Should I call off this job?

[BasinHaircut]

Had a landscaper booked since May, scheduled to come and do £11k worth of work in the garden starting 1st September.

Came out and quoted twice coz I changed my mind about stuff no problem. Got recommended by neighbours and have seen their work. Not the cheapest quote I had but had a good feeling about them.

Couple of weeks ago I got an email from the guy asking me to call him. Tried for a few days and just ringing or phoned switched off. Emailed back saying couldn’t reach him. He said he’d been away for few days would call me tomorrow. That was 1 week ago.

I have lost confidence now. I am minded to email and officially call off the job.

I have given him no money so far so nothing to lose except now have to find someone else to do the job.

What would you do? I think I know the answer already

Oh and just tried to call him again this morning and phone still switched off.

I agree that is not a great sign and would put me off too.

I dunno, all the building and landscaping work we have had has worked like this then they suddenly call you and say they’ll be around at 8am tomorrow

Trades are in really high demand right now. I bet he’s just very very busy

I wouldn't just yet, but maybe I am a pushover! Also great no deposit paid.

We had a landscape gardener come to quote in March. Told us likely they could do work (~5k) June. They started one part this week and haven't given me a date for the rest of the job yet! I think they really are just super busy! However I also wish I'd been a bit pushier as I'm sad we won't have use of our new garden this summer, as expected. I presumed they prioritised jobs in the order booked in but I bet if people are pushy or it's a big one they really want then they might get bumped up!

I would send him a polite email with a time frame asking him to contact you to confirm whether he still wants to do the job. Say you have tried to make contact as requested and leave it in his court. If he doesn't get in touch within given time frame, I would send another email saying thanks but due to lack of contact you will be using someone else for your job.
Hopefully he is just busy and disorganised and the written contact will give him the reminder he needs to get your job in.

Hope it gets sorted!