Totally get that rush of finding something hidden like that.

Guy gave you 900 bucks out of pocket and sent two guys to fix it, that is way more than most of these dirtbag tree crews do. Half of them would have blocked your number the second the limb hit the fence and you would be stuck eating the whole 1100. Taking him to small claims over 200 bucks and a dragging gate is gonna cost you more in time and fees than it is worth, and a state complaint will just sit in a pile for months anyway.

Fair priced and shows up when they say" is the million dollar question around here. My buddy went through almost the same thing last fall with a guy off Central. Quote was solid, guy seemed on the level, said he'd be there Tuesday at 8. Tuesday came and went, then Wednesday, then he finally rolls in Thursday afternoon with some story about a family thing. Did good work once he got going but my buddy was heating water on the stove for four days. He ended up calling the big shop on Montgomery just to get it done, paid more, but at least they showed.