Coochie HydroGreen Lawn Services

WARNING – BEWARE OF COOCHIE HYDROGREEN: Coochie, a 'family-run' business, claims on its website that its franchisees are all 'fully insured and licensed'; unfortunately, their 'service warranty' is a nonsense and, if there's a problem, your only recourse is to deal with the 'fully insured' franchisee. In our case that is [Name Removed] (servicing Wembley WA and surrounds).

We moved to our current address in August 2024, having had native gardens previously. In August 2025, our three areas of established lawn were virtually destroyed by a company that admitted to using the wrong product to spray weeds. We were offered 'restorative' visits as recompense, but no compensation towards remediation costs that were upwards of $5,000, apart from refunding the initial service fee of $300.

We determined not to make the same mistake again. To preserve and nourish our restored lawns, we contracted [Name Removed] of Coochie Hydrogreen for ongoing maintenance at two-monthly intervals, as recommended by him.

From day 1, Mr [Name Removed] proved unreliable attendance-wise; he was also dismissive of our reservations about products used. He did, however, assure us (unsolicited) that he was FULLY INSURED should any problem arise.

On his second visit (for which he gave me five minutes' notice), I pointed out to Mr [Name Removed] weeds in the front lawn that should have been suppressed as a result of his first visit. I offered to remove them manually but, instead, Mr [Name Removed] sprayed them with what turned out to be undiluted Bronco Max – on a 35˚C day. Within 24 hours, there were dead patches everywhere. Surveying the damage a few days later, Mr [Name Removed] offered 'free' monthly servicing until such time as the lawn recovered. Because I now lacked faith in Mr [Name Removed] product expertise, I asked him to instead top dress, plug and seed all the dead areas of lawn at his expense. He refused and we had to pay someone else to do it (~$500 so far).

When I requested a refund of the fee for the visit that caused the damage ($150) and Mr [Name Removed] insurance details, he blamed us, saying we should have watered within 12 hours. We had! Eventually he refunded the initial fee but still will not provide his insurer details OR offer to cover any of the costs of remediation. He has also stopped answering his phone.

I have contacting Coochie head office by email and phone several times. Even when the 1800 number is answered (often it's not), the 'manager' is not available. I did speak to someone very young who says Mr [Name Removed] has admitted his 'mistake' but all they can do is 'talk' to him.

This week we erected a sign to warn friends, neighbours and passers-by against using Coochie Hydogreen in general and Mr [Name Removed] in particular. I sent photos of the sign and the current appearance of the lawn to Coochie 'head office', who haven't responded and now refuse to take my calls. I think they expect us to just go away. Is anyone else tired of being 'mugged off' by 'licensed and insured' contractors?

Addendum: after 6 weeks of to-and-fro between head office, us and Mr [Name Removed], our costs of remediation were finally paid, no thanks to the franchisee himself, who fought us every step of the way. Thankfully, the franchisor finally stepped in when we said we would go to consumer protection. What a ridiculous saga, and one we could have done without. I DO NOT recommend this company.