Gardener only mentions net prices

I would actually be satisfied with the solution that he trims/prunes the plants and hedges for me over the next x years. He's constantly around anyway, so at least he saves himself the trip and I have no effort ;)

I agree with you and would not relieve the landscape gardener of the responsibility to comply with laws and regulations and to quote gross prices.

Unlike you, I would not choose a solution like "cutting plants and hedges." You will be a supplicant for years, hoping he will come by and do something. And if he does, it has to be quick and sloppy. From his point of view, he is not being paid for his work anyway. Good luck complaining and suing for the service then... that won’t work.

You're right, I'd prefer a garden house anyway :p

It's not about net or gross at all. If he gives you verbal prices, they are not fixed prices. You can't hold him accountable to that if necessary. If he wants, he will rip you off. What happened here is naive and trusting. Always write a brief summary and get approval for such things. It also works by email.

So putting everything aside, maybe you should first listen to how he wants to solve the matter?! Because how the whole thing would legally turn out in the end, you really can’t say. Since the proof could probably be quite difficult, as Bookstar says, he can also justify the price in a different way.

You yourself said you asked him whether the prices were net or gross, what did he say? Although I have no idea whether that would actually be legally relevant in the end, since he would basically have to quote gross prices. But whether he can’t claim that he only quoted these prices net (because that’s just how he has them in his head according to the list), I wouldn’t be sure about.

Were you satisfied with the work? If yes, then it might be possible to discuss additional services, depending on what he has in mind.

I am slowly no longer willing to pay for the mistakes of others who drive around in Porsche and Maserati.

I absolutely agree with you, nevertheless: ...

Mistakes must have consequences, otherwise we would live in total anarchy!

... I also consider mercy to be fundamental in a legal culture.

If the prices and awarding of contracts were all done via Whatsapp, I see pretty good chances for Alessandro....