Pioneer Landscaping

Pete was great at first. We actually used this company for 2 years. Then, gradually, over time the service began to fail. The lawn maintenance was being done quickly and haphazardly. After a couple of missed services we wondered what was going on. He told us he was on vacation.  Finally we decided to find a more dedicated company. <br />

Pete did a good job with the lawnmowing, but he couldn't get around to the landscape work I asked him to do in the Spring.  He finally did a partial job in the July and was not able to complete the rest of the work that we had agreed upon - istallation of a french drain and extra sod work.  Good man, but needs to add staff or should not over-commit himself. <br />

I wrote Pete a check for $500.00 as a down payment with "Landscape down payment" written in the attention line. The $500.00 covered his estimate of the work. He said he would be back with his crew that week to start. Pete's crew did not show up.  When I called him, he came out again and told me they had been very busy and that they would be out in a few days.  He brought up his snow removal business. He said he would charge $27.50 per plow or $350.00 for the season.  I told him I might be interested in paying per plow, but that I would not buy a contract as I thought the winter would be mild. I told him I would think about it and we could talk again after he did the landscape work.  Pete again scheduled the work to be done within the week.  He did not show and I did not hear from him again in 2011. In early 2012 someone plowed my driveway twice.  No notice was left and I thought it was my neighbor. In early March 2012, I called Pete about the landscaping.  He came out and we again stood in the front yard and talked and pointed.  The weather was very warm and the ground no longer frozen.  He said he could start as soon as his equipment was checked out.  He again stated $500.00 would probably cover the garden work.  At that time he asked me if I was satisfied with the snow plowing.  I told Pete I didn't know it was his company as no paperwork was left and asked if he wanted me to pay him separately for the two plows.  He asked me if I signed a contract and I told him no, reminding him of our conversation.  He said the plowing was $35.00 each and that we could take it out of the original check. He again stated his men would do the landscaping that Saturday and would finish the same day.  Two days later I received a contract for summer lawn service which I signed and returned.No one came on Saturday. No one returned my call.It was time for crab grass control and weed/feed application. I called again to ask why he had not showed up. I stated my yard was the only one on my block that had not had spring clean-up, weed-n-feed or first mow.  He apologized and told me he had me scheduled for Saturdays and would be out.  At that time I gave Pete the option of switching the down payment from landscape work to pre-payment of summer lawn service as he had not been able to fulfill his verbal contract. He declined. Pete then declared that I had only $150.00 on credit as my 'snow contract' was $350.00.  I reminded him I did not sign a contract, and that I had a copy of the cancelled check which clearly states 'down payment for landscaping'. We agreed to discuss it in person on that Saturday.   No one from Pioneer came.  Pete did not call, did not return my calls.   <br /> I have written Pioneer cancelling the summer contract for non performance.  I requested a refund of my deposit.  Pete has not responded. The next step is small claims court and a report to the BBB. <br /> To sum up:  I contacted Pioneer in fall 2011 for landscape work. I paid Pete a $500.00 down payment for landscape work based on a verbal contract. Over the 2011/2012 winter my driveway was plowed twice.  In March, 2012, I signed a contract for lawn mowing and weed-n-feed, for the 2012 summer. Over eight months Pete. The only work done by Pioneer is two non scheduled snow plows.  Pete has repeatedly missed our appointments without contacting me. Pioneer Seasonal Service has performed no landscape or lawn work. <br /> If you check other review sites, you will see reviews written by 'Pete' of Clinton Township.

I am on a contract with them although it started off kind of rocky. The first time they did not show up and they don't call to let me know if they are not coming; they are not good communicators. When they get here I like the job they do and their price is good. They have only been out a couple of times now to do the lawn so I will know better how I feel about them a little later in the summer.

Everything went as planned.

They were very good.  They did a very good job.  They were very professional.  They were very punctual.  I would use them again.

Overall we are very pleased dealing with Pete Milianis and Pioneer Lawn & Home Maintenance.