Business ProfileforH.L. Services

BBB confirmed that H.L. Services had not obtained a necessary license from New Mexico Construction Industries Division. BBB encourages you to contact the following agency or agencies to confirm this information: - https://www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries/ - 505-476-4700

On 07/24/2023 the BBB reached out to the company regarding services being advertised on their website that requires licensure.  As of 05/06/2024 the company is still advertising services requiring licensure in spite of multiple attempts to work with the business to address these issues.  During attempts to work with the business, BBB noted other services that required licensing in addition to satisfaction guarantees that did not include disclosure.

Regarding advertising appearing in https://www.hlservices.com/ is advertising services requiring licensure; 

"We offer residential and commercial landscape maintenance and redesign services, as well as sprinkler, flower bed, and dry bed arroyo and xeriscape installations.

We pride ourselves on providing quality services at quality prices, and we offer a three-year parts and labor irrigation warranty in addition to our satisfaction guarantee."

"Sprinkler Installations

Turn to HL Services for experienced landscapers who will be able to help you figure out which type of sprinkler system you lawn most needs in order to thrive."

Under 14.6.3.8(A)(1) " To act in the capacity of a contractor as defined in Section 60-13-3 NMSA 1978, an entity must be issued a license."

60-13-3(A) NMSA 1978 defines a contractor as "any person who undertakes, offers to undertake by bid or other means or purports to have the capacity to undertake, by himself or through others, contracting.

"Contracting includes constructing, altering, repairing, installing or demolishing any:
(5) dam, reservoir, canal, ditch or similar facility;
(12) leveling or clearing land;
(13) excavating earth;
(15) electrical wiring, plumbing or plumbing fixture, consumers' gas piping, gas
appliances or water conditioners; or
(16) similar work, structures or installations which are covered by applicable codes
adopted under the provisions of the Construction Industries Licensing Act"

5, 12, 13 would be activities necessary to construct a "dry bed arroyo".  15 would be activities associated with the installation of sprinkler systems. 

Under the BBB Code of Advertising section 1, titled Basic Principles of the Code

"1.1 The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any objective claims or offers made before publication or broadcast. Upon request, they should present such substantiation promptly to the advertising medium or BBB.

1.2 Advertisements which are untrue, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, falsely disparaging of competitors, or insincere offers to sell, shall not be used.

1.3 An advertisement as a whole may be misleading by implication, although every sentence separately considered may be literally true.

1.4 Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements, but by omitting or obscuring a material fact."

The company's advertising is misrepresenting the company as competent to perform services for which no required competency license has been issued. 

We also found advertising appearing in https://www.hlservices.com/ is advertising a satisfaction guarantees. 

Under the BBB Code of Advertising section 20, titled Warranties or Guarantees 

"20.1 When using the term “warranty” or “guarantee” in product advertising, the advertiser must clearly and conspicuously include a statement that the complete details of the warranty can be seen prior to sale at the advertiser's location, viewed on the advertiser’s website or, in the case of mail or telephone order sales, made available free on written request.

20.2 Advertisers should only use “satisfaction guarantee,” “money back guarantee,” “free trial offer,” or similar representations in advertising if the seller or manufacturer refunds the full purchase price of the advertised product or service at the consumer's request.

20.3 When “satisfaction guarantee” or similar representations are used in advertising, any material limitations or conditions that apply to the guarantee must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed."

Federal requirements concerning warranties and guarantees can be found in 16 CFR Part 239.2 and Part 239.3 enforceable by the FTC

2. "If an advertisement mentions a warranty or guarantee that is offered on the advertised product, the advertisement should disclose, with such clarity and prominence as will be noticed and understood by prospective purchasers, that prior to sale, at the place where the product is sold, prospective purchasers can see the written warranty or guarantee for complete details of the warranty coverage."

3. "(a) A seller or manufacturer should use the terms “Satisfaction Guarantee,” “Money Back Guarantee,” “Free Trial Offer,” or similar representations in advertising only if the seller or manufacturer, as the case may be, refunds the full purchase price of the advertised product at the purchaser's request.

(b) An advertisement that mentions a “Satisfaction Guarantee” or a similar representation should disclose, with such clarity and prominence as will be noticed and understood by prospective purchasers, any material limitations or conditions that apply to the “Satisfaction Guarantee” or similar representation."

We have been unable to locate any details of the satisfaction guarantee in the advertising.