[MelZ]

We moved to TV in July and among the other fun stuff has been working with potential landscapers. We have a CYV and only need the front landscaped which entails removing the current plant life and pine straw and replacing it will new stone and plants.

Having followed the "Perils of Landscaping" on TOTV for about 3 years this is the most daunting task of our relocation. So far we have cut the list to 3 finalists.

In the process we had:

One company came to review the work and promised a sketch and quote with days, I am still waiting 3 weeks later.

One company came to review the work and didn't listen to us at all, went back to their car for about an hour and came back with a rough sketch and price. What they quoted had no resemblance to what we asked for and they wanted 50% deposit, don't let the door.........

One company came to review the work and gave us a very professional computer drawing of their proposal. They are the most expensive of the quotes but I called them back to scale back their proposal. The owner agreed that he was higher priced than the competition but never justified the higher price (they were 75% OVER budget). Then when I reviewed their contract they wanted a 30% deposit, I told him that was a deal breaker and he told me not to waste his time any longer. BYE BYE

We are getting new proposals from the 3 finalists after fine tuning the originals.........

to be continued

[Army Guy]

Gosh, Mel they are putting you thre the wringer! Did you try Mansfield? A lot in our CYV neighborhood have used them and they seem good, but don't know price. Of course my first choice would be Sunscapes but many are down on them right now. As I have said many times, Sunscape has always done right by me.

Army Guy

[Walt.]

You might consider giving Jeremy at Advanced Curb a call. They just did our back yard and completed the work in the front yard that was left undone by Sunscape. We're satisfied customers.

[springfield]

I have met with Wendy at Village Palms and was very impressed with her knowledge and ideas. She seems to know plant material and what to plant and not plant. We want to add a waterfall and will probably use them. They have some water features at their place for you to look at and get ideas.

[kb8tpw]

Ditto for Villages Palms. They did a great job for us and it includes a water feature. We went thru the whole process, talked to a lot of folks, had a lot of estimates, and looked at a lot of finished job. It is a jungle out there but we are very happy with the efforts of Wendy, Bill and the crew at Villages Palms. Bottom line is do your homework.

[rjm1cc]

If you can it is best not to put a deposit down. Remember in Florida it is easy to put a lien on your property, even if you paid the prime contractor. Thus there should be very little credit risk for the landscaper and a biger risk to you that they do not perform. If they can not finance the job that mybe an indication that they are not too good of a company. Be sure to read about the lien laws and get releases from the subs and the sellers of the plants etc.

[villages07]

Wendy at Village Palms did our original landscape design when she worked for Fairfield Farms. I would not hesitate to go back to her again. She is very creative.

[Rag Bagger]

Try Sabriena at McGowan. They have an office at wedgewwod. They have done lots of work in Amelia and other newer neighborhoods.

[k2at]

Army Guy seems to be happy with Sunscape, but I can't stress it enuff, "Buyer Beware". Sunscape is an outfit I wud not touch with a ten foot pole. I used them and got really burned.

[MelZ]

Originally Posted by Rag ******

Try Sabriena at McGowan. They have an office at wedgewwod. They have done lots of work in Amelia and other newer neighborhoods.

They are one of the three finalists

[MelZ]

Decision time this week, down to two companies/designs, pray for us to make the right decision.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by MelZ

Decision time this week, down to two companies/designs, pray for us to make the right decision.

I am, MelZ. I hope they do a wonderful job at a reasonable price and you are delighted!!

Keep us posted.

[Army Guy]

Yes, as I said before, I have used Sunscape twice and each time they did good by me, in price, work ethic, and finished work. So I can not talk bad of them.

Army Guy

[Pturner]

Does Sunscape still take private jobs though? I thought I read in previous threads that since they have become a sub for the developer, they don't still take individual home projects. Am I mistaken?

[Chi-Town]

Here is Sunscapes web site: http://www.thevillageslandscaping.com/

Their business is located in unincorporated Twilight Zone. As I was driving south on Buena Vista from 466 I noticed that the grass in the parkway was getting a little long. But I just figured that it was the Sunscapes section of business.

When you don't return calls and don't do any follow up, and this involves a good customer, you deserve to be ripped.