Artistree Tree & Landscape, Inc.

unknown

Horrible experience.  Mike Flores, the owner, was referred to me by a prior tree trimmer who I have used  before, but he was too busy to handle my job on short notice. <br /> (My prior tree trimmer was Justin of Joseph Descans Tree Service, also an Angie's List provider ~ who does EXCELLENT WORK, is dependable and reasonable.  I recommend him highly to anyone who needs tree service!!) <br /> Artistree was contacted Monday (6/2/14) and was supposed to have done my job on Wed (6/4), then they moved it to Thur (6/5). I had a big mess from a stolen car that ran into my fence and destroyed my gate, fence, and hedges and I needed someone to clean up the hedges so the fencing company could do their work today (Fri, 6/6/14 @ 8:30 a.m.).  I never was given an estimate by Mike Flores, despite assurances he would give it to me.  We discussed the job, he agreed to it.  He kept changing the scheduling.  Yesterday (Thurs) he came to cut the trees in the area we discussed about 1:00 p.m.  He had told me he would not leave until the job was completed.  He said didn't have his chipper b/c it was still at his other job and wanted to stack all the tree debris in front of my garage until the next day. Told him that could not be done, but I had another driveway section he could stack it. <br /> I went to pick up a prescription and was gone about an hour, when I got back they were all gone.  The job wasn't completed. I called his cell about 2:00 p.m. and left a message that the debris still needed to get removed so the chain link could be installed early the next morning.  Never heard back.  I called again that night and left another message on his cell and also his other phone. Nothing.   <br /> At 7:30 a.m. this morning, Friday, Flores calls and says he still has to work on his other job. I told him the fence guys were coming and I needed him to complete his portion of the job this morning before the fence people came. He says he couldn't do that and would be back to my place between noon and 1:00 to finish up.  He shows up at 1:30.  Alpine Fencing was just leaving. <br /> I was soooo NOT happy by the time Artistree got here. The fence guys spent 2 hours cleaning up the debris which Artistree was supposed to have done the previous day!  It was very unfair for the fencing employees and made them late for their next job. <br /> When Flores arrives, he didn't have the chipper and stuff is still piled up where he left it the afternoon before.  To this he said his guys were on the way with the truck and would be here shortly.  I was advising Mr. Flores how upset I was for the situation he put me in and the extra work the fencing fellows were forced to do. Flores walked away from me. I told him I wanted an invoice (again!) and thought he was going to write one when he went to his truck.   <br /> When the fencing guys left, I called across the street to Flores who was sitting in his truck reading the paper.  I asked him for the estimate.  He still didn't have his estimate for me.  His attitude really elevated my displeasure with the job he was supposed to have done.  The truck to haul the debris away --- not a chipper --- arrived about a half hour later while we were in a heated discussion and he motioned to them to keep driving past my house. <br /> Then, Flores said he wasn't going to do any more work for me.  He refused to remedy the problem and demanded $400 for his "work" to that point.  I demanded an invoice and told him I wasn't going to pay him anything, much less $400, until he completed the job I had employed him for and cleaned up the mess he left.  Things went even more downhill from there.  My neighbor happened to be there and is a witness.  He left tree debris hanging down about 3 feet off the ground, and this is a sidewalk where kids walk to and from school.  He refused to trim it back up as he should have done the night before.  I told him I was calling the police, the BBB, Michael Turko, and Yelp to report him.  I guess he thought it over b/c when I went back into the house to call the police (which I did) I heard them cleaning up the debris he had stacked in my driveway and trimming the hedge up higher so people could pass by.  Then he demanded $300.  I told him I would give him $200 because he did not do what he was supposed to do and the fence guys were stuck with it.  He was really angry, and so was I.  He said he was going to call the police, I told him I already had.  Then he threatened to dump all the debris back out of his truck and leave.  In any event, he didn't do that, but he threw a fit. <br /> I paid him the $200 and he left.  I would never recommend this guy to anyone! <br /> It's too bad this became such an unpleasant experience for everyone involved.  But he knew the timetable I was under and did not hold up his bargain.  The fencing guys had to do the work Artistree was hired to do, and I did too.

Excellent. Mike was one of 3 estimates I received. I would say he was the most mid range price wise but it was the confidence he instilled in me explaining the job etc. Backyard is small / next to patio / balcony and 2 fence lines close to neighbors and and I back up HOA property. So, he had to very careful as not to cause any damage. He and his crew (which included his son) and 2 other workers were respectful and really took the time to explain what they were doing and then slowly and methodically cut, carried and shredded the trees. They also cleaned up the back and front area beyond what I expected. I would highly recommend Artistree to others.

I needed this done ASAP for insurance requirements.  He made a special trip for us, and did everything promptly.  He cleaned up after the job.  It was quick and complete. <br />

We had a very tall palm tree in the front yard, heavily laden with old fronds.  We wanted the entire tree removed.  He came out with two workers and a truck.  One fellow scaled the tree, trimmed the fronds, and then cut the palm down in sections.  The debris was cleaned up and hauled off.   The remaining low stump was ground down a few days later, as had been explained and agreed upon prior to any work being done.     <br /> During the entire process, the owner made sure that nobody walked under or near where the work was being done.  He would divert people around the work site and, out of necessity, stop the workers, if anyone got too close.  Fortunately the workers didn't have to stop too often, because the owner kept a close eye out for anyone approaching.  We live in a area where normally there are a lot of people walking within a few feet of the tree. <br /> When the stump grinder came, his equipment broke in the midst of the grind.  I was immediately notified of the problem.  I am aware equipment breaks down, so it wasn't an issue.  It is inevitable and unavoidable at times.  They explained what happened and apologized profusely.  We made arrangements for the completion of the work.  The grinder completed the work as agreed. <br /> I think what surprised me was the amount of ground up material produced from the stump grinding.  Prior to any of the work beginning, I had been asked if I wanted the ground up stump material removed or not.  I had been warned that it was several inches of material that would be produced.  In this case, it was my own fault for not having them remove the grind remains, because I had been asked.  As an additional note, if a homeowner wants the grind remains, as it seems like it would be a great mulch, the stuff is fantastic.  So, I can see why they (rightly) don't automatically assume everyone wants the grind material removed.  They did explain and ask. <br /> What impressed me about the owner was the passion he expressed for trees.  If I had trees that needed pruning or trimming, I am confident he would do so artfully and would hire him again. <br /> The price... of course I would like to pay less, who wouldn't?  I had higher and lower quotes, but the price was acceptable for the problems this tree presented.  This owner is licensed and bonded, where most (if not all) of the lower quotes were not.  I would recommend him without hesitation. <br /> <br /> <br />

He quoted me for 3 days of work, during to complete the huge list of things that needed to be done.  With his crew of 4 guys (one of them his son), he completed all of the work promised, and a little more.  Each day he would arrive promptly at 8 with the entire crew, and they would work the entire day.  I watched the process as he worked from one part of the property to the other, basically razzing the dead stuff, trimming the trees , and cleaning up the mess. <br /> I especially liked the pride that Mike and the other men had in their work.  You can tell that they enjoy what they do, and were proud of the results.  I was amazed at how much beauty was under some of these neglected trees of mine. <br /> At the end, the trees look great and the fire hazard is gone.   <br /> I am so grateful to have found him, and would recommend him to anyone needing quality tree work for a reasonable price, done in the time and money quoted.   <br />

Fantastic job.  Great attention to detail and great job of cleaning up.  Well worth the price (which was very reasonable for the work done).