Hood Landscaping

To whom it may concern, Hood Landscaping just finished the 2nd part of a large landscaping project for us. Part 1 was completed in May of 2014. They were selected over several other contractors based on their thoughtful design in solving some drainage issues and the quality materials they proposed. They weren’t the lowest bidder. We were so pleased with the outcome, there was no question as to who would be used to complete part 2. Part 2 is now finished and the results are spectacular! An enormous Siloam staircase and flower planters now grace the side of our home heading up the hillside. Drivers stop on the street to see it. Our neighbors have complimented us on how beautiful it is and how well it blends with our existing boulder retaining wall planters. It enhances what was already there. The design now looks “complete”. One of the things that we find most impressive about Ed & Molly’s company is the character of their employees. On project #1, Ryan led a team of dedicated individuals installing a huge paver pad patio integrated with an underground drainage system. They also built a smaller Siloam staircase to our upper yard. Project #2 was led by Zach with an equally skilled and caring team. Zach was quick to suggest worthwhile modifications and incorporate our ideas as the project progressed. Once you see things “coming out of the ground”, you see ways to improve the end result. Zach has a keen eye for this and adjusts the final product to come up with the best result possible. In both projects, Hood employees were courteous and respectful. They show up on time. They do more than is expected and clean up the work site each day. This reflects well on the overall management of the company as a business that is built for the long term. They aren’t a few guys and a truck with a backhoe. This is a Summit County contractor that will do what they promise and stand behind their work. A small problem appeared this winter with our paver pad constructed in 2014. Ed had his guys address the issue while they were here for part #2. Again this speaks to “building a business” and not just a short term outlook. We can’t speak highly enough of Hood Landscaping and the team that Ed & Molly have assembled. They are the only landscape company we would consider for whatever our future needs may be. Chris & Shari Dorton Wildernest

The site has "poor" soil. This information was told to me by my contractor this year, in 2016, when we looked at the site conditions. However Hood Landscaping applied no topsoil over the poor soils prior to hydroseeding in 2015 and they sent no one to follow up with watering the seeding last year. I learned this from a neighbor who watched the project construction last year. Growth from the seeding failed and 13 months after the seeding there are only a few spotty areas of growth. Hood Landscaping sent me a proposal this summer to finish the site work for 2016 and this time it included adding topsoil to the "poor" soil and reseeding the failed areas along with untouched areas. I was now being asked to pay twice for the same work Hood Landscaping did in 2015; work which was not done with attention or care or professionally last year. When I expressed disappointment in being asked to pay twice for the same work, Hood Landscaping told Fred Niggeler, project manager of GRH, LLC, that my 2015 costs would be refunded. Hood Landscaping has not kept their word on that and nothing has been refunded. Another landscaping company has been hired to finish the site work and rework the failed areas of growth that Hood Landscaping was responsible for last year. Now GRH, LLC tells me I will need to water the seeded areas in2016. But who watered last year? An out of state home owner is really at the mercy of the *professionals* and when the professionals do a job poorly it is the home owner that pays for the mistakes. My lesson and observation on this entire project is a warning to other out of state home owners that are building from a 1000 miles away. It seems many of the professionals that work on these home projects in a resort area are so used to being hired to build for owners of second homes, homes that will be occupied only occasionally, that short cuts are taken and there is a slacker mentality that disregards integrity and professionalism. It then becomes the owner's job to discover how and where the work went wrong because no one on the job will tell you. My home was to be a permanent home not a vacation home and I could write a book on what happened during this project and the attitudes I encountered that continue to this day.

I interviewed several contractors for this job and selected Hood Landscaping based on their superior references and overall technical design capabilities. In our resort area, it is common to call twice the number of contractors needed just to get half of them to show up and make a bid. Ed Hood came out and personally presented the final design and walked me through the technical details. We wanted to solve a bad water ponding problem as part of the project. This needed to be done, before the paver patio could be installed. Ed's chief designer, Ryan, came up with an innovative solution that I felt really got at the root of the problem. Ryan was there during the installation of the drain field and patio grading to ensure that his design was properly executed. I really appreciated the "personal touch" that Ed and his team brought to the project. I felt we were listened to and kept apprised of what was going on every step of the way. If I had a question or concern, it was quickly addressed and incorporated in the final work. The suggestion of using a particular patio paver from the Borgert company in Minnesota, rather than a "stock" paver from Lowe's or Home Depot, was also a great idea. The overall effect is beautiful and the pavers were much higher quality than available from a big box hardware store. As the job was nearing completion, I had an idea to build a large stone slab staircase that would connect the west end of the patio to the upper section of our backyard. Ed discussed it with me personally and took me to a smaller installation they'd done at another home in our community. He agreed that it would really add a lot to the overall result. He also advised me that this additional time wasn't in the original plans and it would be 3 weeks before his team could return and finish the project. As it turned out it was only two and it was WELL worth the wait. The effect is visually stunning and well executed. I was impressed with the team's attention to detail and pride in what they did. Adding to the technical expertise they demonstrated, Ed and Molly Hood just hire good people. The entire team that was engaged, around 8 people in total, were courteous, polite and well mannered. I bought them lunch several times and sat down and got to know them as they did my wife, daughter and grandson. I would have absolutely no hesitation in asking them to join us at the dinner table. They were a class act and a refreshing departure from many of the rude and profane contractors with whom my neighbors have suffered. Ed proved to be a man of his word. When he said he would do something, but it might have to wait a bit, he always delivered. My neighbors had a particular drainage requirement that had to wait several weeks for completion. Ed said he would get to it as quickly as their busy schedule would allow. Without reminder the team, headed by Molly as they were short handed, showed up in my neighbors drive and completed the drainage project. In summary, I can't say enough good things about this company and their team of people. They won't be the least expensive, but they will do what they say and finish the job in a highly professional manner. I won't use anyone else in the future. Hood Landscaping, a truly professional organization. Best wishes for continued success. Chris & Shari Dorton