THE GARDEN GNOME

Submitting this review: 4/23/2016 Started landscape approximately 4/5/2015 I first want to say that I have never written a negative review for anyone. But I feel I must for Chip at THE GARDEN GNOME, INC., 2306 Towery Tr., Lutz, FL 33549, 813-789-9616; 813-631-8954. My main complaint was from our initiall meeting (I should have been warned). We just could not communicate. Chip would tell me how wonderful he was and how everyone loved his work. I also thought he had his own nursery (which I found he did not). During discussions I would tell him I didn't like a certain plant he had suggested, and he told me how great it would look. I ordered plants for around my pine trees and plants around a tree on the side of my house. The installers had reversed what I told Chip, and Chip told me it looks good this way. Of course, he is never wrong. I had ordered a tree for the center of my back yard with white flowers. After a couple of months it started to bloom, and to my dismay, it was a bright pink. He said he had ordered a white tree. We tried to negotiate a switch. He did tell me he would switch it out at that time but the tree I wanted wasn't in the best of shape. If he put it in it wouldn't look very good now but it would that following year. I called and texted him to discuss this matter and he would not respond to my numerous phone calls or texts, I finally said, “I give up” and the tree can stay, and he would give me one clean up of the yard instead. After a couple of days, I decided I didn’t want to look at that pink tree and that I wanted the white one (but a different type). After about a year trying to get in touch with him by e-mail, phone calls, left messages, he still would not reply. Finally I left a message that I was going to leave a bad review on Angies List or was going to go to 8-on-your-side, that is when he finally replied to my text and said the offer was no longer on the table and if I wanted the tree replaced it would cost me $278.00. I have already spent $4,135 for the entire job - I have a small yard - and a lot was left in place. It certainly was not worth it. There were bushes in my front yard which I wanted to stay and he convinced me that they were not good and that they should be replaced. I feel like I was taken. I have a few plants now that he planted a year ago that are dead. It has been very frustrating and discouraging to think a client would be treated like this. Not even the courtesy of returned phone calls and texts. Everything was mainly by text. I tried to call both of his numbers. No return calls for months. The one time he did come out to replace a dead plant in the back year, I wanted to be there so I could talk to him about my concerns. He made sure I was not home, so I never got to speak with him. Chip at The Garden Gnome is the worst landscaper I have ever dealt with. I thought if I went through Angies List, I would receive honesty and integrity. It was always what he wanted and not what I wanted. The last company I used for landscaping through Angies List was wonderful and I expected the same this time.

Provider was on time and performed services advertised. Will use again in future.

Chip with Garden Gnome and his crew did an excellent job. Chip knew I did not want to exceed my budget and he designed the landscape and put implants and a palm tree and other greenery which is essentially self-sufficient. The yard looks great and his prices were very fair. I would definitely recommend Garden Gnome to anyone considering landscaping and / or sod.

We weren’t super happy with what they drew up so we went a different direction. There was a time delay in contacting us and then we had to set up a scheduling time frame before they came out. Their price seemed a little high. They showed up on time. They could have responded a little faster after we bought the offer. They seemed more interested in using the $25 evaluation to find a name and address.

Excellent! The staff worked quickly and were courteous. I'd use them again.

It was not good. His price was too high. He just showed up and was way out of line.

Nice layout. Had them to do the work outlined for additional $$ (can't remember now the amount). 1 /2 years later, all but 4 of the plants are living. Those died shortly after planting but I did not contact the provider to have them replaced. My bad.

Arrived on time, evaluated yard and garden, then gave recommendations for improvements. Did not do soil analysis. I did not use them for any further service, so can't evaluate beyond the evaluation.

We were very disappointed in what we got for $75 when other landscapers were willing (and did) come and give us an estimate and sketch of plants with names at no charge. The only reason that we decided to pay for the service was that we expected to get someone with lots of ideas as well as a very thorough knowledge of plants that were cold hardy, slow growing, colorful, etc. What we got was a run of the mill review. He sat in his truck while he drew up a plan. He had no pictures of the plants he was suggesting and we in fact made suggestions that he then incorporated. Once again, we were looking for someone to lead us not the other way around. We eventually found someone else who had enthusiasm and a good deal of knowledge who gave us exactly what we wanted without paying for an estimate.

We did the landscape plan through a deal on Angie's list back in May 2015 and due to some family issues I was not able to contract to have the work performed until 6 months later - they honored the original quote. We scheduled the work for November 4th. They arrived mid morning and took out the old very overgrown plants, outlined the beds and planted beautiful plants that compliment each other and look spectacular. They gave me watering and care instructions and the plants are all thriving and doing well. They make the house pop. Very professional and the work was completed as planned and on time. I would not hesitate to use this company again as well as recommend them highly.

The consultation went very well and met my expectations.

The crew arrived on time, worked efficiently, and got the entire job done within the 3 hours contracted for. I'd have paid for another hour if they needed it to finish, and they knew that, but they didn't "milk it" for the extra money. So they're honest and they do high quality work. I've spoken with the owner, Chip, about monthly service during the winter, and he gave me a good $$ rate for that, too. He also gave me a lead to a very good nursery nearby that I hadn't known about, and I'm quite pleased with the quality of their plants and the helpfulness of the owner.

Made an appointment for them to come by my house to get estimates. No call, no show. Waisted my time.

It turned out fine. They came out to do an estimate. We decided to go with somebody else for the actual work that was going to be done. He came out and did the estimate. He also filled the requirement. He was professional about everything. It was a little bit of scheduling on both ends. He came out maybe a month later. There were some drainage issues that we have. There were also some leveling and landscaping that needed to be done. It was not an outstanding experience but it was fine. He went around and I talked to him. It was what we had expected like giving us suggestions. He was suggesting plantings in different areas. We decided not to go with them because of the cost. We don't want to spend a lot of money. I would definitely recommend them. We had them do work previously.

Fantastic. Good price, was on time, and was extremely professional. Chip was always available. Will use them again for our Christmas lights and future landscaping jobs.

I wasn't sure how this would go, as this was my first Angie's List Deal purchase. They are so backed up that it took two weeks to come out and even look at my job. Then it was another two weeks before the work could be done. The deal was for three people for three hours. One showed up on time, but the other two were late. They did get the work done at the front of the house but we did have some other things completed that there just wasn't time for. They did haul off debris, which I am not sure if they are going to charge me for. I think overall I am happy with the work, although I think I could probably find someone to do similar work for a bit cheaper and more quickly. The lady in the office was very nice when I had to talk with her to set up appointments. The person that came to do the initial inspection of the job was professional.

They were very prompt and courteous to schedule the work. They arrived within the time frame planned and did a great job with very little intervention from me. I will use them again when I need mulch or weeding etc.

The owner came to my home and I told him specifically what I wanted. He was reluctant to provide me with a plan which was what I paid for and when I insisted he crudely drew the back of my house without any dimensions. Then he gave me an estimate for 7000.00 again, without any indication as to how he came up with the amount of materials. In essence, this was a fraudulent deal and I paid for him to come to my home for an estimate.

Prompt ,professional,experienced staff. Very happy. Neighbors want their services also!

Pricey, but a good job and a job I didn't want to do. The owner provided lots of ideas for future work, and was very helpful. I would use this service again.

We are living in a home we built about seven years ago. There are two oak trees in the front yard that shaded out about 50% of the grass. Chip came in and removed the grass in the shaded area and replaced it with a mulched garden filled with shade tolerant plants. He also built and planted a terraced garden bed and a raised garden bed in the back yard, and added drip irrigation and additional rotating heads to the sprinkler system to cover the new plantings. The work in the back yard completed my plan for landscaping this 1/4 acre from when we had the home built. Chip and the crew at Garden Gnome were punctual, and got all of the work (and it was a lot of work) done in three days. The result was better that I had envisioned. Chip and his crew were prompt, professional and have a great eye for landscaping. It was a pleasure having them do the work for us.

we had a death in the family and did not proceed - not a fault of provider

Hand design/hand drawing, What I got was great for the price. I was able to take this drawing and complete my landscape redo.

I bought a $300 coupon for 9 hours of yard cleaning. Honestly I was not pleased with the result. I don't think it was worth the money I spent.

It took a while to get the job scheduled but they did great work (in between rain showers) and removed all the yard debris!