Cave Creek Couple Seeks Refund After Shoddy Landscaping Work

Homeowners paid $22,000 upfront for a $44,000 project, but the contractor did poor work and is now unresponsive.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:00pm

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An abstract, impressionistic image of a blurred, overgrown backyard landscape in soft, warm tones, conveying a sense of neglect and disappointment.A couple's dream of a beautifully landscaped backyard turns into a costly nightmare after hiring an unlicensed contractor.Phoenix Today

A couple in Cave Creek, Arizona paid a $22,000 initial payment to a landscaping contractor for a $44,000 backyard redesign project. However, the contractor did shoddy work from the start, including severing the home's watering system which caused flooding in the garage. The couple has now learned the contractor is unlicensed, and the contractor is no longer returning their calls. They are seeking to get their $22,000 payment back, but the expert says it's unlikely they will be able to recover the funds.

Why it matters

This case highlights the risks homeowners face when hiring unlicensed contractors, as they have little recourse if the work is subpar or the contractor becomes unresponsive. It also underscores the importance of doing thorough research on a contractor's credentials before making a significant upfront payment.

The details

The couple in Cave Creek hired a landscaping contractor to redesign their backyard for $44,000, paying a $22,000 initial payment. However, the contractor did poor work from the beginning, including severing the home's watering system while the couple was away for the weekend, which caused flooding in their garage. The couple has now filed a complaint with the Registrar of Contractors after learning the contractor is unlicensed, but the contractor is no longer returning their calls.

  • The couple paid the $22,000 initial payment to the contractor.
  • The contractor severed the home's watering system while the couple was away for the weekend, causing garage flooding.

The players

Cave Creek couple

Homeowners who hired an unlicensed landscaping contractor and paid a $22,000 initial payment for a $44,000 backyard redesign project.

Landscaping contractor

An unlicensed contractor hired by the Cave Creek couple to redesign their backyard, who did poor work and is now unresponsive to the couple.

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What they’re saying

“My wife says that we should just admit that we made a mistake and find a new licensed contractor. I am fine with finding a new licensed contractor, but I hate to walk away from $22,000.”

— Cave Creek homeowner

What’s next

The couple has filed a complaint with the Registrar of Contractors, but the expert says they are unlikely to recover the $22,000 they paid upfront, as the unlicensed contractor is likely uncollectible. The couple may want to consider mediation to try to resolve the dispute.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of thoroughly vetting contractors, checking their licensing and credentials, before making significant upfront payments for home improvement projects. Homeowners face significant risks when hiring unlicensed contractors who may do poor work and then become unresponsive.