Today I had a gardener come round to sort out my garden. He had priced up the job beforehand; £300 - £325 which included all the weeding, grass cutting, trimming some stuff down (including brambles). It was also supposed to include the dismantling and taking away of our old trampoline. The garden was very overgrown.
He did the job today … in just over two hours!!! I completely understand the reasoning behind not charging by the hour, as it wouldn’t be worth his while. But that’s a lot for just over two hours’ work.
I am happy with the job, though the finish could have been a little neater. There were a few cuttings etc to be picked up. He left all the bramble cuttings as he said that wasn’t included in the cost. I do understand that brambles are harder work and not part of general maintenance.
But the stinger was that he didn’t take the trampoline down. He said that the screws were rusted and an unusual shape. He didn’t have the right drill for it. He discounted the price by £25, so I paid £300, which was the lower end of his quote anyway.
As I said, I’m happy with the job overall. I was out at my second job while he did my garden, and I have no doubt that he worked like a Trojan for the entire time. He also has some top notch equipment to help him out.
Maybe I shouldn’t feel bothered about it, as the job was completed to my satisfaction. But it’s a lot of money when you break it down and I can’t believe I’m still not shot of the old trampoline (would have given it away but it’s no longer fit for purpose). It’s also less than ideal to have to get rid of the bramble cuttings on my own.
AIBU?