My experience reflects that of RebeccaH3. I engaged Expression Landscapes to perform excavation, concreting, paving and other works in the garden. I paid for materials and labour in advance. Almost one year later and the works have not been completed. What was my forecourt is now a hole as is the lawn area. Excavated materials have been left in a pile outside my front door. My calls are not answered or returned. Ditto SMS and e-mail. Countless promises to "finish the job next week" amount to nothing. My garden area is a quagmire when it rains and to this day remains an eyesore and unusable as a living or entertainment area.

Approximate cost: $17,000

We engaged Expression Landscapes to level our site, install drainage, pave a substantial area and lay turf. We paid in advance for materials and work that was never completed. Our calls are not returned. After five months of chasing, stress and waiting, our outdoor area remains totally unusable and becomes a bog when it rains. Numerous promises to finish the job "next week" never eventuate.

Approximate cost: $15,000