I’ve lived and learned, especially when it come to roof washing, and am doing well with property protection. However, a few months ago i did a house wash and went a bit hot on my solution and damaged a rose bush. The customer texted me yesterday and apparantly the bush never recovered and is now “dead”. How do you guys make that situation right with the customer? How much is a rose bush worth if i give her cash?
Don’t just give them cash, replace it for them. Why should they deal with the hassle of digging up the dead one and planting a new one? Last time we bought some for around the house they were about $20 each.
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give them the option, or ask them what they feel would be a fair resolution. Some people are serious about their plants and do not want you planting it, others just want it fixed…some don’t even care but the $20 would appease them… talk to the client
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Good info so far, thanks. Is it possible that if it is pruned back it will recover next season?
I’d say it’s likely, but folks aren’t usually satisfied with that answer…
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If it’s just some damaged leaves, it most likely will come back fully just fine. But as stated, that answer probably won’t fly. Owning up and offering to do whatever the homeowner wants will make you a lot more money in the long run. Word of mouth is the best advertising there is. If they tell just one neighbor they were happy with your service you pay for that rose bush 10 fold.
Ditto.
I washed an upscale house this year and potentially ruined a bronze finish door handle. Couldn’t really say as I did it but she did mention the damage, and rather than argue with her I ran up to Lowes and got her a new one.
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Be sure you replace with the correct type of rose bush. Knockout, double knockout, drift, etc. And the correct color. If there are other similar bushes around the home it shouldn’t be too hard to identify, it if it was just a random rose bush, you may need to ask the homeowner what it was specifically. Perhaps the local ag extension office can guide you better.
Consider bartering with a reputable landscaper - let them handle the replacement of the bush and perhaps wash something in return for them. For a homeowner’s perspective, would they feel comfortable with a house washer (who, unfortunately already killed their plant) doing a landscaper’s job? Maybe, but you’ll have to feel the customer out on that one.
