Landscaper scam has 'paying by the bag' resulting in high fees

Do you need some bushes chopped or removed?

Maybe you want weeds pulled and grass cut.

How convenient there’s a landscaper in your neighborhood.

And now, he’s at your door. He offers a great price if you hire him now.

Better Business Bureau ScamTracker shows some scam landscapers have found a new way to take your money.

They charge per bag, instead of per job.

It’s a minimal fee per bag, and complaints show they greatly underestimate how many bags you’ll actually need for debris removal.

One woman says her door-to-door landscaper charged $15 per bag and said her yard needed 20 bags.

But when the job was done, the “landscaper” claimed he used 279 bags and charged her $4,750. 

Others were forced to pay $3,600, $4,200, $5,000 in cash, for the same bag scam.

None of them received a written estimate before hiring.

BBB is also hearing about scam landscapers demanding large payments upfront, then disappearing. 

Hiring a good landscaper takes more than a knock at the door or a promised great price. Before you hire, get the company name, check reviews online and for trusted accredited contractors at bbb.org 

Projects that cost $1,000 or more require a state licensed contractor. Check licenses with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.www.azroc.gov

Demand a written estimate with the contractors name and listing the price for the full job.

Pay with a credit card and give little money upfront.

As always, search bbb.org and run an online search for complaints and reviews before hiring.Keep ahead of all the scams. Follow BBB at https://www.youtube.com/@bbbpacsw and joeknowsbetter.com