Client paid $2500 for a backyard landscape install in Seattle, then complained about the grass seed

Out here in Seattle, I just wrapped a $2500 backyard job with sod from a local supplier, figured it'd be straightforward. Guy calls me two weeks later saying the grass isn't green enough and wants a refund, like I can control the damn rain. NGL, I almost laughed, but had to explain germination times to him for the third time.

That Seattle rain should be doing half the work for you, congrats on closing the deal anyway.

same here man, clients never get that grass takes time.

I've been there, just document everything from day one.

Document? Hell, video the install like Stanley Dirt Monkey does.

Clients like that make me wanna stick to commercial gigs.

Saw a similar rant in Lawn Care Business Owners group, guy lost $3k over picky grass complaints.

Don't refund, upsell a maintenance contract instead.

Proud of you for not caving, most new guys fold.

Man, Seattle clients are the worst for nitpicking weather issues.

File a lien if they push too hard.

Never had to, but yeah, protect yourself.

These HOAs in the PNW make it worse, always complaining.

Felt this, my back aches from reseeding the same yards.

HOAs suck, had one fine me $500 for 'uneven' mulch.

Just walk away from bad clients early.

Easier said, but yeah.

Walked one last week, felt good.

Same, saved myself headaches.

Bad clients spread bad reviews too.

Screen them better upfront.

How? They all sound great on the phone.

Ask about expectations, weeds out the crazies.

Good tip, will try.

Tried that, still got burned.

Don't do free consults, charge $100 min.

$100? I do $50 in my area.

Either way, filters the cheapos.

Proud moment when you fire a client.

Firing feels liberating.

Same, did it twice this year.

Twice? Damn, busy season.

Busy with idiots mostly.

Idiots everywhere in this trade.

Trade's full of em.

Group in Lawn Care Professionals venting about this daily.

Daily? Sounds exhausting.

It is, but we push through.

Watched Mike Andes vid on client management, game changer.

Which one? He's got tons.

The one on boundaries.

Boundaries save sanity.

Sanity is key in landscaping.

Key, yeah.

These clients think we're magicians.

Charge extra for magic.

Extra for everything now.

Inflation hits us hard.

Harder than homeowners realize.

They don't care.

Don't care at all.

Rant in r/landscaping about this yesterday.

Saw it, agreed with all.