Simple Elegance

Description of Work: landscape design

Description of Work: I bought a deal for $299 for a professional landscape design, including plans. He’s great

Description of Work: They came up with a nice design plan and were very courteous overall, but they ignored a large Redwood Tree on the fence-line in their proposed plans.

Description of Work: The initial landscape plan was $299. The contractor stated that other plans would be needed including drainage, irrigation... I did not have a problem with that. I paid $1100 for other plans. | |My issue is with his estimate for the work to be done. He estimated $32000 and recommended 2 contractors he worked with ion the past. One estimate came in at $48000 and the other at $59000. This designer obviously knows nothing about cost. | |He wasted my wife's and my time and money. My wife has tried to contact him and no response. | |F

Description of Work: Commissioned Simple Elegance to develop a design concept to remodel our pool and patio and to provide privacy screening around our perimeter.

Description of Work: We are doing an updated landscape design to our current landscaping. It will involve meeting together and Ben coming up with a design for us as well as a planting list and resource list.

Description of Work: I live in Sacramento, and have a very small, postage stamp size lot. not far from the airport. I was looking for a designer who had experience in designing landscape for small spaces, and believe me, I was not disappointed. This company is owned by Ben Dickerson. In addition to his Beverly Hills office, he also has one in Northern California (Rocklin), so he is familiar with this area. I told him my parameters, including that I wanted run around space for 3 grandkids. Ben met with me on 3 separate occasions. He viewed and measured the property, talked to me in quite some detail about what I wanted and provided lots of suggestions, stuff I never would have thought of. He provided me with a set of plans, one in black and white, and one in color. Also got the plans via a pdf e-mail attachment. Since he doesn't actually do the landscaping himself, he recommended a landscape company. This Angie's List deal was worth every penny. If you have a chance to use Simple Elegance, I'm sure you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended.

Description of Work: Simple Elegance was great when we first met. Benjamin was punctual and seemed to understand what I wanted. The plans he came back with were nice but not what we had talked about. I have contacted the company to let them know what I wanted to change. I spoke to Benjamin and he said he would email me updated plans asap and also have a contractor contact me asap. That was the last week in October and it is the 4th of November and I have not heard from either Benjamin (va email) or the contractor he mentioned. I was happy at first but I am no longer happy with the company.

Description of Work: The owner, Ben, said he handled all of the Angie's list contracts. Ben was personable and professional. We talked so that he could get a feel for my ideas and gave me great ideas of his own. Our interaction resulted in a plan for my front yard that not only pleases the eye, but it makes me proud of my house. Simple Elegance also offers discounts on the purchase of materials if you, the owner, wants to DIY as well as suggestions for contractors that will do as little or as much as you want. I would not hesitate to hire Simple Elegance again.

Description of Work: Purchased a Big Deal for $299 for landscaping designs and plans

Description of Work: I used them for landscape design and plans, including several site visits, plant and design recommendations, plant choices and draft and final engineering design plants. Plants are creative, detailed and personalized.

Description of Work: I purchased a Big Deal for $299 for Professional Landscape Design INCLUDING Plans!

Description of Work: Designed overall landscape plan for our house. Provided plans to us with basic design and a second set of plans with what plants would be used in that design.

Description of Work: Benjamin Dickerson was punctual for all three appointments and really worked well with us and our ideas for redoing our backyard landscape. His suggestions were very good for design and over all flow of the yard. He did a complete blueprint design including: Drainage, Irrigation, Pool Deck enlargement with rot-iron Safety Fence, Landscape design with all plants and lawn specified with easy to understand icons and lighting. We are very pleased with his final design.

Description of Work: I took advantage of the special deal advertised through Angie's List for landscape design by Simple Elegance. I checked out the company website, liked what I saw, and took a chance. The Simple Elegance Landscape Design owner, Benjamin Dickerson, came to my house, spent time doing the interview to find out what I wanted and came back with a design a couple of weeks later. I had him provide me with a front yard landscape design to replace grass with plants in an East Sacramento neighborhood. I had a list of features that I wanted and he was able to meet my expectations the first time out. I did not plan to get a plan done for another 6 to 12 months, and I will not get the actual work done until next spring or fall, but this deal allowed me to "jump the gun" on the design work. Benjamin was very professional and easy to work with. I will definately get a bid from the installation crew he works with to get this work done when I am ready. We discussed "ball park" installation costs so I know what my target is. Since I always pay as I go this was very helpful for me. I always get three bids and he was in total agreement with that strategy. No hard sell, another behavior I really appreciate! I had a planting plan done by another designer for my back yard a few years ago so I have a frame of reference with which to judge costs by this company. I benefited from the Angie's List deal, but his costs would have been competative had I paid full price. I can fully recommend Benjamin Dickerson and his company Simple Elegance.

Description of Work: Simple Elegance worked with us on the landscape design for home.

Description of Work: Designed and provided backyard plans, drawings and specifications.

Description of Work: Ben designed the side and back yard, including landscaping, drainage, sprinkler system, electrical system and plants. He visted our home a couple times to look at the existing yard (boring, old, sprinkler system didn't work, no drainage) and discuss what we would like and our budget. My husband and I both felt he really "got" us. It's a small yard and we had a limited budget. But we like to use it. He could point out the things that instinctively were unappealing, but that we had not articulated, such as too many straight lines. A degree of whimsy or humor is important. I wanted something low maintenance and low water, but not no maintenance. We have to have some lawn. We used his recommendation of a landscaper, Tom Peck at Sierra Landscaping. We have some work yet to do, but they have both finished the tasks they were hired for in an outstanding manner.

Description of Work: I used an Angies List Big Deal for a complete landscaping design for $299.

Description of Work: We have T shaped backyard 2500-3000 sqft big with uneven profile at the boundary. While we looked at different places (internet/friends/books) for landscaping ideas, we could not come up with a good design. We needed professional help to come up with landscape design keeping in mind our budget constraints and we used angies list for this.

Description of Work: He did a landscape plan for my front and back yard.

Description of Work: Backyard landscape design.

Description of Work: He did a landscape plan initially then contracted to find subs to do the jobs. Update June 18, 2012: He is well qualified and has a high skill set but as time has elapsed, availability and supervision have diminished. I will update this review further, to give the most accurate review of my experience. July 10, 2012: I have contacted this landscape architect several times, but he has not come to the job site. He collected $750.00 and did not fulfill any of his obligations beyond drafting a plan for which had been paid for in addition prior to the $750 charge. I have to conclude that this individual is a scam artist and I would advise all concerned to avoid signing any contract or paying for services in advance. My next action will be to take him to court if he does not return my money and make good damages. July 12, 2012, On consulting his attorney, he offered to review how much work he has done and offer additional services at no charge. I am waiting for him to send more details. I think most people would not want this level of grief, aggravation and duplicity. I will continue to update this little drama. July 18, 2012 The drama continues. I sent this email on July 10. Hello Ben, I have been unhappy with the level of service from you. I would like to terminate our contract. As I see it after the initial evaluation and plan very little additional time has gone into the project at 669 Lake Wilhaggin. I have worked with Raf* (the working crew) and that has been satisfactory. I propose that you keep 1/3 of the $750 paid to you and you send me a check for $500.00 I look forward to receiving the check and parting on acceptable terms. If this is not acceptable, I will pursue the issue in small claims court. Norman Weinstein His reply on July 11: I am sorry that you are not satisfied with the services that were rendered. I would be happy to send you an itemized list of my billable hours. Please review the contract that was discussed and signed (by you) if you should have any further questions. Numerous attempts were made on my part to rectify this situation. In reference to your claim about damaged plant material, those plants were scheduled for demolition. On one of our many job walks with Custom Arbors (your contractor), we discussed the possibility of saving those plants. I told you that the transplantation process would be difficult because of the heat and time of year. Per our phone conversation two weeks ago, in order to resolve this matter I suggested that I purchase three new five gallon bushes at twelve dollars each and that I would continue consulting with this project for free. After consulting with my attorney I was advised that all correspondence between either party shall be via email for legal purposes. Please let me know how you would like to proceed with this matter. Benjamin Dickerson I have not heard from him since July 11. Obviously, I want to resolve this tempest in a teapot and be done with his endless procrastination but I also don't want be scammed. It's a shame that a person with his talent conducts his business in this fashion. Anyone following this soap opera, can read Benjamin Dickerson's comments. However, here is the payment section of his contract: Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses (a) As compensation for Consultant's services under this Agreement, the Client shall pay, or cause to be paid, to Consultant a fee (the "Construction Consulting Fee") of Seven hundered and fifty dollars ($750). This fee is for the on-site consulting and design advisement of the Client's residence located at : 669 Lake Wilhaggin dr Sacramento CA The Construction Consulting Fee outlined above shall be paid as follows: Completion of each work week ending on Friday, the total sum of hours provided by consult in invoice based on $75 per hour. Any additional change orders shall be paid in full as received. I did pay him the $750 immediately, since that is what the contract called for and I pay my bills directly. Unfortunately, I did not see him thereafter, nor could he be contacted by phone. The company sent to do the work was essentially unable to contact Dickerson to ask about various issues. The company that is actually doing the work is run by someone who is honest and hardworking. I have no problem whatsoever with that individual, who is available and honest. I wish I could say the same about Benjamin Dickerson or Simple Elegance.

Description of Work: I got a quote from Simple Elegance to redesign the back yard.

Description of Work: In this economy you need to be careful to not over spend and be in debt to a yard. The best way to do that is to have a good plan. As the owner of a new home I have never started from scratch before and I didn't want to make mistakes that I would have to change later. I had several different landscape designers come over to make recommendations and give ideas some of which I thought were good, but then I met with Ben from Simple Elegance. After he really listen to things I said and ideas I had Ben came up with a plan that was truly amazing. He took my simple ideas and expanded on them in ways I would never have thought of, Ben took common ideas and made them unique. He considered the views from all angles in the yard as well as adding in different levels to give dimension to a flat backyard. Ben also designed our plan to be done in stages, so we don't get in over our heads financially. Some of the work we have been trying to do ourselves to save money and Ben has always been available to answer questions that come up and make suggestions, on the bigger things Ben has referred us to different contractors that help to work within our budget. Ben has been a great resource for all the details of our project from the big things to the small items, I can't thank him enough he has saved us so much money, and has given us a better end result.