Imagine finding a landscaping crew cutting down two of your prized trees without your consent. That’s what happened to Denise Harris, a homeowner living in Hillsborough County, Florida, as reported by the Tampa Bay 28 I-Team (1).
Harris says the crew removed two queen palms from her front yard in December, with each tree valued around $2,000.
The catch? Harris had not authorized any of the work.
“I didn’t ask for this, and I sure didn’t deserve it,” Harris told Tampa Bay 28 Consumer Investigator Susan El Khoury.
The landscaper, Stephen Sciuga of Steve’s Landscape Consulting Service, claimed he was simply following orders. He says he received a text directing him to Harris’ address to remove the trees. But Harris says she never sent any such request.
After the work was done, Sciuga allegedly promised to return and repair the damage, but Harris says he never did.
Investigators say it’s still unclear whether the crew was sent to the wrong property altogether, but it’s a detail that could carry legal consequences. If so, both the landscaper and whoever placed the order could potentially be liable for the damage.
“He said he had gotten a text message saying to come to this house and cut down the palm trees,” Harris told the I-Team.
And it wasn’t the first strange request tied to her property. Harris says another landscaping company showed up at her door days earlier after receiving a similar text. The message, sent by someone identifying himself only as “John,” included Harris’ exact address and asked for tree work on what the sender described as a “new property.”
Harris says she has no idea who John is or why anyone would be ordering work at her home.
The investigator attempted to reach the sender behind the mysterious text, as well as Sciuga, but the calls went unanswered.
The trees themselves weren’t small yard plants. Harris says they were mature queen palms valued at about $2,000 each, towering specimens that can grow up to 50 feet tall and are a signature feature of Florida landscaping.
Harris says the crew also cut a power line, destroyed a hibiscus plant, and tore up parts of her yard, all damage that could take years to fully restore.
Attempts to track down Sciuga have led nowhere. Calls to his phone went unanswered, and the business address listed for his company turned out to be a canoe rental and RV park where staff say he no longer lives and is banned from the property.
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Attorney Stephen Hatchey, who handles real estate cases, told the I-Team that many people don’t know how to protect themselves once the damage is done, but that homeowners do have some options.
That means taking clear photos and video of the damage and if possible, before-and-after images of the property. Note the dates and times, get witness information, and keep any physical evidence, such as tree stumps or damaged materials.
Hatchey says homeowners should send a formal demand letter outlining the damage, the estimated cost of repairs, and a clear deadline for payment. Send it by certified mail so there’s proof it was received.
While landscaping work in Florida doesn’t require a license, verifying a contractor’s licensing and insurance can still be crucial. According to the Better Business Bureau, you can verify this with your state’s licensing agency (2). Licensed contractors can face penalties through the state’s regulatory system and, in some cases, consumers may seek compensation through recovery programs. When dealing with unlicensed landscapers, however, homeowners often have fewer options.
Hatchey says a property damage attorney can help pursue a civil case and determine whether others may share liability, including the person who may have ordered the work. Florida’s small claims courts handle disputes of up to $8,000 (3). In those cases, detailed documentation like photos, estimates, and written communication, can often become the deciding factor.
Cases like Harris’ are a warning to all homeowners: unauthorized work could be more than just a contract mix-up, it could be property damage. Take photos, keep records, and escalate if you need to.
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Tampa Bay 28 (1); Better Business Bureau (2); Florida Courts (3)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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