HURSTHOUSE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

Hursthouse designed and installed backyard lights and patio for the previous owners. When we first reached out to them, they were very responsive. We had even referred others who used them. While were reaching out to a couple of companies to take a look at drainage issues that had surfaced in our backyard. These issues surfaced after they designed and installed our patio, but the response was they did not install anything for backyard drainage (even though the designed and planned the backyard? You think that would have come up). Before even looking at the project, we were asked to sign a $500 contract. I have heard of fees for getting expert opinions, but $500 is over the top before they even diagnosed the problem. After having others come look at the issues, we have realized that most of the problems stem from the drain system they did install. So all in all, the work looked great, but was not great in practice. Too expensive and unreasonable to sign a $500 contract sight unseen.

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I started my search by going to the American Landscape Architects website and looked for companies familar with sustainable practices, native habitat installations and after finding several in the Chicago area, starting looking at each website. I thought that the portfolio on the Hursthouse website was extensive and beautiful. I sent an inquiry e-mail and immediately received a phone call from Bob Hursthouse. We met on site and went over our needs and preferences as well as the LEED elements. Bob explained his experience, expertise and examples of working on "green" projects. He provided a very rough quote and agreed upon acceptance of his proposal to attend the LEED meetings. He also met with us to go over the landscape design and concepts and Greg Schaumburg, the landscape architect assigned to our project, gave us detailed specifics regarding how the plans would incorporate numerous LEED requirements and followed up with the city on the proposal. Once the site was ready for the landscape crew, Charlie Eastman, the project manager, met us on site to go over each element of the plans and they proceeded immediately. We had an issue with the installation of bluestone completed by the mason contracted by our builder. It was shimmed, had sub-par quality grouting and was uneven and just shoddy. Hursthouse was exceptionally responsive with coming out and completely remediating the installation. They painstakingly removed all of the installed bluestone, cleaned it up, torched detailed the edging and reinstalled the bluestone. It looks beautiful and exquisitely installed. Thrilled with how it looks and especially with how helpful Hursthouse was in making sure that we were happy with our front porch. At this point, the weather has halted the project as the concrete driveway has to be poured before the landscaping installation can proceed. They have discussed the project with the concrete subcontractor, the company dealing with the site clean-up and rough grade, the gutter/downspout subcontractor as well as the builder. They are quite cooperative, friendly and easy to work with. We look forward to the spring when our project can be completed.

When I moved into my home in 2006 we found we had a significant grading issue that was causing water to leak into the basement. We needed a pro to regrade the entire property and redesign the landscaping around the entire house. Bob and the Hursthouse team were a pleasure to work with. The grading was shot professionally and the water drains perfectly. The landscape design is beautiful. They installed hardscaping and it was done beautifully -- so much so that other contractors have commented on the quality. When the turf grew in "lumpy" they ripped out all the sod and replaced it free of charge -- at there own suggestion. When a shrub died two years later, Bob replaced it without charge. And the team was punctual and responsive. The experience was so good that when I needed additional landscape design and hardscaping in 2011 I went directly to Hursthouse. They cost a fortune (but are comparable to other high-end landscapers in the area) but when you really need a professional design and execution of an important project, Hursthouse is worth it.

MET WITH BOB TWICE AND HE WAS VERY COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL. ON SECOND MEETING, PROVIDED HIM WITH A SKETCH OF IDEAS AND SURVEY AND ASKED FOR A PROPOSAL TO DO WORK. INDICATED IT WOULD BE 2 WEEKS, THEN SENT A LETTER INDICATING IT WOULD BE 3 WEEKS, LEFT A MESSAGE AFTER 4 WEEKS AND STILL HAVEN'T HEARD BACK...