Two boys left a flyer on my door this past Spring offering their lawn service. So I called and ended up hiring them for the season. Many things have gotten broken during the season, for example: they ran over my dogs toy a chopped it up, they ran up over my garden edging and cracked or warped it in several areas, The broke the head off of my water sprinkler, etc... Then one day, I was on my way to take my son to the Circus and I get a phone call from them. They said they were at my house and had just accidently hit the pool (it's an above ground pop up pool) with the back end of the riding lawn mower and ripped it about a foot accross. They rand down to the store to get a patch but when they returned, all the water already out of the pool. The yard was flooded, my neighbor was complaining, bla bla bla. Anyhow, the pools are sold out everywhere. They offered to pay me, and I havent' heard back from them. What should I do?
2006-09-09 06:08:13 · 10 answers · asked by Shawnie 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
talk to their parents, and see what can be arranged (you said boys so im assuming they are under 18?)
take them to small claims court if you have to.
good luck!
2006-09-09 06:14:19 · answer #1 · answered by friskygimp 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Of course you have not heard back from them, are you really surprised? You shouldn't have kept them in your employ once they damaged the garden edging. Unless you have a way to contact them, I don't know what to tell you to do. If they own an established business, you can take them to small claims court. If they are just kids passing around flyers and you hired them and paid them with cash; you are probably up the creek. If they are underage, you could sue the parents, but this would not win you any friends; although they would probably want to know about the kids causing the damage. You can probably have your house insurance cover the cost of the pool, but you probably not find a pool to purchase until next spring, depending on where you live. This may be an expensive experience for you. You could check with a lawyers office, or a legal aid office, to see if there is anything else you can do. Good luck.
2006-09-09 13:19:41 · answer #2 · answered by Sue F 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would call them and ask for the money for the damages they caused. If you need to I would bring their parents into it. They are definitely not mature enough to be doing lawn work if they are doing that much damage and could end up getting hurt themselves and that would come back to you and your homeowners insurance. Get your money and don't allow them to work in your yard till they are older and have insurance to cover themselves for any injury that may occur on your property.
2006-09-09 13:18:51 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa R 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that you may be S.O.L.
Repending on the age of the boys, you might be able to go after the parents.
Why didn't you cancel their service after the first couple of problems. That should and would have prevented a lot of what you're having to deal with now.
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2006-09-09 13:16:13 · answer #4 · answered by Firefly 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the parents to get paid for the pool. and then fire them and get someone else that will be more careful.
The dog toy is no big deal you can get him another one but as for the edging and the pool i would make sure that they paid for it..
hope you still have there phone number..
2006-09-09 13:17:38 · answer #5 · answered by Sandy F 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Try contacting them again. And if that doesn't work, probably get a lawyer to write a little note to them. That will definitely get their attention.
Or an alternative would be to spread your back experience (and say you will in a letter if they won't repay you). Maybe picket outside their business.
Good luck!
2006-09-09 13:17:16 · answer #6 · answered by lewie82 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well you learned a valuable lesson.Hire a professional next time.So sorry for the loss of your pool.May it rest in peace.
2006-09-09 13:14:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's kinda stuff home owners insurance is for.
Good luck, hope you get everything fixed.
2006-09-09 13:21:24 · answer #8 · answered by herbs411_42719 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Homeowners insurance, and small claims court.
2006-09-09 13:13:28 · answer #9 · answered by jmiller 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't you have insurance .to cover your accidental losses ..????
Dose the boys have any insurance cover against accidental damage to customers property ????
I know without it .i wouldn't allow any body near me or mine
2006-09-09 13:22:08 · answer #10 · answered by JJ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋