Watering

[Lanelle]

Until very recently we have had so much rain that watering hasn't been an issue. Now we are starting to have some installations at new homes go in where those responsible for watering aren't doing it and the plant material is suffering.
I'm looking for ideas of how to get watering information to the homeowner since we do our work before the new homeowner goes to closing and the builders don't care much. It may be in their new home packet but that's probably sitting in a file drawer while they unpack. Meanwhile their new landscape is dying and the builder will want us to do warranty replacements.
I thought about putting a 'door hanger' style card on the major trees with the watering/warranty info on it. How have you handled this issue?

[Stonehenge]

I like that idea - is it typically a long time between planting and closing?

Contacting the new owner before closing might make the builder look bad, depending on how it's approached.

But if it's a long time between you planting and the homeowner moving in, the info might be received too late.

Hmmm.....

Maybe a mailer to the new homeowners current address (old house)? Not sure I like that one, either....

Think...think...think...

[Stonehenge]

In my travels today I saw a watering outfit watering annual beds at a strip mall. I was in too much of a hurry to take a pic, but will do so next time I see them (they're near my house).

It was one of those Isuzu cab forward trucks with a stake body, and an approx 600 gallon tank with gas pump feeding a line that looked like a garden hose, at the end was a watering wand. I've seen them water from the driver's seat, and also stop and water with the hose outstretched. Flashing lights and the whole bit.

Pretty simple setup, it would seem. Couldn't tell if they had anything on board to get the water from hydrants, though I don't think they could, as I've checked myself, and got a big thumbs down from my local municipalities.

[Lanelle]

We can water if we are getting paid to do so, but some builders are so penny-pinching, there isn't any money to do that or they say that they will water until closing. (Yeah, right and I'd like to buy a bridge in Arizona) The real issue is the communication with the homeowner so that they understand that they will not be rewarded with a new landscape after they abandon all efforts to care for the first one. This has to be a friendly but firm communication piece.

[Stonehenge]

ooops. I think I goofed this up with the watering truck thread you had. :blush:

[AZTLANLC]

I feel your pain, even tough I clearly state I won't replace any plants or grass installation due to lack of water, I feel that my name and reputation is above anything else.

In this type of situation I set up couple of timers and hoses, then when I know the homeowner is living there I go and meet with them, tell'em I'm ther to pick up my hoses and that the watering is their responsability from now on, sometimes they even ask if they can buy the timers and hoses, or some times I'm more lucky and get more work.