Adam Watson of Watson Landscaping & Construction, Inc. (www.watson-landscaping.com) seemed like a real nice guy. Thoughtful and earnestly considering the scope of the project. We got a real good vibe from him. His dad supposedly lived right up the road. Yadda yada. We were clear that we did not want the job started and stopped.
On August 7, 2024 we signed the contract and I gave him $16,534 as a down payment (1/3 the project) for all materials and a good faith deposit. I was very clear that we didn't want the job started and stopped or to be left with an open hole in our backyard.
On October 9, 2024, I reached out via text and asked for an update. He responded that he was "Def behind schedule. I don't have a date for you. Need to get a cpl jobs done first. Let me look at the calendar when I get home and I should be able to give an estimate." He never called or texted. On October 12, 2024, I reached back out "Hey Adam - just checking in to get your thoughts on timing" to which he responded "You mean to be done?" And I said "To start or to be done? You think this year is still feasible? Totally understand if it's not... just want to know if we should just close the pool." He said "I'll call you I. (sic) A cpl hours." To which I said "cool". We did speak and I said if he can't get the job done this year, to just return my money and we can regroup in the Spring. I got the impression he didn't really like the idea of giving me my money back. He said he would get back to me. I didn't hear from him again until November 30, 2024.
On November 30, 2024, the day the job was supposed to be completed, I got a text from Adam "Hey Scott. Looking to start there soon. Will you be around today or tomorrow to go over the plan?" I said "Hey Adam - we need to have a call. Let me know when you are available" He said "Can call whenever. I'm doing paperwork." So, here I am, 3.5 months since I signed a contract and he has NEVER been back to my house since he came to sign the contract and collect his/my money and he is wondering why I am upset that in a week or two (with snow on the ground) he is planning to come GRUB OUT THE AREA. That sounds an awful lot like I am going to come put a big hole in your backyard, claim that I have done $16,534 of work and see you in the Spring maybe. I said that was not acceptable and wanted my money back. He agreed to send it. Check was NOT in the mail.
December 7, 2024 I reach out via text "Hi Adam - wanted to see if you had a chance to put that check in the mail?" ZERO RESPONSE. December 12, 2024, now feeling as though I have been lied to and clearly ripped off for $16,534, I text again "Hi Adam - checking in again. Please provide an update or I'll assume I have to pursue legal action." CRICKETS - No response. This guy promised to do a job, signed a contract to do a job, took at good faith deposit of 33% of the job ($16,534), did not ever show up again, and sent some lame text on the date the job was supposed to be completed about getting started. This is not a person that honors his contractual commitments. This is a person who took $16,534 and did nothing for it and never returned it. I am pretty sure there is a word for that.
So, here I am and getting ready to file suit, submit complaints to whoever I can, and I thought I should publish my own review of Adam Watson's Watson Landscaping & Construction, Inc., so other honest people out there don't lose a bunch of money to this guy. If I ever get my money back, I will definitely update this website. If there is no update, THEN ADAM WATSON STILL HAS MY MONEY.
UPDATE: On April 10, 2025
I received a text message from Adam Watson as follows:
Hi Scott. I'm looking to get your project completed this spring. Let me know a good time to meet.
Are you kidding me??
I had to wait a beat, so on April 14, 2025 I finally texted back:
Adam - as per our last call and my texts above, you had your chance through November 30th of last year and you are now and have been in breach of contract since November 30, 2024. You need to return my money ASAP. There is no scenario where I can trust you to undertake any work. Return my money.
I have not heard back from him since.