White Shovel Landscapes

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The part that I paid for turned out well. They came and do what they were supposed to do. I had them scheduled to do some work for me and I postponed it until spring so they haven't actually done any physical work but they did come out and gave me the plan and they did everything they were supposed to do. They gave me pricing on taking everything out and redoing the whole work. They gave me a printout of the stuff that we decided on and all the good stuff. It was a little while before they got to me but they weren't after that. I gave them a $50 down payment as well to schedule me for the replacement of the troughs. They did a good job as far as giving me the design, showing me pictures on what it would look like and everything is fine. They're a little pricy but you get what you pay for.

Three brothers, the first comes to give you an estimate. The second comes to do the work. The third comes to say it would be better if we do it this way. So they redo the first job. The estimate was very high, but we were anxious to get the work done and did not get a second estimate. Sorry we didn't. Part of the job was to put in drains and bury them. They never finished, and now we have ugly drain pipes exposed on our property. Getting them to return a telephone call or come back to finish the work is impossible. We will have to get someone else to finish the job, then go to small claims court, or sue them if the added work is higher than we expect. When putting in the drains they cut the sprinkler system pipes. They put them back together, but did it wrong. No water to the zones. They tried to find the celluloid that controls the three zones but couldn't. I finally had to call the company that installed the system to find where White Shovel went wrong. White Shovel agreed to pay for an hour of the work of the sprinkler company. It took three hours at $100.00 per hour. So far we have not seen the $100.00 that was agreed upon. It seemed OK then, but when repairing a cut pipe there as certain procedures that need to be taken to prevent further damage. White shovel did not know this, and another problem arose, and another $85.00 to fix that.

I am extremely pleased with the work this landscaping company did. They are a family run business providing a quality service. I really didn't know how this completely landscaping remodel would go for the front of my house. They took 3 days to complete the job of removing old overgrown plants, preparing the beds, and planting around 50 new plants, trees, and shrubs. Additionally they installed around 40 feet of rock edging and a 60 foot slate stone walkway from the front to the side of the house. There were no negatives in my dealings with this company.

I expected a better product. The initial walk through and taking pictures went well. The ideas proposed at that first meeting sounded great. The three designs I was shown were nothing like the ideas proposed at the first meeting. The designs had several plants that I do not like at all. My preference of colors or plants was never asked about. I basically chose the only design of the three that I liked but wasn't really what I wanted. I wasted $200 on this design. I would use them to do the do the prep work of my beds and possibly the work when I get a landscaping design that I like.

Initially, some miscommunication, however, it the issue was resolved, and I was pleased with completed job.

. Enter, the Bussey brothers, Mike, Isaac and Adam. An onsite visit was planned by phone. Isaac arrived a week later, taking measurements and suggestions, and offering insight into the project. A return visit was planned the following week when designs would be available with varying approaches to the landscape challenges. Final contracts were drawn for the project, and down payments made after another onsite visit. On the day work began, Mike arrived at 7:30am, as scheduled, and began marking the area where the wall would be built. Within an hours Adam arrived with a crew as a backhoe was delivered from a rental service. After a mornings work, the trenching was in place and the cutting and assembling of the retaining wall began throughout the afternoon. By the end of the day the wall was complete and backfilled with topsoil. The following morning, Adam and his crew arrived promptly and immediately began planting the area with azaleas and a dwarf Japanese maple. A final layer of mulch was added and the project was completed by early afternoon. We are not only please with the results, but the quality of the work and design. These gents came from Cullman, which is a fair stretch, but they timing and supply lines in the area were impeccable. A project, WELL DONE!

. The representative was courteous and professional. He respected our time and scheduled his visits around our convenience. It was a three-visit consultation. In the first visit, he took pictures of our yard around the house and asked us if we had any preference for any flowering or green foliage or shrubs and trees. Using this information he came back the second time with pictures showing flower beds, shrubbery and trees. A major limitation was that he could not show us alternative scenarios with different combinations of flowering plants, foliage, shrubs and trees. He had to go back and return the third time with final designs and estimated costs. Costs seemed reasonable.

We didn’t go with the proposed landscape plan but the guy was courteous and nice. He did a decent job but it just didn’t wow me so we didn’t end up going for it. He asked me questions first, he drew up a plan, then we tweaked it a little bit and then he came back with a price, the third time. He had a computer generated drawing of what the landscape would look like. Although that was helpful, I don’t believe there was a whole lot of variety of plants to choose form on the program so what he proposed was pretty generic.

We live on the side of a mountain - very sloped and rocky terrain. Our front door is about 12 feet from the ground. The deck that was removed was unstable because built on top of rocks. In order to make the new deck sturdy, the workmen cemented 4x4 post into the ground (no small undertaking considering most of the yard is rock - and rock they did remove!). A stamped concrete path was added to wrap around to the back deck and it is absolutely gorgeous! They did some extras in completing the project, removing back steps and rebuilding to land on concert path (again adding cemented 4x4 post) and landscaping around air conditioner units with natural rocks. The entire project was estimated to be completed in about 1 week but in reality took much longer due to weather conditions. We had rain nearly every day of the project. The crew worked on weekends in order to complete work that needed dryer conditions. Also, some of the railing materials were on back order but as soon as they were delivered, the crew was working on installation. It took 3 days to add the actual landscaping - a few hour project if the rain would just hold off. The only issue I had was that one of the crews did not pick up the debris left behind from their project. I called Mike and the next morning the debris was removed and area thoroughly cleaned. I am very pleased with the results and have scheduled another project to begin in November.

The service provided to me by White Shovel Landscapes turned out fine. Their final price of the project was pretty high, so we just said, "No, thanks." But it was interesting to get the estimates. He had to come back two or three times because I changed my mind. But it went fine.

In a nutshell, I did not receive $300 worth of design service per the Big Deal offer. The offer clearly stated that one would not be obliged to contract the project with WS in order to receive the complete design service. I probably could have walked into any local nursery or garden center with a photo of my front yard and left with a similar design sketch and cost estimate, and it probably wouldn't have cost $49. I purchased the design consultation package which was advertised to consist of 3 site visits, complete photo designs for two scenarios, and a detailed plan and cost estimate, valued at $300. Before purchasing the deal, I called WS to confirm that our address is in their service area. No problem scheduling the first visit for a mutually convenient time. Isaac arrived on time, and he seemed knowledgable of suitable plant types, pros and cons of landscape cloth, and how to deal with drainage from an awkwardly placed downspout. After examining the existing landscape on all sides of the house, he strongly recommended addressing the front face for curb appeal. We also discussed stamped concrete versus pavers and other hardscape options. I stated that we were interested in a low-maintenance informal design for the rural setting, something that could be implemented in stages with a combination of DIY and contracted efforts, and that we did not have a specific budget or timetable. I also noted that I'd like to include lilies and gladiolas with shrubs and low ground cover plants. He did not take any photos or measurements. Isaac showed me thumbnail photos on an iPad. Though the homes were of varying architectural styles and sizes, the landscapes were all very similar in configurations and types of plants: Japanese red maples or crepe myrtles, a row of one of three choices of green shrub, a row of azaleas or a colorful shrub, and clusters of liriope or one of a few varieties of small flowering plants, all surrounded by an expanse of brown mulch. The small hand sketch for our design followed the same cookie-cutter subdivision design formula. Another sheet listed the 3 trees and 45 plants, but they were not labeled on the sketch (and I did not attempt to add them later from my memory of the discussion), along with a couple of price totals for installing large- or medium-sized plants (about $400 difference). The prices included a transportation premium for distance from their Hartselle base of operations. No mention of a follow-up visit, or even an e-mail transmittal, to receive the photo-shopped images with the proposed design, nor a proper drawing. Since we are not ready to commit to a contract for such a project, I would have been satisfied with receiving the photos and drawings without the two additional face-to-face visits, and addressing any questions via phone or e-mail. WS has run several other offers on Angies List. One noted their standard price of $75 for a 2-appointment consulation with a site assessment and photo design. It's reasonable to assume that a single visit with no photo design product should not cost more than half of that. Therefore, I conclude that $49 for the single visit and notes I received is not even a good deal per White Shovel's standard rates. Though I did get some ideas and information on particular plants, it was disappointing overall.

I became aware of White Shovel Landscaping on Angie?s List when they had a special introductory offer. On the initial visit the representative took pictures of my house and we discussed the work I wanted done. He was very professional and asked lots of questions in order for their proposal to reflect the scope of work and types of plants I wanted. The next visit he had a baseline proposal with pictures of what my house would look like. He also presented other options. I requested some changes and he came back quickly with the final proposal. The team came as scheduled and completed the project in one day. The team leader answered all my questions about the care and feeding the plants so they could be properly maintained. I am very pleased with the final product. It is everything I hoped it would be. I whole-heartedly recommend White Shovel Landscaping.

A week before the installation was scheduled to start, my son had to replace his car and I couldn't afford to continue with the project. The deposit for the project was forfeited (which is typical and expected). They were understanding and accommodating. I will call them to re-start the project as soon as I can afford it.

Isaac was great - he really knew his stuff. The drawing we were left with was very basic.

They designed a landscape and propoesed sending back a copy of the pictures, etc and the proposed cost. They did not send the pictures and proposed cost.

The company representative was very responsive and professional. I was a little disappointed in the overall plan. Being professional landscapers, I was hoping for a little more in the way of design. What they did was not bad, just not over and above what I can do myself. For general landscaping and knowledge of what plants will work in certain situations, I feel they know their business. I was just not "wowed" with the design. That may be partly my fault in communicating what I wanted to the company representative. I would recommend them, but will not use them for my landscaping plans.

The service I got from White Shovel Landscapes did not turn out very well. They didn't do much for me. They did not give me a landscape design. They scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to me. I told them I wanted pictures and stuff like that for the design. He doesn't live close to me. I was a pretty good far away. I got the impression that he did not quite understand why Angie's List sent him so far out. That it would not going to work out for him. So I do understand that and he was absolutely right, because if he had come out here three times to draw me a design, which it said, he would have been in the hole. Because the main thing I wanted was a design. He was a nice man. He came out here one time and brought someone with him. He did take a piece of paper and then scribble down and say, "Well, I'd here and this here and this here." It was scribbled, with a piece of paper and a pencil. I would have paid him the full amount of his services, if he had actually done what I wanted. I'd imagine he could be wonderful, if he wanted to.

Everything went well. They came out and looked and gave us a plan. I guess it was fine, we never done anything like that before. So, I don't have any basis for comparison, but we met with them twice and they seem to be very professional. They came out and they did the job. They drew some plans for us to meet what we were kind of looking for.

Took my money but never provided service.

It went very well and I really like him. He was very knowledgable, professional, will work around all your plans and budget. If something is too expensive he will try and find a work around for that. The best part was we could see the finished product on his computer before it was actually done.

Mike is a very nice guy who is knowledgeable & courteous. His perspectives regarding what would look nice in the yard were on target. His prices might be competitive; however, I will get other quotes to compare.

White Shovel Landscapes have been very good. They came on time and made some great suggestions. We haven't had the job done, but it looks like we're going to go ahead and do that. They're prompt and on time. Everything they've done seems very acceptable. We've liked what they've shown us so far and that they're willing to work with us and help with what our needs are. I don't have anything to say about them that is negative so far.

White Shovel Landscapers did an awesome job!

Working with White Shovel has always been a pleasant experience. I would highly recommend them for any of your landscaping needs. They are a very creative and innovative landscape design company.