Warning issued about summer home-improvement contractors

EVERETT -- The Better Business Bureau of Western Washington says it has received dozens of complaints against shoddy contractors in the area and one woman claims she was swindled out of more than $1,000.

Rosalie Richardson said she wanted a lawn to be proud of, but a contractor left her high and dry and did a shoddy job on her sod.

"I feel cheated," she said. "I feel really embarrassed."

Richardson received an estimate from a landscaping company but never agreed to any charges. The next day, she claims work was already being done and the company demanded money.

"This should have been grown and done by now but it hasn’t. It kind of hurts you financially when you keep getting goosed," she said.

The owner of the company says he always sends estimates to customers before doing any work but refused to talk about this particular case.

Richardson contacted the BBB and she wasn't the first to report the company. The company has an 'F' rating after recent complaints.

David Quinlan, spokesman for the Better Business Bureau, said, "Unfortunately anyone can call themselves a handy man. Anyone can call themselves a lawn professional. They can have their own website and post it on Craigslist, but does that mean they’re reputable? Absolutely not."

The BBB says you should research companies and get several estimates before hiring a contractor to perform any work on your home. To learn more about reputable companies, visit the BBB website at http://www.bbb.org/