Buyer Beware

As we enter winter, we want to offer a friendly reminder to all prospective customers to do your due diligence before making a decision on who to do business with. In our ten years of business, we have seen over a dozen new synthetic grass installation companies start a business, only to fail and shut down usually in 12-24 months. Your warranty is only as good as the company that installs your turf. Does the warranty cover workmanship? Dream Turf's warranty covers materials and labor for 7 years.

Business is seasonal in Seattle so many companies have a difficult time in the off season. We believe this is why so many companies that have tried to compete in Seattle have failed. Dream Turf's advantage is that we were first to market and pioneered synthetic lawns in Washington. We also have built a robust wholesale distribution business that helps our bottom line year round. We ship our turf all over the country and sell about a half million square feet annually.

Some of the questions you should ask when considering hiring a turf installer are:
1. Are they licensed, bonded and insured in the State of Washington? Their credentials should be on all their marketing materials by law.
2. If they have employees, are they covered by L&I insurance? If not, you are liable if an employee get injured on your property. Both questions 1 and 2 can be verified online at http://www.lni.wa.gov/
3. How long have they been in business? Do you want to trust your install to a company that may not even be in business next year?
4. How many installations have they done? We have over 2000 to our credit.
5. What is the scope of their warranty? Does it cover workmanship? The turf is unlikely to fail, workmanship on the other hand is critical.
6. Do they use sub-contractors to install? If so, look out because they may not be punctual, accountable or experienced. Some companies use subs because they can't afford to hire their own employees or they don't do enough work to justify having employees.

We have seen numerous bad installations performed by inexperienced or unethical contractors. We typically don't repair other contractors sloppy work. Many installers also use the wrong gravel base material. Dream Turf only uses permeable gravel and we have had this lab tested for drainage. We have not had a single complaint regarding drainage in ten years with over 2000 installs ... and we have transformed countless yards that previously had very poor drainage.

Please consider your choices carefully. We don't mind good competition, its good for the industry. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples out there that can't be trusted and it is important to do your homework so you won't be disappointed.

Dream Turf is proud to be charter members of the ASGI and John Davidson, President of Dream Turf also serves on the ASGI Board of Directors. We honor the ASGI Code of Conduct listed below:

Code of Conduct
Statement of Business & Ethical Practices

Each ASGI Member and ASGi Certified Builder Member Company agree to abide by the
ASGI Code of Conduct and Statement of Business and Ethical Practices:
The Association of Synthetic Grass Installers members recognize their obligation to serve our industry,
our public, our employees and our communities by striving to deliver the very best, always. They are
committed to the highest standards of honesty, integrity and responsibility in the ethical conduct of their
businesses. A member’s conduct in all matters should reflect positively upon the industry. No member of
ASGI should engage in any action that might bring the Association and its members into disrepute/dispute.
Each ASGI Certified Builder Member Company Agrees to:
Demonstrate and maintain the integrity of the synthetic grass and artificial turf industry through fair, ethical
and honest conduct in all situations and in a manner that complies with local, state and federal laws;
Properly, effectively and professionally serve the needs of the ultimate user or consumer of the company's
products or services by providing the best in products and services, on time, on budget and as promised;
Advertise or communicate to all, by conversation, correspondence, newspaper, magazine, radio,
television, or any other means of communication by providing:
* True and proper representation of all policies, products, pricing and any other services rendered
by the company
* Ethical consumer advertising, to avoid any misleading claims including false comparisons;
untrue, unproven, or exaggerated statements; trick photography; or omission of pertinent facts;
* Factual information only concerned with the growth of the company or its number of operating
outlets at the time of communication;
Never, in any way, copy or represent the trademark or other distinguishing marks of other companies or
associations with intent to mislead the public;
Use sound accounting and business practices in financial reporting and comply fully with contracts and
agreements; and
Assume the obligation to conduct continuing research, education and training in order to increase their
knowledge with respect to all phases of their business operation and to achieve better performance, quality
and successful transactions.