Aries Yard Works

"Thank you member for the review and the Hire again as a yes."

"Hello Hello! And Thank You for the positive review. It was hot but I am glad we finally got the work done. Hope all is well with you and your property and that the Ivy is still under control. Best, Laura"

"Hi! It has been terrific working for you and we do miss going there. Not so much because of the work, but because it was also fun and having the dogs to play with as well. They are characters, for sure! I am happy to know you are so pleased with the work we have done so far. Having reclaimed so much was an inspiration to keep going! And staying in touch even after we had to stop going there is a bonus. Always available to communicate with you, Laura"

"Sorry you were not pleased. It would have been nice to know your thoughts before I left. As I recall, we did discuss the remainder of work to be done because of the amount of debris that had accumulated over a good period of time. I hope the front slope of overgrown organic material was addressed as well to bring your property under control and show off the few trees you still have left. Best, Laura"

"The grass and weeds and moss on all those pavers and areas surrounding the planter beds (and in the raised planters) all the way to 2 patios and on the heavily matted paths were pulled AND string-lined. Your yard was very overgrown with that and rizomes from a huge quince tree that had been removed. Not to mention the great job of pruning that large fig tree AND touching up the cherry next to it. We took up by the roots invasive ground cover and saved some of the plants you wanted that were CHOKED OFF with vines and assorted overgrowth. Roses, blueberry, Iris, and a bazillion tiny bulbs of other flowers we were careful with. Careful to not tread on the few asparagus sprouting up randomly. All debris carted off. Hauling it from the back to the front by the 52 gallon sized containers and tarps because no truck or trailer could access the back yard or get near it. It is a wonderful, antiqued yard with a sense of romance and peaceful reading that was left unattended for a long time. You stated you were too busy to get to it and understood that we could only do so much for what you were going to spend. The quince rizomes-and there was A LOT,pulled up by the roots! By hand trowel and shovels- was your concern. Because it was not properly stump ground and treated. Cleaning up the weeds and grasses was a project in of itself! Pull up all that grass by hand??? From under pavers and sprouting out from under planter boxes and between plants and in them? The string-lining got into areas and down to the dirt to make it cleaner and easier. Moss scraped up to the point it was almost non-existent when done. A path revealed where once WAS one. I certainly remember you talking about the good work and how hard it was to keep rizomes down. By the way..they too were tall and thick and spread out to many feet around from the stump. Four people/5 hours and all that debris removed. You received beyond good work for a yard that was so overgrown with so much going on."

"Yes, up selling is part of doing business. It's called sales. When you are in the check out line why do you think the magazines and end-cap products are there? Why do you think "sale" items are partnered with compatible products that are not on sale? Angie's List is no different. They facilitate the sale of coupons so that the vendors may have an opportunity to up sell their services/products and the member has a discount on some services. I remember you well. We spoke for awhile about the front yard work. Then you took me around to a very large backyard with huge piles of dirt from an on-going project. We spoke of the best feasible way to remove some of it and move the rest to level the area. With equipment. Much other organic debris was still around. We spoke of our teenagers (you have a son and I do too) and the teenagers motivations to help around the house.LOL! We walked the right side yard to front of house where a long trench was already dug to put in a path. The work was halted because homeowners hit a gas line causing firetrucks, gas company and assorted other personnel to respond. You also mentioned issues with the retaining wall at its foot that that you and the neighbor were in disagreement about. The path was for sister who has difficulty walking and you wanted to accommodate her on visits so she can navigate your property on her own. I recommended a contractor to do that particular work. I spent much time with you and you were not charged for my time. As far as AL taking half..they take 30-35% of the sale of coupons. In addition, they receive monthly advertising fees and membership dues from customers. Sales. I'm the one who is uncomfortable! It pinches the wallet to do/stay in business. I do remember the conversation about that coming up when you asked how the $99 translates into $200 and what else you can get for that price. Hence, the walk around and discussion of potential costs for various things you were interested in getting done over time. Anyone who has done business with me knows that if there are potential other projects to be done, and the homeowner wants me to do it, that I accommodate budgets even more so.MY TRUST in the homeowner that it is a valid request and not a carrot hung out for free advice and work to not materialize. You kindly inquired how I can stay in business with such a great deal. We spoke of costs to you and me. AND...mention that your husband was not to know. He was not wanting to spend the money you wanted to spend even for the $99 deal. I performed the work when neither of you were to be around. Your request. Except your son. He came home and thought it was a good idea to have me there and we..I had a helper $$$ with no additional cost to you..were doing a great job. He mentioned he had enough to do with the back yard dirt piles! I cleaned up the driveway and put all debris in a small pick up you have for you to haul away the debris. I did a great job. Don't you remember telling me that? BTW:the email address you gave me was for your husband to not find out about the work till after the fact when you could convince him that it was money well spent. My good work helped support that..per you! Happy Holidays! PS..the day the work was done there was a car chase involving several law enforcement vehicles, blocked street and a man hunt. Your neighbor-retaining wall rival-came out and we talked about the state of the neighborhood since he moved in many years ago. From NY originally. Seemed like a nice man. He mentioned the wall and property line issues. It was a crisp, sunny day. January 17th, 2013. 9AM I started work. Great yard work day."

"Hello There! Been awhile. It was certainly nice to read your review. Honestly, I was wondering what happened to you. I did call a couple of times to get feedback. On the day of work you were busy with other matters so we didn't really get a good time to talk more about your property. But, I do remember you had some good ideas for the backyard. I hope all is well with you and your son. Thank you again for the review and I hope to hear from you soon Regards ~Laura"

"Hello Hello! Thank you for the A report. Yes, it was a large job and the find of the patio and steps up to it was fantastic. Although I think I bit my lip when my shovel hit that first hidden step! All good as it was unearthed and turned out to be lovely. When all was done you sat down on the bench in the backyard and were overwhelmed with the outcome. Happy and so looking forward to getting in plantings and herbs and having your mother visit to see the expansive "new" yard. I still feel good about the work done. May 15-17, 2013. Two 1/2 days of it.To have a response such as yours is truly an ultimate Thank You. We talked of the different area of your yard for different uses, how moving the rocks onto the slope next to the plants made it transform. I am glad we were able to clear the ivy off from the little cute blue wooden shed. Stinging bees and all! What a day THAT was! A large hive in, under and around the shed. Once they calmed down it was OK. Member-names cannot be mentioned- I hope you did get to do all you wanted to do with your property. It is a terrific hidden piece of land with so much character and potential. All the best with it and your family. ~Laura Iris"

"Thank you member for saying we did more work. Originally, your wife wanted quite a bit done. When you came home you whittled it down to a front slope that was thick with grass and weeds, and plantings that needed to be worked around. Material was deeply rooted and soil was very wet; which slides shovels and feet. No railroading here. Not my style. The additional cost was for disposal of sod (disposal in coupon details). Quite a bit of heavy, wet, muddy material. You and I did have extensive conversation about other projects on your property and you were looking for someone similar to the previous, personal, worker you had. After you disclosed to me what kind of person you were looking for, I politely declined stating I didn't think it would be a good fit. You only wanted to use the coupon and I agreed. For the type of work and conditions-and you did state we did more work and it was good- you received a good deal. Glad you think you slighted me out of funds. Think about it: since you stated we did more work and did a good job wouldn't I know this? And it was agreed to be at coupon value only. I do good work. I have fair prices. I consider the individual homeowners. I don't feel slighted out of funds. Glad you think you didn't get taken by me..."weaseling". Good luck with your property."

"Thank You [removed member name] for your review! I was very happy that the weather cooperated with the project. Wishing you all the best with your property! ~Laura"

"Hello Hello! Glad to know you were so pleased with our work. We really enjoyed working there. Your comment on us being professional is very welcome. Although we like to joke around and try to make the day go easier, the fellas do know how to behave! Thank you Again and I hope all is still well with you and your property. ~Laura, Nick, John, Daniel, Chris"