1 review Vaughan, ON Joined 2015/06/16

10/10

Landscape Contractors & Designers review in Vaughan

06/16/2015

We had a patio and a flower bed installed by LOTUS in our backyard. Both my husband and I were impressed with the level of professionalism and attention to detail.
Alex was very thorough in presenting us with paver choices; he brought samples and was very patient with us, as we had changed our mind about 2-3 times.
Work was done in a timely fashion.
Also, Alex was caring enough to notice a crack in our foundation; he advised us to contact the builder and have it fixed before he applies the polymeric sand.
Overall, a pleasant experience, and I have already recommended this company to two of my friends.

Job Price

Approximate cost of services:: $6,500.00
What could this company do to improve their services?
Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?

0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Company Response: Thank you, Maria! It was a pleasure working with you! Enjoy the outdoor season!
Sincerely,
Lotus Team

Ola from Richmond Hill

1 review Richmond Hill, ON Joined 2014/11/25

First Review

1/10

Backyard landscaping

Landscape Contractors & Designers review in Richmond Hill

11/25/2014

Beware. Not just bad, DANGEROUS
Hired Lotus to do interlocking/landscaping/carpeting project in my backyard. Workmanship was insured by the company for two years. Despite it, repairs for poor job were denied. Had to pay $$ to other companies to have it fixed.
Project length was estimated to be two weeks. Instead it took six weeks = bad job. Crew was unexperienced and slow. Five people changed in a crew over duration of project.
Project included building of a pavilion structure covered with shingled roof. Few shingles came off the very next day after project completion (see picture 1). Called Lotus to have it fixed and was given no definite timeline as for when it will be done. Had to hire another company to have it fixed. Two month later half of the shingles were blown off (see picture 2). Shingles were not properly installed as indicated by the lack of nail holes on the portion of the shingle that was to be overlapped =bad job (see picture 3), i.e. until first strong wind shingles was holding on adhesive. Called Lotus to have it fixed and was denied with number of excuses.
Project included building of a stone fire pit finished with smooth concrete inside. At the very first use palm-sized piece of concrete blasted off taking couple of firing logs up in the air and out of the fire pit, scaring me and my small kids. Someone could have been seriously injured. Was likely caused by air pocket in the concrete = bad (and dangerous) job.
My lawn was destroyed during project completion. It was patch-up sodded by Lotus creating numerous areas of unleveled surface = bad job (see picture 4, all areas appearing bald had to be leveled and seeded). Again, I have small kids and the state the lawn was left in by Lotus created dangerous conditions. Had to pay another contractor to have it leveled.
Towards the end of a project and later on when contacting for problems fixes communication was very poor. My calls were not responded and returned, at the same time phone was picked up by the owners if I called from a different number.
Overall, had a very poor experience. Do not recommend.

Job Price

Approximate cost of services:: $20,000.00

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Company Response

Dear Ola,

We apologize that you have found our performance below your expectations
in some areas.
Our company always strives to provide quality service at reasonable prices.
Your project consisted of building an outdoor kitchen with a covered gazebo, a stone bench, and a walkway leading to the house. We anticipated to complete the project in about 2 weeks.
We began work by bringing our bobcat to prepare the base for the patio and walkway. It started raining heavily and work had to stop. We anticipated it would take about a day to dry up. However, we received a call from your husband asking to wait until the end of the week (4-5 days) for everything to dry up completely. So, we came back the following week only to find out that the water is still there because the ground is 95% clay. We brought a pump to pump out excess water from the base, and resumed work. We had to stop using the bobcat, as it was causing damage to the lawn because of all the rain and clay, and continued digging by hand. All of the aforementioned factors made its contribution to the time delay.
The walkway was originally supposed to be straight, but was changed to a curved design as per your request - more time.
The inside part of the roof of the pergola had to be changed as well once it was put in, as you have decided to change the design to the one you found on houzz.com - more time.
Different crew members - yes. We have general labour and skilled crew members, each performing their own tasks. Hence, once the base is dug out by general labourers, skilled professionals begin installing pavers.
Shingle flew off the roof - yes. There was a tornado warning, which knocked off trees and damaged power lines in the dufferin/keele/king area (the project was at bathurst/king, richmond hill). Hence, one shingle flying as a result of stong wind gusts is unforseen circumstances caused by weather, not poor workmaship. You were given a timeframe as to when we will come to repair it, but chose not to wait and hire another contractor to fix it.
Same with firepit - it was done properly, nothing left in the pit, and we are unaware of the material you were using to start the fire.
Grass - new grass was laid (approximately 2,000 sq.ft.) absolutely free, to repair the damage done by bobcat. Our contract did not mention new sod, and usually there is a price per square foot associated with new sod, but it was a complimentary gesture on our side.
It is very unfortunate that you felt negatively towards our company, as we have attempted to meet your expectations in every possible way without having to charge extra for everything that was added.
Sincerely,
LOTUS Team