BE REAL Landscaping

I hied Ray at BE REAL Landscaping to start service mid-​month of April. During the interview process, I explained I was no longer able to do the gardening I used to and I needed TOTAL monthly yard service due to my severe arthritis. I requested that the blower not be used near the house because of my allergies and asthma. Ray agreed, just l as all of my previous gardeners did.
My yard has regularly won «Garden Grove Pride Awards» for curb appeal and is a high maintainance yard. In fact, this spring my home won 1^st runner-​up for my zone for «Home of the Year». Ray was well aware of my needs and set a price that was agreeable. To ensure good service, I added an additional 20% as a bonus to his monthly charge.
For the first month and a half he did a wonderful job. The first week in June was the last good service I received from him. The second week he did half of what he normally does. The third week was a «no show» with no communication. I had to call the office many times before I received a response. Brenda, the office manager, was not aware he didn’t show up. Later, I was informed that he injured his back on another job. I was assured by the office manager that he would «catch up» on all of the things he omitted during the last two visits.
Today, the final Friday of the month, Brenda called two hours before Ray was scheduled to come to tell me he would not coming because he had «heat stroke». She also informed me that he would no longer sweep and insisted on using the blower everywhere, and I would most likely have to wait another week before he showed up again. At this point my yard is an absolute mess because it has not seen proper service in three weeks!
A substantial part of the problem is being unable to communicate directly with Ray once he has left the property because he never answers his phone. All communication must go through Brenda first, then she tellls Ray, and then she relays what he says. It is a real shame because they seem like nice people; they just don’t know how to run an efficient business that you can rely on. I could not, in good conscience, reccommed them.