The extremes of weather we have experienced over the past few years have thrown up a number of problems for Landscapers. Ground heave and shrinkage of the ground under paving has been the most common complaint, although contractors are now more aware of the issues and are taking steps to alleviate potential difficulties.
There has also been an upsurge of complaints from customers regarding the condition of natural grass turfed lawns, although not so much about the preparation of sites, as the resultant quality of the grass conditions soon after the laying of turf.
Turf quality, and the expectations of some customers who desire the ultimate sward in their garden, and who believe that by ordering turf, they will immediately own a Wimbledon Court in their garden, is frequently the cause of Legal Disputes.
When buying a carpet for the house, owners will go to great lengths to choose the right type, colour and quality of their product. Obviously, with turf, the choice of colour is not going to be wide, but quality is something that is often overlooked by both contractor and customer.
Making the correct selection of the turf is therefore neglected by all concerned, until the lawn is laid, and client expectations not met. By introducing a vigorous interview regime with the customer, who should be quizzed on the use and maintenance proposals for the lawn, and following a soil sample analysis by the contractor to enable a recommended choice of seed varieties, a fully specified selection may be offered.
Many customers do not understand the need to have a suitable seed mix for turf, able to survive and thrive on their site, with some believing that Rye Grass is something to be avoided at all costs. Frequently of course, dwarf rye grasses are essential for the long term well-being of the lawn, and this fact should be explained to the customer.
Having decided on the nature of the soil, and any potential issues with water-logging or ground that is too free draining, an informed choice of the type of seed mix for the turf may be arrived at. All turf supplied should be to BS3969 1998 plus AI 2013, or TGA Specification approved (Turfgrass Ground Association) Each seed variety should be chosen from those listed by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), with tolerances tested to match the type of lawn the client requires.
Close mowing regimes, winter colour choice, disease resistance and leaf fineness (especially if required for ball games e.g. bowls, croquet etc, where leaf resistance is important) will all play a part in making the selection.
The contractor should quiz the client regarding the type of mower they intend to use, and the frequency of cut, to ensure that recommendations may be made regarding future maintenance. Do they intend to play tennis or other games where damage by shoes turning quickly on a small area is expected?
Will they be installing an automatic watering system, and if so, how will it be regulated? Do they have pets or visiting wildlife that may cause chemical issues with the grass? Will there be children playing and riding bicycles on the lawn?
Is the ground likely to become waterlogged at any time, and if so, has the site been fitted with land-drains? Are they working efficiently? Is the site in full or partial shade, or full sun?
If so, these facts need to be noted for use when making the selection of grass seed varieties.
To avoid any future problems though, it is essential that the contractor supplies the customer with as much information and choice as possible, with the conversation recorded in writing, together with any recommendations.
A contractor, issuing a detailed set of aftercare instructions, based on firm evidence gleaned by taking soil samples, proving the pH of the site, nominated use of the lawn, type of mower to be used, and frequency of cuts, will have no difficulty in defending a claim from a disgruntled customer, complaining that the lawn is not fit for purpose.
Without this level of technical and formalised written specification, a contractor is left open to financial claims based on Consumer Protection Acts for supplying a product not fit for purpose. If a customer is not supplied with a written report making recommendations, and providing the contractor with their intended maintenance plans, it becomes difficult for a contractor to prove they have not been negligent or lacking in Duty of Care.
After care leaflets should be considered, or at least, a detailed written aftercare letter, dated and supplied at the time of practical substantial completion, as a hand-over document, passing responsibility on to the owner at the earliest date.
After care information may extend to highlighting any potential problems – botrytis, fusarium or mildew for example – or those manifestations that occur naturally, and are not a cause for alarm such as field fungi that are not harmful.
Seeded turf should be treated as a special element in any Landscape project documentation. It involves living plants, that have been subjected to great stress during the harvesting, lifting, transporting and laying operations, and require greater attention than most other plants in the new garden. It is the duty of the contractor to make the customer formally aware of that fact, and ensure that they fully engage in the aftercare of the installation of the lawn.
Be aware of the customer who demands ‘the perfect lawn’. There is no such thing, and can never be!
By highlighting the nature of seeded grass turf, and the stresses that the plants undergo, the contractor is offering an opportunity to provide the client with a priced menu of turf varieties, costs and the likely maintenance commitments they will have to make to become owners of the lawn they desire.
Of course, some clients may simply request ‘a lawn’. As the contractor you are still obliged to make recommendations and include your choice -and the reasons – in your quotation in order to avoid future claims and complaints.