Chris Drayer

Description of Work: I asked for a consultation on some front yard landscaping design -- we had several options in mind for how a front patio area might work out. Were are definite on having a front patio since the kids in our neighborhood play outside all the time. The questions include: do we want to landscape with native plants or xeriscape with some imports, did we want a wall or a barrier of planters, what size and shape patio, should the landscaping be one level or terraced, etc. The response I got was arrogant and unprofessional.

Description of Work: Chris measured the yard, reviewed the site (not in good shape), developed a plant palette and plan, a concept plan, then a detailed planting plan, and recommended a crew to do the hardscape, irrigation and planting.

Description of Work: 1. Initial meeting and property walk-through to examine light exposure, adjacent properties, and determine our highest priorities for the project: a low-maintenance landscape design that requires minimal irrigation, improves privacy, provides space for outdoor entertaining, and matches the aesthetic of the house itself, which is more cottage-like than craftsman. 2. Draw a landscape plan that shows dimensions of structures including porches, patio, seating wall, new walkways. 3. Include a drawing that shows placement and mature dimensions of plants on the property. 4. Develop a list of plants to be used in different zones of the yard. 5. Yearly inspections to make sure that the landscape is developing as it should. 6. Meetings with our gardener to discuss details of yard maintenance, including how specific shrubs and trees should be pruned or washed, where irrigation should be adjusted, and when plants need to be replaced or simply handled with extra TLC.

Description of Work: We bought a 1930s craftsman home in North Park in 2005. It was a fixer-upper. We knew that the yard could use some work, but first we had to work on the house, which needed a lot of improvements. Four years later, I was jogging down the block and I noticed a man working diligently in his yard. I'd always admired his landscaping, so I decided to stop and offer a compliment, hoping to find out who had helped to design such a natural and pleasant mix of plants for his yard. The landscape architect and homeowner were the same -- it was Chris Drayer. Shortly after, we hired Chris to help us design a new landscape for our house. We wanted something in the "cottage" style (not so tropical), because that's what seemed to suit the architecture of the house itself. We wanted low-maintenance plants that wouldn't require a lot of water, and we wanted as much privacy as possible from our eccentric neighbor to the south and the 2-story apartment building to the north. We didn't give Chris a budget limit, so when he delivered his design to us, we were completely thrilled with the drawing...until we had contractors give us bids to do the project. They wanted between $35 and $50k to do the work. We had no idea that people could spend that much money on their yard! Alas, it was our naivete that was to blame. Chris has worked on some very prestigious projects, and for clients who have very deep pockets, so we were not his usual fare. But he was very understanding of our limits and helped us figure out ways to save money on the design and installation. When we finally hired a contractor to start the work almost 2 years later, Chris came to the house every few weeks to check the progress and make sure that the design was going according to his original plan. In the end, the project turned out great. We had to move out of state shortly after it was finished, but because of Chris's thoughtful design (and our excellent gardener Vicente of Sanchez Lawn Service), the plants are flourishing, even with renters in the house, and our property is now one of the prettiest in the surrounding neighborhood.