A local landscaping company is getting bad reviews for its patio and deck work.
Patricia and Greg Stevenson hired John Brill, owner of Done Right Lawn and Landscape, based on a good referral from a friend. He promised the Stevenson’s a beautiful patio to go with their incredible view in Annapolis, instead they were left with a half-finished space that fell short of their expectations.
“We wanted to just finish off the patio, not really change a whole lot just fix the bricks,” said Patricia Stevenson.
They hired Brill last November with the goal of having the patio done before the holidays, but once his crew started work they saw some things that didn't look right. They notified Brill and he would come over to address their concerns, however, there weren't any improvements.
“He came back with a crew in February, I guess, but we've never seen him since then,” said Greg Stevenson.
For almost a year, the Stevenson’s have been going back and forth with Brill over text messages. They say he hasn’t responded to their requests to fix the patio or refund the nearly $10,000 they paid him.
“I should be standing on some bluestone and this is refurbished brick I guess, I think,” said Greg Stevenson. “These [bricks] are all just loose. Here's another one, loose, these are all loose.”
The Stevenson’s reported Brill to the Better Business Bureau, who had already received complaints from other homeowners.
“They had a patio built, the patio collapsed. In one case, a deck addition was being added on, they removed it and didn't rebuild it,” said Angie Barnett, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Greater Maryland.
Brill never responded to the BBB. ABC2 also tried contacting Brill by phone, email, and at two Anne Arundel County addresses connected to him and his business. Brill could not be reached for comment.
Brill also has a track record with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, the state entity that licenses and regulates home improvement contractors. In 2015, they ordered Brill to pay back $900 to a claimant for “unworkmanlike and inadequate home improvements.”
“That resulted in the suspension of their license,” Barnett said.
In addition, Brill may not have been posting his own photos on his company's Facebook page, which is no longer active.
“We found instances in which the photographs used in their social media postings were photographs that in essence could be called stock photography,” said Barnett.
Before hiring a contractor, it’s recommended that homeowners check the Maryland Home Improvement Commission's website to see whether that person or business is licensed. And to check their reputation with the BBB or through online reviews.
The Anne Arundel County State's Attorney also has four active cases against John Brill.
