Schaul Excavating

Some months ago I contacted Chad, believed to be the owner of
Schaul Excavating in Marion, IA.
At my request, Chad came to my residence to estimate the work
to excavate my back yard, I had a steep drop off that I wanted
converted to a slope, which I eventually planned to seed for grass.
He estimated about 3 days and 5000 dollars, and he suggested
that we to wait until a dry spell during the summer, I agreed.
During his visit I informed Chad and showed him that there was
lots of concrete slabs buried under ground that needed to be
moved and buried elsewhere during the excavation process, I
also showed him trees that needed to be downed and laid up top
above the slope.

About a week after Chad performed his initial survey/estimate
I tried to contact him via phone, I made three attempts one week
apart, no answer. In my third attempt I left message stating that
he is welcome to come to my residence and reevaluate.
About one month later I received a call from Chad, he apologized
for returning my call late, he indicated that he had a heart problem.
Suddenly he was anxious to do the work, even though it was quite
wet and muddy where the work needed to be performed.
He came out to reevaluate the work, he stated that there were
more trees than he thought, as if more trees suddenly appeared,
he changed his original estimate to 7500 dollars, and when I asked
how long to do the job, he estimated about 8 days given the use of
his Mini Excavator and his Skid Steer machine, he also stated that
he needed half money before commencement of the work and the
rest at completion.

He arrived Friday before Memorial day, he worked half that day, he
came back with a part time helper the following Tuesday, the part
time help worked a few hours and Chad worked about half day, and
on Wednesday it rained slightly, Chad returned on Thursday, he
worked part day at which time he decided that he was done with his
job.
Total work time amounted to 12 to 16 hours, much less than 8 days.

The work performed was inadequate, it was NOT satisfactory, nor
was the work near complete.
The contract stated that the ravine below the drop off would be kept
clear for water runoff, it was NOT.
Chad claimed that he had 26 years of experience, yet he did nothing
other than cry and complain about his work, I even let a number of
trees stand to ease his work, but still he cried and complained.

As Chad was loading his equipment I noted to him that he made
rather good money for no more than 16 hours of work. His
response was 25 hours, 150 dollars/hour per machine.
300 dollars/hour at 25 hours amounts to 7500 dollars, in other
words, when he estimated 8 days he lied to me from the
beginning, he never intended to spend more than 3 day, he
spent at most two days.

At this point I must hire someone else to finish his job, or I
must do it myself.

Obviously I do not recommend Schaul Excavating, Chad lied
to me from the beginning, his work was quite unsatisfactory,
and his behavior was less than professional.
One would think that a man with 26 years of experience would
be able to do an honest and professional job without complaints.
Apparently his idea is to take 7500 dollars for two days of easy
work.

You decide, do you want such character/company doing work
for you.