Complaint Review: Ricky Arce / Arce Landscaping - Phoenix, Arizona Internet

Arce Landscaping is not a legitimate company. We hired them to landscape our yard, and they have yet to complete the job. He was provided money for all the materials up front. As an experienced landscaper he should have known how much everything was going to cost. He said hes been doing this for 10 years (we later found out he has never done a yard of our size). When he measured our yard he did this with his feet; I asked him if he wanted to measure it using the measuring wheel. He declined this offer; he said he knew what he was doing. Every time he requested money, we gave it to him.

We werent the ones calling requesting to do the job for a lower price, he was. We werent the ones who said the job would be completed in two days, he was. It was our fault for trusting him, an unlicensed landscaper. He should have never agreed to do the job, if he didnt have the experience or dependable workers.

He started the job on July 1, and showed up late everyday. Most days he did not show up before 12:00 noon; we suggested arriving between 4:00 am 6:00 am to avoid the heat. Most people who work outdoors arrive early. I doubt they worked more than 4 hours a day. He should have never agreed to work on July 4th if he had no intentions of coming; I waited all day since 6:51 am when he called to say he was on his way. Our holiday was also ruined. My husband bought them pizza on the first day of work, and we also bought them bottles of water. I also offered to help to complete the job; I didnt mind digging in the heat. I also asked Ricky if I should rent the equipment to make the digging easier, and he said it would create a mess. I asked his workers regularly if they need anything. Everyday there was an issue. Yes, we did request for them to not return on Monday, July 5th, but Ricky asked if they could stay and work for the $250. We were tired of the endless excuses. We had the cash on hand to pay him the remaining balance that he initially requested on Saturday evening to be provided on Sunday, but they never showed up on the 4th after 5 texts and 6 phone calls of him promising to come. He promised everyday the job would be completed the following day.

Please let me know if I am being presumptuous, but most people cant work 4 hour days, show up late everyday, not show up at all one day, have workers speak rudely to a client (this was a drunken worker who quit the first day), and different staff day-to-day.

Ive been around licensed contractors all my life, and I know this is no way to treat a customer. My husband helped them do as much work as they did on Monday, July 5th. Ricky promised to be back on Tuesday to finish everything else, but this did not happen.

I dont mind paying more, which we would have done if we went with our preferred landscaper. We went with Ricky because he seemed like an honest person, he did mention his daughter, and how he loves to build positive relationships with clientele. He also mentioned he was a man of God.

Our final request was to provide us the receipts to show us the increased material costs. He said costs were increasing, but we noticed a red flag when he said 101 bricks at $1.86 each cost him nearly $400 (this isnt mathematically possible, unless tax was greatly inflated over the weekend). We still need the receipt to take the pile or bricks back to Home Depot. He wont return our calls.

We went to our backyard to access the damage. Not only does Arce Landscaping have a horrible work ethic, it's unprofessional, and he is incompetent. All of the pipes are exposed, most were not connected correctly within each cycle, one cycle is not connected to a water source, electricity cables are exposed to water, every cycle has too many sprinklers, pressure was not accounted for, cheapest equipment was used despite his claims for more money, and the entire sprinkler system will need to be redone. Once Ricky takes your money, he will not return any calls. This is NOT a legitimate business. I urge you not to use his services.

He comes across as an honest, humble, God loving person; as soon as he has all of your money you wont hear back from him. He cant be trusted. I have already reported him to the Federal Trade Commission. I am considering posting an ad in the Arizona Republic, as no one deserves the treatment he has bestowed upon us. I will continue to post regularly, as I hope he does not have the opportunity to manipulate more families.