If you're going to be eternally unhappy with it, just have them remove it. They will live.

I had landscapers redo my front garden quite a few years ago. I was really pleased with most of it, but I had specified a fountain made from a granite grinding wheel (not an authentic one but they were going to make one). When it arrived, it was sandstone. Not what I wanted and not the right color. So I stood my ground, they made a new one and it's perfect. Speaking up isn't wrong. It's your money!

well, if it will nagg ang bugg you in the future, act now.

IME if you just give your reasons and after that prercise instructions it should go well.

do they get payed by the hour or something?

and perhaps a mixed approach is possible, point out the Daffodills, mark the area and ask them to remove the new rubble layer on top of the bulbs

Would it help to add finer grey Granite-gravel in a smaller size on top of the bright coarse one?

I don’t think there’s any need to be ”forceful”. It’s a request to make in a courteous tone. You’ve said the crew wants to make you happy & I agree they likely do want that outcome. Agree with others that first step is you & DH agreeing on next steps to correct what you’re not happy with. It’s not appropriate to involve the landscaper in any household disagreement. You will be paying to correct / change the stone cover. There should be an understanding of type of materials used at all stages of this project & maybe even telling crew you’ll choose the material.

According to the 6 layers of gravel on my driveway, weeds and probably even your daffodils will grow through it in due time.

" directed them to put gravel along the road to prevent rain washing out the edge." The larger gravel stones were most likely used to prevent easier erosion which may result using smaller stones.

Tell them you don't like it and ask for it to be re-done. However, as mojavemaria mentions, if you can give it a week or so, you may not notice the change as much. Except for the daffodil part - that needs to be fixed.

Personally, I know the look(s) I want and it would bother me. Once I needed gravel for my driveway. I took in a sample of the stones so I'd get the same size I had. The guy says, "Number 8". But when the dump truck comes I see it is NOT number 8 gravel. It's big stones. I told the delivery drive to "wait - this isn't the grave I wanted". He looked at me like I was nuts. It was loaded on his truck and he was dumping it. Boy, I held my ground and he wasn't happy at all and left to go get the correct gravel.

I'm betting that he had leftover gravel on that truck from a previous job and just thought he could unload it on me (well, my driveway) and I wouldn't protest.

If you're not good at "confrontation" then don't make it one.

You are the customer and you need to be pleased with the outcome. If you're not happy, tell them you're not and why and ask them what might be done to fix it. Can it be a change in material? Colored rocks perhaps? A ground cover? Can what's there be covered with mulch or something else that might not be so glaring? It's a problem and you want their help in seeking a solution. They probably have suggestions you've not thought of. It's not a "confrontation." It's a design dilemma and they can help.

But don't expect them to foot the bill because you've changed the contract. That part is on you.

I think I would say, "you know, I thought this was a good idea but I find it's not to my liking" and then tell them what you would rather have. I shouldn't think they would find it a problem.

This is between you and your husband. He told them what he wanted. They complied. Why drag the landscapers into your domestic quarrel? That's insane! They did exactly as they were told to do. You are "theoretically in charge". The contract you signed should have listed the materials YOU requested. You waited until they were finished before you decided you hated it? As soon as they started, you should have let them know "this wasn't what I had in mind", and given them a better idea of what you expected/were expecting.

What did you specify? Gravel isn't exactly generic and you could've/should've seen a sample. The color will change but the size won't. Could they top dress it will finer gravel which may soften the color and fill in between the larger stones for more stability?

Yep, tricky because it would seem that husband agreed to this work and the landscapers complied. Where you not around when the work was being done, Roxanne? Laying gravel is pretty simple and straightforward...while lifting it and removing it - less so. However, if you are happy to pay the extra charges for changing out the initial material, they will comply quite cheerfully (speaking as retired landscaper for whom this was not an uncommon scenario). No need for any awkwardness...as you say, they want to do the best job they can, will be hoping for future recommendations and will, hopefully, have a pride in their work.

Cheers, rosaprimula/camps

It sounds like your problem is your husband. You can talk to your contractors, but if your husband asked them to put the gravel there, then you'll have to pay for both the gravel and its removal.

OH, thank you all! I agree with what you are saying, and feel much better. DH has already listened (tho not understanding completely!) and is not fighting me on this. I just spoke to the head guy and he still says "whatever I want is no problem" and will deal with my suggestions. Excellent fellow!

I ought to have insisted on getting samples of gravel/stones at the start -- though I had explained about matching the gravel on our driveway, something got lost in the translation. Mea culpa, and a lesson learned. Luckily there is now a decent compromise/solution as he will get samples of pea stone today for me to judge. Score!

While they get paid by the job, not by the hour, any extra expense is ours. Naturally! So far, so good, and they weren't bothered by my pickiness -- which bodes well for future use of this company, for both of us.

Thanks again for your opinions. =)

The weathering of the gravel over time will dull them and make them blend in more with the landscape, and so may divert your attention to the gravel. One solution is to remove some of the gravel that encroach the daffodils, then scatter smaller gravel over the large gravel to blend them in. Just tell them what you feel, they will come up with some way to make you happy.

edit to add: didn’t see your post, sounds like you now have a way forward.

I ought to have insisted on getting samples of gravel/stones at the start -- though I had explained about matching the gravel on our driveway, something got lost in the translation. Mea culpa, and a lesson learned. Luckily there is now a decent compromise/solution as he will get samples of pea stone today for me to judge. Score!

Since you asked for it to match the other gravel, that's on them. But pea stone isn't ideal for walking on. You need crushed gravel if you need a solid base for safe walking, which isn't very colorful.

I wish we'd had a photo. Just be sure you know the implications, results of how each type gravel will effect your rain results and possible washing out. I have a driveway island bed large enough for a poured flag pole stand and 7 vintage rhododendrons (a couple more than 12' in height). Also some lithodora as groundcover which was not a good choice on someone's part, makes it impossible to rake any debris and I'm cleaning in there on hands and knees! But there is an edging of pea gravel around the perimeter - the driveway is sloped, long and drive-thru circular. A heavy coastal rain can move the pea gravel in a storm.

A widowed friend up the street became tired of all the lawn and bed care time and expense and had 80% of her yard done in a medium size rock. I think it looks ghastly but she's happy with it so I'd never say a word 😊

I have not read all the comments but two things stand out to me. One is that this larger rock covers your daffodils. Two is it is hard to walk on. Both of these should be addressed, and maybe most important and what might sink in with the workers is that it would be a hazard to anyone walking on that rock. And if Mama isnt happy, no one is happy. That is clear here and i would feel the same as you. Have them remove it and do it to your satisfaction.

It sounds like you have a resolution. In case it might be useful, I'll relate my own novice experience with a gravel driveway. It's a law of physics: Over time, smaller stones are absorbed into a bed of larger ones. We have to re-dress our bluestone driveway occasionally when the base of rough white gravel starts emerging. I suspect there's a way around this, but don't know what it is. Anyone?

I had a hissy fit the last time we added bluestone. When the workers started to spread it, the stones were grey! No! No! I was told this was because the stone was dry. I grabbed a handfull to rinse it in the sink. Yup -- bluestone. Silly woman.

BTW, anyone in the north might weigh the athestic -- and auditory -- appeal of a gravel driveway against the chore of finding someone who knows how to plow it.

They are landscapers, that's what they do. They will be fine with whatever you decide. However since your husband told them to do what they did, you should come to an agreement on how much you will pay them for the additional work.

Thank you for using the word ”persnickety.” Reminded me of my grandfather.

Why would being uncivil to the workers ever come into question? They did as they were told, exactly as they said they would. It’s not even a confrontation, you, as in you and your DH told them to do x, they did x, and now you have decided you want z instead. So you pay the workers to undo x and do z.

AiFL -- please believe that I would never be uncivil to workmen - poor word choice on my part, when I meant that I can get a bit wound up with my reactions (only in my mind, I am always polite to others). And of course, naturally, any additional expense to cover my dithering will be covered in addition to the original agreement.

The head guy/owner now understands that he will be dealing with me, not DH, concerning tweaks of the projects. This fellow has no problem with changes as this proceeds and I see better the possibilities of desired final results. He wants me/us to be happy, (and we are), so is accommodating, listens, and then gives his advice if it differs from mine. We both want to create a pleasant working relationship, with plans of future working together! =)

@roxanna I did understand what you meant - the overall tone of your post ‘felt’ like the issue for you was being nervous about telling the work crew that you weren’t happy with a result in part of the project. I’m also a ”persnickety/picky” person and have lived through a total front yard major re-landscape as well as a mid level kitchen remodel. It’s hard to relax & take a wait & see attitude while project underway since you don’t want to learn that you should’ve spoken up sooner at the end! Communication, written & detailed contracts are so important. If there’s a GC you have 1 point person to bounce all your concerns off of which helps when there’s several people on the crew. Expressing concerns or dissatisfaction about a project being done by paid professionals in our homes is really hard for many of us. We don’t want to offend them but we want to be happy with the end result of the work we’re paying them to do for us. It’s easy to get ’wound up’ while watching the work being done. It sounds like you’ve resolved your concerns & have a great communication process now in place. Win-Win!

KW -- exactly! Glad someone understands my foibles, lol. Thanks for making me feel better. These guys will be getting a stellar review on social media and I hope their young company will benefit by that!