Wow! I'm surprised that he had anything positive to say at all (he did mention that the patio and hardscaping look good). First of all, we have been with Angies List for many years.Nowhere is there another complaint such as this one. If there was, then one would expect there to be numerous reviews echoing similar complaints made by Mr.[Member Name Removed]'s and thereby establishing a track record of poor performance by my company-not the case. There are always two sides (and sometimes more) to any story, and that is how I would characterize this as it is full of unsubstantiated allegations, Mr.[Member Name Removed]'s faulty memory recall (which I can support with written documentation), misrepresentation of the facts and misleading description of the work performed (remember, even he gave a positive review of the hardscape elements of the completed work). When I first met with Mr.[Member Name Removed], we did an extensive tour of his backyard (proposed work area) and the first thing we both agreed upon was that he had a drainage problem which was exacerbated by sustained periods of rainfall. There were several reasons for this: One, Mr.[Member Name Removed]'s property is located near the bottom of a steep slope that is the natural drain line to a tributary creek that feeds into Bear Creek. Because his property is near the end run of this slope, the runoff he receives (due to the natural drain line) is compounded by the other properties located above. Moreover, Mr. [Member Name Removed]'s property is located within the Cross Timbers eco-region characterised by rolling terrain with a thin topsoil and rocky ironite base substrata (thus making it very difficult to grow things-least of all grass, thereby making it imperative to focus on native plants that grow within this ecoregion). So when we are inundated with large amounts of rainfall over a sustained period of time (as was the case during the project, in fact, record amounts of rain), Mr.[Member Name Removed]'s property must bear the brunt of multiple properties draining onto his as well as the inabilty of the existing ground to absorb much of that drainage (as explained above). Two, as Mr.[Member Name Removed] mentioned, it was the North-East side of his property where the drainage problem occurred. There was insufficient fall for the surface drainage to move out quickly enough and therefore it would pond. In fact, Mr. [Member Name Removed] informed me that it could take several hours or days for the water to slowly drain off, but there had been times when the water had reached his backdoor. I am sure the property was correctly graded at the time of its construction, but over the years, increased surface runoff and sedimentation due to continued development had mitigated the effectiveness of the initial drainage grade work. Three, my drainage/Irrigation consultant also walked the property with me and based upon the abovementioned conditions, the only way to effectively and permanently resolve the drainage issue would be to install a SUMP PUMP drainage system. Mr. [Member Name Removed] also agreed and had in fact mentioned to me upon our first visit that this is what he believed to be the only proper solution. A bid for installing a sump pump drainage system was submitted but Mr.[Member Name Removed] declined to move forward with it as he did not want to make the investment as that would affect his ability in implementing other aspects of the proposed project. After further consultation, we agreed that it might be possible to address the existing drainage issue by working with the existing slope and natural drain lines by constructing a series of diversionary earthen berms (10-18"H). Additionally, The NE side was hand graded further to try and increase the fall gradient and avoid the pooling of surface drainage in that area. Unfortunately, we were inundated with record amounts of rainfall over several months during and after the project. The scope of the drainage work agreed upon was done in mind with a 'normal' amount of rainfall and not the deluge that we received. With or without the drainage work we undertook, only a SUMP PUMP system could have effectively dealt with the problem as a result of record rainfall and sustained period of rainfall and the collective surface runoff from the other properties. CONCERNING OTHER COMPLAINTS Whenever Walkabout Landscaping meets with a new client, we ALWAYS propose a COMPREHENSIVE vision that addresses not only the proposed areas for work, but how that fits into an overall, long-term phased approach (much like a jigsaw puzzle). The last thing you want is a botanical hodge podge as a result of 5 different companies with 5 different ideas. We always detail out an option if it makes aesthetic and economic sense to break a project into phases. This was no different with Mr.[Member Name Removed]. He was in fact presented with multiple options that addressed his ENTIRE back property per HIS REQUEST. Walkabout Landscape Co. did not 'sell' additional work. A Phase I plan was submitted within the context of the overall development plan with an exact estimate. All aspects of the work was detailed and carefully explained to Mr.[Member Name Removed]. Near the completion of Phase I, Mr. [Member Name Removed] and his wife were very satisfied with the work completed ( if not, why would he authorise us to proceed to Phase II?). Again, we DID NOT sell Mr. [Member Name Removed] on doing additional work. He also requested a bid separate from the landscape bid for installing a flagstone patio. It is misleading and untrue that Mr.[Member Name Removed] is suggesting that he was somehow 'talked' into agreeing on implementation of Phase II. Mr.[Member Name Removed] noted that he was afraid the walls might be structurally comprised due to the accumulation of water behind the walls and the leaking of that water out through the joints of the wall. I do not fault Mr.[Member Name Removed] for not being a stone mason nor fully understanding how or why things are constructed in a particular way. Weep holes are critical in constructing raised stone planters or retaining walls. Should water accumulate behind the wall, then it will do what it was engineered to do-allow water to seep out and not buckle/crack the structure. When we receive heavy flows of surface water over long periods of time, then there is only so much the ground can absorb and the excess will move on. The only effective way to deal with this is a sump pump drainage system. Mr.[Member Name Removed] has attempted to attribute blame for the drainage issues on the completed stone planters and new flower beds. Prior to starting the project, it was pointed out that removal of the mature plantings (shrubs, ground covers) on the sloped terrain behind an existing brick wall would decrease the absorption capacity of existing surface flows-at least until the new plantings could get established. Through nobody's fault, it was not expected that we would be inundated with the amount of record rainfall. The construction of these planters did not increase his drainage problem-there was already evidence that water had flowed over the top of the preexisting brick wall due to numerous cracks and buckling of the brick wall. Removal of the preexisting vegetation is the biggest contributor to the problem. Regarding the plantings: a detailed plant list was provided before work commenced. It was noted many times to Mr. [Member Name Removed] that if he wanted an instant privacy screen where the plants were actually touching each other upon installation, then that would require more plants at a certain gallon size in order to offer the desired height and width upon installation. This would have put the landscaping over budget. Therefore, it was recommended that a quick growing shrub/small tree be utilised (Wax Myrtle 3 x 45gal.) This meant there would be some gaps in the initial planting, but would rapidly fill in within a season or two. The heavy rains were also retarding growth to some extent due to pooling of water in the NE section of the yard (location of the privacy screen). Again, the area recommended for installing a sump pump. After the completion of a project, it is standard procedure for my irrigation crew to recheck the system for breaks, leaks, etc.. Mr. [Member Name Removed] mentioned that several holes were left throughout the yard as a result of the irrigation crew. What Mr. [Member Name Removed] did not mention is that they own a large Golden Retriever that is very active and was always kept indoors while we were on site working. The few times the dog did get out, he would immediately run throughout the project site and was an active digger (as witnessed). I would suggest that the majority of these random holes described by Mr. [Member Name Removed] are the result of his own dog. As many people know, it can be very difficult if not impossible to get a return phone call or a consultation from a contractor/company during their busy season-especially for new projects. Although we try our best to return phone calls promptly, sometimes we get behind. In Mr.[Member Name Removed]'s case we had always been very prompt. I am aware that he called me several times, but we eventually did communicate by phone concerning the drainage issues. We agreed that I would send one of my crews over to extend additional bermingwork on the East side with large river rock. This was done. Again, we were still receiving abnormal amounts of rainfall. Our conversation concluded with once we returned to a normal rainfall pattern, to see if the completed drainage work would have an opportunity to work (under normal conditions). Mr. [Member Name Removed] has asserted that I am not listening to my irrigation/drainage contractor. Nonsense! I have worked with him for 15+years. We both agreed that the only solution to Mr.[Member Name Removed]'s drainage issues is what was PROPOSED AT THE OUTSET-INSTALL A SUMP PUMP SYSTEM!!!! Now that all the work is completed, Mr. [Member Name Removed] is upset that to do so will cost more. Well of course it is going to cost more, they will tear up portions of the landscape plantings, dig under walls, etc... This was pointed out to Mr. [Member Name Removed] prior to commencement of Phase I and Phase II. If necessary, I have documentation, proposed estimates (he requested numerous revised proposals), drawings, email correspondence that will prove my case-if need be. Mr. [Member Name Removed] on the other hand, is going off on what he 'recalls' (faulty/selective memory) our conversations (and there were many) to be concerning the many requested revisions for his landscape renovations/additions. Therefore, I suggest that Mr. [Member Name Removed] provide written documentation (submitted proposals,emails) signed by me supporting his allegations regarding what was proposed for addressing the drainage issues. All aspects of other portions of the proposed work were done as submitted in a written proposal! I am requesting that he immediately withdraw his complaints or provide written documentation supporting his allegations!