Comments on: Contractors Wanted: Does it Cost Extra to Ruin Our Plants?

By: billy Goodnick

billy Goodnick — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:50:51 +0000

You have to stake out a safe area aroud the important plants and fence it. Don’t allow vehicles that can compact the soil or dupling of ’spoils’ and liquids. Be fierce.

By: Jayme Jenkins

Jayme Jenkins — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:34:14 +0000

How funny Ellen. Tis the contractor season…let the games begin. I hope everything worked out well and your plants were spared.

By: Ellen Zachos

Ellen Zachos — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:39:24 +0000

Your post is perfectly timed! I spent this morning digging up my two front garden beds in preparation for the deck construction that starts Wednesday. I am TERRIFIED of what may happen, despite having warned the guy in my most uncertain terms of how important my garden is to me. There are a few plants I just can’t move and for those I am most worried. Then there are also all the perennials and small shrubs now sitting in containers by the side of the driveway…fingers crossed!

By: Billy Goodnick

Billy Goodnick — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:51:34 +0000

Jayme: Your first mistake was in not checking to see if all the contractor’s employees actually walk upright. Always check the back of the knuckles – if their rough and callused it means they just emerged from the primordial ooze and might not be accustomed to breathing air yet.

Next, do everything you outlined in your “What To Learn…” I’m sorry for the hard lesson. Definitely require replacement of plants based on their actual size and photograph the work areas so it’s not his word against yours. When I hire any contractor for my parks and recreation projects in Santa Barbara we have an extensive walk-through with the contractor and require that the job superintendent who will be supervising the work attend. That might be a bit much for residential work, but it’s key to getting a good outcome.

Thanks for bringing it to the attention of others.

By: Jayme Jenkins

Jayme Jenkins — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:31:05 +0000

I completely agree Theresa! People don’t understand the VALUE of plants. As homeowners, we have to look out for our investments because the hired helped sure don’t.

So sorry about your Persimmon tree. Man, I would be so made about a tree. The years they take to reach maturity and the value they add to your property. What a crushing story!

Thanks for your time to comment.

By: Theresa Loe/GardenFreshLiving

Theresa Loe/GardenFreshLiving — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:00:22 +0000

When we did an addition on our house several years ago, we lost our beloved Persimmon tree. The contractors stacked all the extra wood and tools against the tree and I suspect they also cleaned their stuff at the base. As the construction continued, the tree died a slow horrible death. It was sad.

Sorry for your losses. But I think your suggestions are all good ones. We need to ask more questions and be more on top of things. People underestimate the value of plants. They are an investment and if the contractors aren’t going to be careful, we lose out big time!