[TexaninVA]

I’m wondering what others have experienced as “standard business practice” in dealing with a major landscaping job.

We just dealt with a designer for one of the largest local landscapers and whose name all would recognize. They’ve been around here for many years. The designer gave us an excellent potential solution and weaved together plants, colors, walls, and lighting in a most impressive way. What gave us pause however is the way she approached the business aspect.

Here are several examples:
• While she had a drawing, and a two page detailed work plan on which she based the price, she would not provide us copies, nor what she based her price on.
• The price was not itemized except in a most general way.
• There was no specific listing of what plants would be purchased/planted, vs a number of plants currently on our lot to be relocated.
• She wanted 50% cash down up front.
• When she proposed the lighting solution, it was obviously way overpriced, and details scant as to control system and such.
• When I asked her about running the design through the ARC, she said there was no need to do that. She said … “I do this for a living … I know they will approve it.” (which misses the whole point of the ARC process I thought)

So, are these more or less normal practices for landscapers? Any comments or thoughts by those who have had work done? If you’ve had a good experience with a landscaper and designer, please provide names and numbers. While I liked the technical solution she presented, I’m not too keen on the way she conducted herself. Disappointing actually.

Thanks in advance for any observations you may have.

[BobnBev]

We are extremely satisfied with Megan from TerraScape.

[redwitch]

Few landscapers will leave their designs with you -- too much risk that you'll simply copy the designs and do it yourself or use a gardener type to do the actual work. Also, it's hard for a landscaper to give you the price of the plants or even what type unless they own the nursery as well -- sometimes it is a matter of what's in stock and what condition the stock is in. (A good landscaper doesn't want to put in second-rate plants just because that is what was committed to on paper.)

Sadly, many want at least 50% up front. I know Rupert Cross doesn't regardless of what is being done but too many do.

As to the ARC issue, again, most landscapers don't bother with ARC. Don't know why and I think they certainly should, but they don't.

Good luck on finding the right landscaper to fit your needs and wants. Show us a picture when you're all done.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by TexaninVA

I’m wondering what others have experienced as “standard business practice” in dealing with a major landscaping job.

We just dealt with a designer for one of the largest local landscapers and whose name all would recognize. They’ve been around here for many years. The designer gave us an excellent potential solution and weaved together plants, colors, walls, and lighting in a most impressive way. What gave us pause however is the way she approached the business aspect.

Here are several examples:
• While she had a drawing, and a two page detailed work plan on which she based the price, she would not provide us copies, nor what she based her price on.
• The price was not itemized except in a most general way.
• There was no specific listing of what plants would be purchased/planted, vs a number of plants currently on our lot to be relocated.
• She wanted 50% cash down up front.
• When she proposed the lighting solution, it was obviously way overpriced, and details scant as to control system and such.
• When I asked her about running the design through the ARC, she said there was no need to do that. She said … “I do this for a living … I know they will approve it.” (which misses the whole point of the ARC process I thought)

So, are these more or less normal practices for landscapers? Any comments or thoughts by those who have had work done? If you’ve had a good experience with a landscaper and designer, please provide names and numbers. While I liked the technical solution she presented, I’m not too keen on the way she conducted herself. Disappointing actually.

Thanks in advance for any observations you may have.

I had some work done when I first moved in. I was told the exact type and number of shrubs/plants to be planted. There was no drawing and nothing in writing but he did exactly what he said he would do. I was satisfied.

The most important thing is that he didn't ask for any money in advance. Villagers have been told many times, in newspaper articles etc.., that they should never pay for any materials in advance.

About the ARC: If no new planting beds are created, there's no need to get approval. But if you are creating new beds in places where there may be underground utilities, you should have it approved. Not so much for flowers and such but especially for trees.

[John_W]

When you said 'she', I thought of our landscaper who was a woman. That was Sabrina McGowan Landscape but when you said there was no breakdown and a deposit up front, then I knew it was somebody else. Sabrina McGowan gave us a detailed price estimate of the trees, shrubs, rocks and labor before the job was started. When the job was completed last March 25th a half day early, she deducted $625 from the bill for labor.

I'm currently in the process of trying to get plans ok, d by Arc .It's aggravating because we back up to Pinellas and are being told we can't do what we want because of the setback. I drive up & down Pinellas and see quite a few walls that I'm sure weren't submitted to Arc because they are well beyond the setback rule.That to me is one of the major differences between a reputable landscaper & one that will do what you want disregarding consequences as long as they get paid. They'll be nowhere to be found when the s..t hits the fan and the homeowner gets a knock on the door& it's ARC saying your wall has to come down.So maybe I'm a worry wart but I even went through the ARC to put up my flagpole.

Oh Jamies landscaping is doing my work. He's very well known in the Villages and follows the rules.

[travelguy]

run, do not walk away from so-called landscapers like this person. 50% up front is ridiculous. and the lack of a detailed estimate is fishy. generalizations, and promises are not what you would want in a contractor. regardless of how many years they are in business, they do not have to conduct themselves like this.
buyer beware.

[Dafoe]

Mark Sr. from Village Landscapers told us that they changed the set back rule since last spring, so now things have to be placed further in from the property lines. Village Landscapers ask for NO money upfront until the job is done and you are satisfied. They give an item by item breakdown on the price and any change is priced out prior to being implemented. They stand by their work and guarantee their plants for a year. His reputation is based on standing by his work. I won't put money down till I see the product!!!