Custom Scapes

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Their professionalism is unparalleled.  We have used other highly rated local landscapers in the past but found the experience to be either extremely expensive or unprofessional. The addition of the new room necessitated redoing the entire front yard and entryway including walkway, patio, tiers of stone and all bushes, trees.  We got 3 estimates from recommended landscapers, they were the middle priced estimate.  Lance, Sarah and their employees delivered above and beyond what we expected, on time, in budget. Exceeded all expectations.  Highly recommend them for any job, large or small.

The work began within a week.  The owner made several trips to round up the unusual plants we wanted, and to secure the vessel for the fountain.  After the work began, it was completed within 3 days, with no remaining mess.  The company has remained in contact with us to be certain all was going well.  We have since hired these people again to make a few additions my husband decided on.

In creating the new scape, the designer used some of the existing plants as would be appropriate, thus saving us some cost.

June, 2014 Update:

In the time following the initial installation, we have found problems with the quality of the work.  

• The fountain:  The pump motor burned up due to loose landscape fibers that fell into the water tank, and were subsequently sucked into the intake mechanism.  Those landscape fibers should have been secured to eliminate the possibility of becoming entangled in the motor.

Leaning Bottlebrush Tree:  The Bottlebrush tree that was planted in the front of the property has continued to lean over to the point it will require some major replanting, or removal.  We were told by Custom Scapes that all Bottlebrush trees do this.  We have seen many vertical Bottlebrush trees in The Villages, so we doubt that statement.
Irrigation problems:  We were notified that we were using excessive water for irrigation.  Upon investigation, numerous nicks were found in the irrigation tubing, causing a large amount of water to be wasted, and, consequently, a large charge for irrigation.

Summary:  It is unfortunate that these problems have arisen.  The original design continues to be interesting and unique.  The quality of the workmanship is the issue.  Custom Scapes does not include a maintenance service, so we have secured another service to deal with these problems.

CustomScapes was one of 3 landscapers I asked to bid on landscaping for my new home in The Villages.  My lot is teeny, but it backs into the walls of a courtyard villa and I envisioned turning it into a courtyard like I've seen in Italy.   However, the "vision" was pretty sketchy since I just moved from Michigan and knew nothing about Florida plants.

When I called CustomScapes the owner came out the next day.  I showed him some pictures of courtyards that I found appealing, explained the kinds of plantings I liked and didn't like, and gave him my budget.  I could tell from his questions and comments that he "got me." 

Within days he had developed computer-generated images of his plan using pictures he took of my house.  He also showed me what he could do in the front and still stay within my budget.

The final results were spectacular!  He completely transformed my "blah" backyard into a private oasis that we use constantly!  (If I can figure out how to do it, I will attach some before & after pictures to show you what I mean.)

Not only do I think the design was exceptional, but the plantings were so much larger and healthier than those I see in other homes in the area (and I'm talking about the homes where owners have hired professional landscapers to enhance the landscaping that is part of a new home package.)

CustomScapes has made the views from inside my home inviting and has enlarged my useable living space since we now spend a large portion of our time outdoors.  I would highly recommend them to anyone considering landscaping.

On 4/23/10 this company installed 3 sabal palms and other plants and bushes in our front yard.  We had been told by the company that we could pay by credit card but when the job was finished, the owner got very abusive with my husband and demanded to be paid by check which we did.  My husband had just undergone quadruple bypass surgery in January 2010 and this explosion by this man was detrimental to my husband's health and wellbeing.  Subsequently, one of the sabal palms died and we called on 10/12/2010 and 10/25/2010 and the tree was looked at on 10/26/2010 and finally replaced on 11/8/2010.  We were not home when the tree was installed and never had a chance to see the tree before installation.  When we did see the tree, we thought it did not look very healthy but decided to give it a chance but it never looked healthy or grew even though we fed it in accordance with instructions given to us by this company when they planted the original sabal palms on 4/23/2010.  We called the company on 5/24/2011 and the following week someone stopped by to look at the tree and stated that it was dead and that we had probably not fertilized it enough and we again called on 6/6/2011 and after several calls on 6/8/2011, someone from the company called back on the same date and advised us that we had probably over fertilized the tree and that they were not going to replace the tree nor would they remove the dead tree.  Advised we would have to pay $250 in order for them to remove dead tree and replace with a new tree.  We were advised by this company that the trees were guaranteed for one year and both trees died well within the warranty.