To have called out my gardener

[Whenindoubthugitout]

I have had a gardener this year. I have been really pleased and happy with the work he has done.

I asked him to reseed my lawn. Which he agreed to do.
The price he quoted was for 2.5 days work.

he reseeded it within a day, and I asked if the price would be reduced to reflect that it hasn’t taken him as long.

he said that - whilst it was reduced slightly - he would come out and water it daily for me whilst we were away, and that this was reflected in the pricing - which was fine.

we have been away all week, and he sent me a text this morning telling me I was due him the full amount.

however - I have a ring doorbell - and he hasn’t been out all week. (Tbf - it’s rained every day)

I called him out, and said I was unhappy to be paying for a job he hasn’t carried out.

he has now backtracked and said - oh yeah - but I plan to do three more trips (cynically I don’t believe him) and that he just didn’t want to bother me on holiday.

Aibu -to think he is trying it on -and the extra 3 trips are now because I called him out. And if he had initially intended to do these - he would have said so upfront……

I feel really sad. And let down
and slightly stupid for trusting someone to do something whilst I wasn’t there.

Crikey Op, I thought the lawn was thriving after rain and you were at least happy with the work, just aggrieved at the price.

Has the grass come up any since the last photo? I was expecting more existing grass, but just looks like it was all totally covered in top soil.

Really hope you get a good finished result in the end and that your gardener follows through if not, especially at that price.

....you have no idea about the size of the lawn area....

OP said it’s 10m x 10m at a push @Shotokan101.

I would pay him for the work he has done and tell him you'll pay the rest when its due ie if he does the rest.

Thanks - missed that unfortunately- my apologies.