Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.
Can I hire someone to pull weeds?
Yes, you can hire a professional weeding service or a lawn and yard care company to pull weeds. But before you hire a weed controller, do your research. Compare several companies’ ratings and customer reviews online, and ask for free cost estimates from several professionals. Note that weeding pros will likely need a license if they’re going to apply pesticides.
Reviews for Washington weed controllers
Deirdre S.
I am so very disappointed. While some people take pride in their work, others parcel out the small - seemingly insignificant work to people who they deem less informed, less than capable of following instructions.
Dwayne hired two men to complete a “ weeding job”: both men came to my home and literally waited for me to tell them what to do.
Thumbtack provides a template to map a plan out of the work to be done. I asked for a weed treatment ( something to kill the weeds) of the weeds along the fence, trim of bushes/hedges and a tree trim surrounding a deck and cutting of one specific weed that look like a tree.
Initially one of his (workers) non- English speaking suggested$550 for entire yard. I said no I didn’t ask for that. Then “Dwayne” responded and said “ I will do your weeding job for $150”
A guy named Teddy showed up 20 minutes late the following day -no biggie. I told him about the yard in it entirety and ask if $350 was enough. I retracted that an hour after he left and told him we’d stick to the back yard.
I kid you not, as soon as I turned to go inside, his phone rang and he continued to work while talking on the phone. Concerned, I came out and found the azaleas bush without weeds. This was the entire job. The jacuzzi had some overgrowth on it which I directed Teddy to take off and a bush, just a bit distant to that which Teddy also directed William to attend to.
I noticed lots of bugs flying around as William coughed and offered mask to which William accepted but Teddy refused followed by a statement that had me puzzled- “he didn’t want to sweat” He had had the same clothes on from the previous day and I wondered why he gingerly picked through the fern the weeds. I then asked that the fern like bush be nipple high.
Upon inspection I noticed that a weed treatment had not been applied, the tree had not been touched and the south side of the fern/bush hadn’t had any weeds pulled from it; Teddy sent William to pluck as many as he wanted to from that side. I was getting annoyed, but I felt if he didn’t get it right he would work u til he did. I just didn’t like to keep directing going back and forth, etc.
Since Teddy had revealed earlier that day that he didn’t bring the machine to trim the tree /the hedges (bush/ fern) but that cut was chopped without an bit of integrity. As he suggested he would come back,I started feel,he was slow and didn’t understand how to manage himself, the job, his time. I felt he really may have not gotten the full gist of the job as I had to point and direct,just way too much.
To add insult to injury he sent William in my house, after me to pay, when we had been communicating by phone /text all along. I was stunned for I’m disabled and I was not expecting anyone to come into my house- past the kitchen. I handed William $170, as I was finish giving myself an injection as I sat and listened to some tunes. And when I was out there last it didn’t seem like they should’ve been done that fast.
We spoke from inside and outside and he assured me he’d be back w the right tool to take care of the tree(s); noticing one of the trees close to the house Teddy pointed out he would trim that back as well.
When I didn’t hear from him the following day. I knew he had his money and he was duping me.
I text what my expectations were upon his return. He suggested he had to reschedule (15) minutes after the time he was due. I told he only one 2 nd chance, return my money, he refused I asked to speak to Dwayne. Teddy insisted attempting to argue about what he did and didn’t do, I asked for my money again, as he was wasting my time. Yea I could have suggested a breakdown but the weed treatment was my main concern and no one was interested in that part of plan. Even as I offered a flea and tick treatment to spur more control over the elements arising from the disarray. He even got that wrong and used maybe a1/10 of this huge 32 oz container
Dwayne answers. He agrees he suggested he would do my “weeding “job for $150 and then attempts to disassociate himself with Thumbtack. (I don’t even work for thumbtack anymore) Declare he would never work all day for $150. Yada yada yada. But the one thing I think that is ingenious of thumbtack. They create a page that spells out your plan and it gives the pro an idea how to charge. Dwayne got a lil cheeky and tried to water down my ask ( weeding job) which was way too specific to simply suggest to his workers it was a “ weeding job”.
Man it’s terrible especially for woman. Over and over again , both tried to “ handle me! They tried to argue with me FORGETTING I’m the FREAKING Boss here
If I have a problem with what you’ve done- FIX it immediately!
Be careful. Stand your ground. There are people that are very condescending. Ohhh I felt sorry for her , that’s why I ..,
If it’s Thumbtack, a temp agency , a home health a nursing home, etc. doesn’t vet it’s pros, give a sample job for the bigger job and see what results you get. I did try to offer a second chance but, all too often people are trying to work without working.If they start talking on the phone while “attempting “ a-two handed hourly job- fire them immediately! Don’t fade into background and let them off da hook. Be about the work.
DMV Gutter Gang
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DMV Gutter Gang