landscaper issue, looking for opinion.

sky's · 06-05-2021, 08:01 AM

this seems extremely silly and childish however its came to a boiling point. the landscaper that has been cutting and maintaing our property here in Moultonborough complains about dog poop in the backyard. so my wife every Thursday morning before they arrive goes out to scoop the poop. is it possible we may miss an area sure but in all honesty we have a beautiful house and nice property and we do our best to keep it looking that way. so yesterday one of his workers said there was like 5-10 piles in the backyard which i find to be a total lie and that he had to wash off the tires and there going to charge me more because of this. I find it all to totally false and the negativity that we have been getting is not right i could see if the yard was covered with poop but thats not the case. just curious how other folks would handle this??? thanks for the input

ApS · 06-05-2021, 08:22 AM

At my winter home, the garbage collector won't pick up a neighbor's garbage because it smells of (two large-ish) dog poop.

My three small dogs' backyard poop got a power-rinse every afternoon.

Twenty-five years later, it's like I lived in a different Time.

FlyingScot · 06-05-2021, 08:36 AM

I think you may misunderstand the landscaper. He may be telling you he has no interest in continuing to mow your lawn because of the dog poop. He may think his crew is already working at 110% over the summer months, and he doesn't need any extra headache.

I'm not opining on whether he's being reasonable, only that you might keep in mind that his bargaining position may be stronger than yours, and you might consider that being more diligent on the dog poop is easier than finding a new landscaper.

MeredithMan · 06-05-2021, 08:39 AM

...Each time my landscape company comes to cut the lawn, one of their crew takes pix of the freshly cut and cleaned yard. I'm guessing they do that so that if I were to call and complain about something, they have pix to protect themselves. (I have also had furniture delivery people do that, by the way, too).

So....after you clean up the dog poop the day before or the day of your mowing, take a few pix to prove that the yard is clean. Then, when your guy states that there's sh** everywhere, you have your photo evidence otherwise.

TheTimeTraveler · 06-05-2021, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sky's

this seems extremely silly and childish however its came to a boiling point. the landscaper that has been cutting and maintaing our property here in Moultonborough complains about dog poop in the backyard. so my wife every Thursday morning before they arrive goes out to scoop the poop. is it possible we may miss an area sure but in all honesty we have a beautiful house and nice property and we do our best to keep it looking that way. so yesterday one of his workers said there was like 5-10 piles in the backyard which i find to be a total lie and that he had to wash off the tires and there going to charge me more because of this. I find it all to totally false and the negativity that we have been getting is not right i could see if the yard was covered with poop but thats not the case. just curious how other folks would handle this??? thanks for the input

Well you could terminate him, but then you're stuck with the issue of trying to replace him. Good luck with that as long as Uncle Sam wants to pay folks to stay on their couches and collect........

WinnisquamZ · 06-05-2021, 11:49 AM

I use to tip the workers every other week to avoid this situation

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thinkxingu · 06-05-2021, 11:51 AM

If not too much extra, I'd pay it while looking for replacement landscapers.

Alternative two is to kick them to the curb and take care of business yourself until you find a replacement.

In either case, I wouldn't be working with this place very long. Unless you've got a couple Great Danes, puppers can't be making that much of a mess... especially if your wife is picking much/all of it up.

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gillygirl · 06-05-2021, 12:53 PM

Just pick it up every day.

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Biggd · 06-05-2021, 01:08 PM

Thankfully my dog likes to poop in the woods.

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Sue Doe-Nym · 06-05-2021, 01:33 PM

This is a really crappy thread!

gillygirl · 06-05-2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

This is a really crappy thread!

Sh*t happens.

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TheProfessor · 06-05-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

I use to tip the workers every other week to avoid this situation
]

Bingo !

I tip most all contractors and delivery folks. Funny, but I have never had any issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQPIgm2FpU0

Poor Richard · 06-05-2021, 04:09 PM

Buncha lightweights! Running over poop is part of the job!

8gv · 06-05-2021, 04:25 PM

The landscaper likely has a keen knowledge of the tight labor market. His crew could leave tomorrow to work at another company. He is trying to reduce aggravation for them with the intent to retain them.

While the piles described may be exaggerated, there is still some poop. They are cutting the lawn because it is tall enough to do so. Picking it up the day before the cutting means that the poop patrol is happening with tall grass and success is least likely.

As suggested above, daily poop pick up might help. I would also consider a cordial conversation with the parties concerned.

If an alternative landscape company can be found be sure to ask about poop in the interview. You may discover that you are already with the right company.

garysanfran · 06-05-2021, 04:57 PM

Your landscaper works for you. You don't work for him. Your relationship has soured. Yet, he is holding you hostage?

Slickcraft · 06-05-2021, 05:07 PM

If they have otherwise been doing a good job:

Explain that you appreciate their overall work. Then explain that you do your best to clean up. Then offer them a bit extra to check for #$% prior to mowing or to clean up after. If they have a positive response then good. If a negative response, time to move on.

Alan

swnoel · 06-06-2021, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sky's

this seems extremely silly and childish however its came to a boiling point. the landscaper that has been cutting and maintaing our property here in Moultonborough complains about dog poop in the backyard. so my wife every Thursday morning before they arrive goes out to scoop the poop. is it possible we may miss an area sure but in all honesty we have a beautiful house and nice property and we do our best to keep it looking that way. so yesterday one of his workers said there was like 5-10 piles in the backyard which i find to be a total lie and that he had to wash off the tires and there going to charge me more because of this. I find it all to totally false and the negativity that we have been getting is not right i could see if the yard was covered with poop but thats not the case. just curious how other folks would handle this??? thanks for the input

Let me get this right... you're upset at them because they've asked you to pick up your dogs crap? I guess I'd be more concerned you don't ...

bruinsfan · 06-06-2021, 07:16 AM

Pick up your dog crap. It’s disgusting.

I’m sure you’d make sure there’s no poop if you were having friends or family over.

Get over yourself and be a decent human.

camp guy · 06-06-2021, 08:10 AM

Say, sky's, maybe you could engage Epic Seaplane to do a fly-over and pinpoint the location of the poop so you can be sure and clean it all up.

Newbiesaukee · 06-06-2021, 08:23 AM

Or, get a different dog. Mine is pad trained and never has to go out. But, she only weighs 4#. There are real limits to this method.

sky's · 06-06-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swnoel

Let me get this right... you're upset at them because they've asked you to pick up your dogs crap? I guess I'd be more concerned you don't ...

it is picked up every day and espicailly the morning before they cut if you saw my property you would see we dont live like pigs.

ITD · 06-06-2021, 12:03 PM

Well, this really stinks.

Sue Doe-Nym · 06-06-2021, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

Well, this really stinks.

Not only stinks, but very hard to handle this! 🙄

ITD · 06-06-2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Not only stinks, but very hard to handle this! 🙄

It sounds like it hasn't hit the fan yet, but it's close.

sky's · 06-06-2021, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

It sounds like it hasn't hit the fan yet, but it's close.

Love the humor we all need some thanks everybody for the advice. Best to all.

Descant · 06-06-2021, 05:01 PM

My landscaper of many years has never mentioned the dog, except to say he's reluctant to put a lot of chemicals on the grass because of the dog. Sticks, leaves, grass, dog poop, whatever, all gets picked up mechanically and goes someplace to be composted. We tip, usually, at the conclusion of a major job (hardscape projects, drain and clean the fish pond, etc) a few times a season.

sky's · 06-07-2021, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

My landscaper of many years has never mentioned the dog, except to say he's reluctant to put a lot of chemicals on the grass because of the dog. Sticks, leaves, grass, dog poop, whatever, all gets picked up mechanically and goes someplace to be composted. We tip, usually, at the conclusion of a major job (hardscape projects, drain and clean the fish pond, etc) a few times a season.

We normally tip as well this issue has gotten so blown out of proportion for personall reasons that I won't get into. All good summer is here best to all

06-05-2021, 08:01 AM	#1
sky's Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 273 Thanks: 68 Thanked 76 Times in 52 Posts	landscaper issue, looking for opinion. this seems extremely silly and childish however its came to a boiling point. the landscaper that has been cutting and maintaing our property here in Moultonborough complains about dog poop in the backyard. so my wife every Thursday morning before they arrive goes out to scoop the poop. is it possible we may miss an area sure but in all honesty we have a beautiful house and nice property and we do our best to keep it looking that way. so yesterday one of his workers said there was like 5-10 piles in the backyard which i find to be a total lie and that he had to wash off the tires and there going to charge me more because of this. I find it all to totally false and the negativity that we have been getting is not right i could see if the yard was covered with poop but thats not the case. just curious how other folks would handle this??? thanks for the input

06-05-2021, 08:22 AM	#2
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,938 Thanks: 2,205 Thanked 776 Times in 553 Posts	Times Are Changing... At my winter home, the garbage collector won't pick up a neighbor's garbage because it smells of (two large-ish) dog poop. My three small dogs' backyard poop got a power-rinse every afternoon. Twenty-five years later, it's like I lived in a different Time.

06-05-2021, 08:39 AM	#4
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 947 Thanks: 262 Thanked 812 Times in 331 Posts	Reverse Landscaper Photo Trick... ...Each time my landscape company comes to cut the lawn, one of their crew takes pix of the freshly cut and cleaned yard. I'm guessing they do that so that if I were to call and complain about something, they have pix to protect themselves. (I have also had furniture delivery people do that, by the way, too). So....after you clean up the dog poop the day before or the day of your mowing, take a few pix to prove that the yard is clean. Then, when your guy states that there's sh everywhere, you have your** photo evidence otherwise.

06-05-2021, 12:53 PM	#8
gillygirl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 760 Thanks: 767 Thanked 308 Times in 204 Posts	Just pick it up every day. Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app __________________ GG

06-05-2021, 04:57 PM	#15
garysanfran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Francisco/Meredith Posts: 1,566 Thanks: 661 Thanked 676 Times in 345 Posts	Your landscaper works for you. You don't work for him. Your relationship has soured. Yet, he is holding you hostage? __________________ Gary ~~~~_/) ~~~ ~~~~~~~~

06-05-2021, 08:36 AM	#3
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,379 Thanks: 1,282 Thanked 1,017 Times in 627 Posts	I think you may misunderstand the landscaper. He may be telling you he has no interest in continuing to mow your lawn because of the dog poop. He may think his crew is already working at 110% over the summer months, and he doesn't need any extra headache. I'm not opining on whether he's being reasonable, only that you might keep in mind that his bargaining position may be stronger than yours, and you might consider that being more diligent on the dog poop is easier than finding a new landscaper.

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Reilly (06-07-2021)

06-05-2021, 11:49 AM	#6
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,053 Thanks: 210 Thanked 652 Times in 435 Posts	I use to tip the workers every other week to avoid this situation Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

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Biggd (06-05-2021)

06-05-2021, 11:51 AM	#7
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,229 Thanks: 1,171 Thanked 2,055 Times in 1,275 Posts	If not too much extra, I'd pay it while looking for replacement landscapers. Alternative two is to kick them to the curb and take care of business yourself until you find a replacement. In either case, I wouldn't be working with this place very long. Unless you've got a couple Great Danes, puppers can't be making that much of a mess... especially if your wife is picking much/all of it up. Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

The Following User Says Thank You to gillygirl For This Useful Post:
Reilly (06-07-2021)

06-05-2021, 01:08 PM	#9
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,110 Thanks: 2,219 Thanked 1,189 Times in 756 Posts	Thankfully my dog likes to poop in the woods. Sent from my SM-G991U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

06-05-2021, 01:33 PM	#10
Sue Doe-Nym Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,425 Thanks: 743 Thanked 788 Times in 413 Posts	This is a really crappy thread!

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Sue Doe-Nym For This Useful Post:
Biggd (06-05-2021), sky's (06-05-2021), TheTimeTraveler (06-05-2021)

06-05-2021, 04:09 PM	#13
Poor Richard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: The humbling river Posts: 304 Thanks: 42 Thanked 80 Times in 57 Posts	Buncha lightweights! Running over poop is part of the job!

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ApS (06-06-2021)

06-05-2021, 04:25 PM	#14
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,093 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	The landscaper likely has a keen knowledge of the tight labor market. His crew could leave tomorrow to work at another company. He is trying to reduce aggravation for them with the intent to retain them. While the piles described may be exaggerated, there is still some poop. They are cutting the lawn because it is tall enough to do so. Picking it up the day before the cutting means that the poop patrol is happening with tall grass and success is least likely. As suggested above, daily poop pick up might help. I would also consider a cordial conversation with the parties concerned. If an alternative landscape company can be found be sure to ask about poop in the interview. You may discover that you are already with the right company.

06-05-2021, 05:07 PM	#16
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,299 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,082 Times in 954 Posts	If they have otherwise been doing a good job: Explain that you appreciate their overall work. Then explain that you do your best to clean up. Then offer them a bit extra to check for #$% prior to mowing or to clean up after. If they have a positive response then good. If a negative response, time to move on. Alan

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bruinsfan (06-06-2021)

06-06-2021, 07:16 AM	#18
bruinsfan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NH Posts: 147 Thanks: 88 Thanked 73 Times in 34 Posts	Pick up your dog crap. It’s disgusting. I’m sure you’d make sure there’s no poop if you were having friends or family over. Get over yourself and be a decent human.

06-06-2021, 08:10 AM	#19
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,182 Thanks: 299 Thanked 525 Times in 293 Posts	landscape issue Say, sky's, maybe you could engage Epic Seaplane to do a fly-over and pinpoint the location of the poop so you can be sure and clean it all up.

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secondcurve (06-09-2021)

06-06-2021, 08:23 AM	#20
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,353 Thanks: 947 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	Or, get a different dog. Mine is pad trained and never has to go out. But, she only weighs 4#. There are real limits to this method. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

06-06-2021, 12:03 PM	#22
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,925 Thanks: 476 Thanked 691 Times in 387 Posts	Well, this really stinks.

06-06-2021, 05:01 PM	#26
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,352 Thanks: 1,342 Thanked 1,623 Times in 1,055 Posts	My landscaper of many years has never mentioned the dog, except to say he's reluctant to put a lot of chemicals on the grass because of the dog. Sticks, leaves, grass, dog poop, whatever, all gets picked up mechanically and goes someplace to be composted. We tip, usually, at the conclusion of a major job (hardscape projects, drain and clean the fish pond, etc) a few times a season.

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DotRat (06-06-2021)