Devastated - can't believe my builder did this

Let this be a lesson to others. Be careful who you select to do work on your house. I have a renovation going on two doors up from me, all nationalities. It’s amazing how they often forget the command of English. We’ve had a neighbour’s car written off, out of hours working, bonfires, one fall off a scaffolding and they couldn’t get the gurney up the drive due to the mess and paramedics had to get specialist equipment in. I could go on…… He hasn’t even moved in yet and he’s already pissed everyone off.
On the other hand, my neighbours had more reputable builders in, who worked 8-5pm, no weekends, were polite, tidy and did a brilliant job 🙂

They don't clear the garden, they just hack it to ground level. The tree survived because it would have meant hard work to chop it down.

The neighbourhood cats will love the bare soil.

Do the obvious: document all the plants that have gone, take photos, contact builder and ask him to replace, get some legal advice (it’s a civil matter), if the builder doesn’t respond, write a formal letter. You need to work out the total value of the plants that have gone.

Basically they need to reinstate your garden asap. They didn’t have consent to demolish it simply to remove their building work. They needed to make clear to the client what they were intending.

I nearly had this, had a local gardener around and chatted with him walking in the garden and he constantly said you want that gone don't you? No I kept saying, just the one hedge! In the end I thought sod it I'm leaving it overgrown until my friend can do it. Same as op some of mine are from gardens of family, cuttings etc.

I'm not going to continue arguing the point, im basing it on my experience of law. It's unfortunate, but she won't win in court, at best they'd say shared responsibility.

Oh my god, what is wrong with you people?!

Yes it is. Consumer rights act 2015.

This, what the F were they thinking. This is why I hardly trust anyone to touch my garden.

Hello @INFJismyvibe ,I had a much smaller version of this (separate thread) and although it was obviously a communication and common sense problem , I fully appreciate how upsetting it is. Some of the shrubs will grow back.
Hugs.

God that would gut me, I'm so sorry op, what idiots they are.

Well obviously he needs to replace the plants.

No sane person would think that clearing the garden after building work meant pulling the shrubs and trees out. Why would anyone think that?

I mean Op's husband said "clear up" which to me means get rid of rubbish.

Gardener's dad seems to have just heard "clear" which is what he offered!

Seriously!.
A year over, I’m sorry but sounds like you had the cowboys in.
I doubt very much if he’ll replace anything and will try to add the garden clearance to your bill.
This is why cowboy operators get away with stuff.

I would be heartbroken, I’m so sorry for you OP. I have similarly sentimental plants all over my garden. If you know the variety of the trees you may be able to buy the same one, not the same for you of course but still a connection to the person who gave you cuttings etc.
The lawn is replaceable quickly, but trees and shrubs take time, I can’t imagine what he was thinking, literally no one would want every single thing, even structures like trees, removed, I mean. It’s just a bizzare thing to do - even more so without checking “shall I also take out any trees” type of conversation.

It sounds like a complete breakdown of communication between, you, your DH and the builder. Lack of articulate instructions were builders are concerned can cause chaos at best, and a lot of expense at worst. You need to be on to them ALL the time, unless you know them well.

This.
Definitely ask if they can be retrieved. They might even still be in the back of his van.
Failing that, draw a plan of what went where whilst it's still fresh in your mind so that you can recreate what you can if it.
I'm so sorry, my garden is also made up of plants that I've inherited or been given as lovely gifts. I really feel for you.

Clearing up doesn’t mean removing established trees / bushes / hedges. I’m sorry OP I’d be really upset as well

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, OP.
You most certainly are not being unreasonable.
I'd be devastated too, not to mention absolutely bloody furious!

This

It must be very distressing but large established shrubs are quite difficult to remove. I'd water around them in the evening and wait to see what regrowth you get as that is likely to be faster than planting something new, and you'd need to grub out the roots to replant.

Post what happened on your local facebook page or free page with a list of what you have lost and if it's anything like ours then you'll get people offering to split perennials for you come the autumn. You might also get offers of free seeds/ spare plants that people will part with now, depends what you're lost.

To all those saying 'get the plants back' - any plant that has been ripped out, instead of carefully dug out, and then discarded in a heap somewhere in this weather is never going to get back to what it was before. If you want to move a plant without damaging it you have to take very great care, and even then some plants resent being moved and refuse to grow. OP will need new plants of an equivalent age to restore what she had.

What on earth is wrong with you? Quite clear there was a team of men clearing the garden.

I echo what @ThorsRaven said. You should be looking at a claim for a few thousand.
In your position I'd be having a good cry and a major rant, and then I'd be looking for a good local garden designer to come round and a) give you an idea of the like for like replacement cost and b) outline a completely new plan using whatever plants you have that are still viable. I've designed a couple of gardens myself and had a couple more designed professionally, the professional ones were way better and perhaps the best value for money I've ever had. This is your chance to get rid of all the niggles that didn't quite work, move the plants that were never really happy where they were, and create a space for something you've always wanted. I'd also be looking to propagate from any plants of sentimental value that can't be salvaged, see it as a new lease of life for them. Good luck.

I have nothing helpful to add, just wanted to say that I understand and I’m sorry about your lovely garden.
I would be completely devastated by this.
It won’t bring back the precious plants and trees that you had but I hope you can be compensated in some way.

YANBU OP. I’m not so sure that it was a misunderstanding. Your plants would have been worth a lot of money
It can’t harm to contact your builder to let him know that by “ clearing your garden “ you didn’t expect him to dig up and take your expensive plants . Ask for them back (they might still have them ) . If they can’t return them ask for money off your bill to enable you to replace them .
I would be furious at DH for not challenging them when there was the opportunity to rectify the situation .