want to discuss it and that she was not there to discuss it but to pick up her check. I was prepared to meet her somewhere in the middle if we found that we had a misunderstanding. I informed her that since she was being unprofessional and unreasonable that I was only going to pay her for the contracted amount as that was all I was obligated to do. I am a tradesman myself and if I ever screwed up an estimate and lost money on a job, I at it. I didn't try to bill the customer for my mistake. Also I asked her three times to be more specific on her contract because I wanted to know exactly what I was getting and how much it would cost.

They did a nice job on the front. and along the wood line. The hedges never got trimmed, at the days end Amanda knocked on my door and we went over what was done and where they were at. She said she would be back the next day to complete the clean up along the wood line but mentioned she was getting close on hours. At no point did she mention Extra, added cost or over budget. The next thing I know I was getting an in voice for $1031.86. I emailed her and asked what happened to the original proposal. She said this included extra labor & material for the stone next to the barn (which was the wrong color and size stone). She did offer to correct it at no additional cost but I felt I was already being billed for additional costs as this was in the proposal. After a couple of back and forth emails I asked that she come over and meet with me, to come to some sort of agreement. She said she would be over at the agreed time. When she showed up I asked her to sit down and she said she couldn't because she had her kids in the car. I said I thought you were coming over to discuss the invoice to which she said "I'm coming over to pick up a check" As far as she was concerned there was no discrepancy and she wanted the full amount of the invoice. At this point I told her that I had discussed this with my wife and that if it was determined that we had misunderstanding that I would be willing to split the difference (an additional $144.25) which would have brought the total to $887.75. I also informed her that because of her attitude and unwillingness to reach an agreement that all she was getting was the original $744.50. I also told her that legally, morally and ethically that was all I was obligated to pay. I gave her a check for the total of the original proposal and sent her on her way. She was not happy. Amanda needs to learn how to estimate, communicate, write clear, detailed proposals and learn how to calmly and effectively handle any mis-communications that may arise on the job. I would definitely not recommend Celtic Creations based on this experience.

There are several things I liked about Celtic Creations: 1. Flexibility of service: they were happy to come up with a plan for the entire yard, were happy to work with my limitations and desires. 2. They listened when I said I wanted something relatively low maintenance. They put in a mix of plants and shrubs with some blooming all year round. 3. I generally like their taste in what they decided to put in. 4. They seem to lean towards more naturalistic landscaping, which I appreciate. I think the work may have come in a little higher than the estimate, but I probably also added a few things for them to do so they probably estimated about right. Overall, I'm really happy with them and the work they did (and continue to do, I'm still using them for maintenance).