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WikWorksInc

About us

Established in 2006 (March) while owner Ryan Wikman was in school at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Stockbridge School finishing up his classes in the Landscape Contractors program. Ryan Wikman has worked in the "green" industry for the majority of his life. His first job in the green industry was at Dorans Greenhouses in Lexington, MA. From here he worked for Tory Woods Landscaping in Woburn, MA. While finishing up his schooling at the University of Massachusetts in Landscape Contracting he Incorporated and the rest is History. Our company slogan, "Work with the Earth", can be viewed on all our equipment and employee uniforms. When I came up with the slogan for my company, I came to the realization that my whole goal for WikWorks,Inc. was to be a company that strives to "work with" all the site conditions of a clients landscape. The first step we take in evaluating a landscape project is establishing the sites strengths and limitations. If the chosen location is one of low light, then plants requiring minimal amounts of sun light will thrive. However, if the area contains both shaded and full sun conditions, then your plant options have increased drastically. Plants always need to be located in an area which meets their light requirements, making it very important to understand your plants. Seeing that we are located in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area, all our project locations receive plenty of moisture due to the fact that we are in a region considered to be somewhat of a "rain forest" with high amounts of moisture each year. Although varying light and moisture conditions can be considered limiting factors to a landscape project, they also can be considered strengths when the appropriate plants are chosen. The next step is to examine all existing plants. Are any of the plants struggling to survive, do they require excessive maintenance? If a plant has outgrown the site or they suffer from insect attacks or disease, it is best to remove entirely. We then evaluate the existing non plant conditions of the site. Are there problem areas causing drainage issues? Are there steep slopes? Are the existing hardscapes functional? Are there areas for relaxing and for outdoor activities? All of these observations help in the success and satisfaction of each landscape project. This analysis helps us in selecting plants and non plant features that will "Work with" the current conditions of the landscape projects chosen location. Get to know your soil, its texture, soil structure, drainage/water holding capacity, ph levels and fertility. Understand the sites fertilization requirements, temperature ranges, light and shade levels, microclimates and more. Whether it be grading and drainage issues, varying ph levels in the soil, light conditions, moisture conditions, accessibility and so forth, our goal is to "Work with the Earth" and not against it. We approach every job, no matter how different they all may be, with this slogan in mind.

Business highlights

Emergency services offered
19 years of experience

Services we offer

Block, Build then Maintain company dedicated to the enhancement of the New England environment. Whether it is Brick, Inc. is a Landscape Design, Soil, Stone, WikWorks, Wood or Water, build, if you can dream it. We can design, then maintain it.

Amenities

Emergency Services

Yes

Free Estimates

Yes

Accepted Payment Methods

  • CreditCard
Reviews
2.618 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
39%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
61%
Showing 1-18 of 18 reviews
Robert L.
Jun 2016
1.0
$525
unknown

Homeowner
May 2016
1.0
unknown

Jo W.
Mar 2016
1.0
$700
This is my second review of Wikworks.  After failing to show up to do the work they promised to do contractually, we met with the owner in his office in Lexington (Lowell Street).  He apologized profusely and asked us to give him another chance, and if he failed to meet our satisfaction, he promised to reimburse us the entire fee of $700 we paid up front.  We agreed and shook on it, but again, he failed to show up when he said he would, when he did show up once the work done was less than satisfactory.  When we tried to reach him, after emailing and texting to tell him we wanted our money back, it was impossible to reach him (vm box full, unresponsive to emails and texts).  We have since filed a small business claim and recommend others do the same.  We received the same "ceasing operations" email from him as others.  

THERESA B.
Feb 2016
1.0
$700
Kinks appeared on the first snow above the 2" trigger as we were serviced hours after the storm. Communications were always proactive and quick, but the service seriously lagged. On this light snowfall year, the service ceased operations on 2/16/2016 due to cash flow issues. 

Denise W.
Feb 2016
1.0
$525
Ditto everything the prior complaints stated!  From what I gather from all the blue signs around town (and from being told once by him and someone else it was over 600) a lot of people are affected. He contracted with us, we paid a hefty fee up front, and then we received the ridiculous letter (posted by someone else below) stating:  sorry, no can do!  are you kidding!?
I agree with the prior comment, there's no way to tell if it's accurate or truthful.
He isn't responding to emails or returning telephone calls. No surprise there.
The letter sent to us (and presumably to all 600+ customers) was ridiculous!! We had a contract. It's NOT our problem if his financial situation may or may not be 'bleak'.   Do the math, 600 x approx. $500 each = $300,000 (he got). (the range depending on driveway size was a little less than $500 up to $575 or more as I recall).
I agree with others as well that the service was poor. Several emails and calls for 'comebacks'.
Here's what others CAN do if interested:
1. dispute the amount with your credit card company
2. file a BBB report
3. file a review with Angie's list (the first time I tried to do this, I didn't find him and gave up); It's under WikworksInc (all one word, so tricky to find). I found it the second time. I believe that's the only reason there aren't a LOT more reviews here on him.
4. contact attorney general's office
5. sue in small claims court
Lastly, the address he lists here is not the address that is listed with the Secretary of State's Corporate Division (which is public information and anyone can look up). So it's unclear if the Lexington address is even the correct or accurate one. On the Corporate website, It's under Wikworks, Inc. and lists a different address as of January 22, 2016.

ANTHONY J.
Feb 2016
1.0
$425
I pre-paid $425.00 to have my driveway cleared this winter. The Wikworks contract lays out a very clear set of expectations for each snow event of 2 inches or more. We've had a very mild winter with below average snowfall and Wikworks has never satisfactorily provided the contracted services at my home. Then, this morning, I ( and the rest of Wikworks contracted customers) received an email stating that they were suspending operations altogether for the remainder of the winter citing higher than expected costs associated with attempting to meet increased demand (much of it created by Wikworks aggressive marketing over the summer). Given the circumstances, it's impossible to tell whether or not the explanation is accurate or even truthful, but I and Wikworks other clients are now in the unenviable position of trying to decide how to recoup money already spent and to move our own snow for the remainder of the season. It's hard to describe just how angry I am. Please use extreme caution when doing business with Wikworks..Better yet, avoid them altogether.

Mary R.
Feb 2016
1.0
$525
Service began poorly and then went downhill fast!!  Seemed to be a start-up business with new equipment. i.e. snow blowing tractors, lots of advertising, big promises, seasonal contracts, paid for entire season upfront .   I experienced a new problem with every storm this year (ex, late to show up, thick ice on driveway, dent in garage door from a plow instead of the tractor they promised),   Just received an email from owner that they have folded and are discussing with lawyer (?).   They will definitely be in court with all the signed contracts and prepaid fees, not to mention clients left high and dry in February. 
 I didn't like the idea of paying in advance, but, regretfully, did it to avoid stress and strain of dealing with snow removal with an injured  shoulder.  What a mistake!!

RALPH M.
Feb 2016
1.0
$450
The following is the email received by clients 16FEB16. Despite paying for the entire season they are stopping service with no offer to refund (just a "the company is seeking legal advice" comment)
WikWorks Inc. Operations effective immediately
Dear valued client,
 
With deep regret we must inform you that WikWorks is no longer able to fulfill its obligations to complete the snowblowing service for which you have contracted.  We were able to provide excellent snowblowing service on a smaller scale last year to a select group of clients.  The service was successful and all our clients were satisfied.  We were expecting and planning for the same experience this year, but we grew too big too fast and were not able to keep up with the exponential demand. We underestimated the amount of cash flow that would be necessary to make it through the winter.  We sincerely believed we could operate successfully under this model of snow removal, but it has become apparent that we have no choice but to cease operations effective immediately.  We are extremely sorry and ask for your forgiveness for the inconvenience this has caused you. It was our desire to provide excellent service. Ryan Wikman, the owner of Wikworks, has been in business for ten years and has always prided himself on providing excellent service.  We are truly sorry that the expected level of service has not happened for many of you this year.  The company financials became very bleak over the last couple months, and it now seems that we will be left with very few choices.  The company is seeking legal advice to explore options. Again, we are sorry for this inconvenience and ask for your forgiveness.
 
Best Regards,
 
WikWorks, Inc.

Markus S.
Feb 2016
1.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Service was terrible when they were still officially providing it. Lots of emails with excuses as to why the service had not been performed or performed poorly. And then basically leaving customers high and dry halfway through the winter. (Borderline) fraudulent. I believe the owner will be dragged into small claims court by many customers.

Jo W.
Jan 2016
1.0
$700
The provider has failed to show up when he says he will.  When I try to call, I can't even leave a message because the box is full.  So far, we are not impressed and very concerned for the rest of the season.  
We are interested in hearing from other customers who are having this issue. So far, it's as if the Emperor is Wearing No Clothes!

Peter S.
Sep 2015
1.0
$2,200
I hired Wikworks in October 2014 to clean up my front yard after installing a 500? well to serve as the heat exchange medium for a geothermal heating system.   Wikman  filled the holes, graded, applied topsoil and seeded (his statement of work said hydroseed, but that?s not what he did).  He also replaced the portion of a paver footpath that was torn up during the drilling operation.  This was in late October 2014.  No green shoots.  I called him and expressed my concern, and his reply was ? ?well, that?s what warranties are for.? After the call I examined my paperwork; found this:  ?No warranties issued until full payment is received.?  Since his schedule stated the final payment (30%) was due (and paid) on the day the job was finished, the takeaway is that you don?t get to see the warranty until the job is finished.  Hmm.   (Note: I still have no warranty; paid in full on Oct 29, 2014.)
Fast forward to May 2015.  Email to Wikman advising that the seeding results were very spotty and that sealing had not been done.  A crew came out and put in a new batch of seed and fertilizer ? with much better results.  But they did not finish the job (polymeric sealing ? which keeps new seed from growing between the pavers).  He did not respond to telephone and email requests.
 Lessons learned:
1.      Insist on warranty before sealing the agreement.
2.      Hold back 10% at the finish of the job to insure that the job is finished as contracted.
Not showing a warranty until you have paid the bill should have been a showstopper for me.  It should be for you also.

Merrith S.
Aug 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,500
They have been here by 7 AM each day - and worked 1/2 the day yesterday in the rain, until the rain got very heavy in the afternoon.  They work hard, take very few breaks, and are polite and professional in speaking with me.  They are also in partnership with Reading Asphalt company, which will be repaving our driveway in a couple of weeks, so they are aware of exactly how to prepare the final surface to be ready for the paving.  They don't overlook the details - and they ask questions ahead of the process so that you don't have to make snap decisions.

Joan W.
Aug 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$450
Went very well. Clean edges.. Made return trips.

Linda P.
Aug 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$425
We contracted with Wikworks for snow blowing service this winter. We cannot express how 100% happy we are with the entire experience. If I
could give this service 100 stars I would.

This service is not just someone showing up with a hand-held snow blower. It's 7-foot wide on a cabbed tractor. It does an amazingly thorough job in a flash. Wikworks came in the middle of the night when needed, and would make at least two to three passes per storm depending on the amount of snow--and it was a record breaking winter. Incredible service.

One of the best parts is the communication. Ryan sends out regular email and text message updates about when snow blowing passes will begin. You can track the tractor on with GPS so you know when the blower will arrive allowing you to clean and move cars if necessary.

I can't remember the last time I was so pleased with a service provider. Outstanding.

Matthew E.
Jun 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,000
It exceeded expectation. Yard was simply done right. The crew even patched up some parts of the lawn that weren't the primary project.

Darnyel D.
Jun 2015
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,400
The workers were very professional and worked fast! They cleaned up after themselves and kept everything tidy.

Alisa S.
Jan 2013
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
see above

Christopher K.
Feb 2012
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$10,000
I am happy to give Wikworks my highest recommendation! Ryan, the owner, designed and built my backyard patio and garden and now does the annual maintenance for it. He and his company are amongst the most professional contractors that I have ever worked with. Ryan is highly competent at garden design and construction and has exceptional attention to detail. He and his team are always on-time, work hard and efficiently, and get the job done. They do exactly what they say they will do, when they say they will do it. He also does a great job communicating with my wife and I, listening to our plans and expectations, advising us about possible options or areas of concern, and adapting his own ideas to incorporate our needs.

All of the work had to be executed in the middle of the city of Boston, which complicated matters. However, Ryan never let this effect the work and never complained about the difficult parking circumstances or the set of stairs that he had to bring all of the dirt out and bricks in. Ryan was always present throughout the work, not just supervising his crew of workers but doing much of the work, including precisely cutting irregular pieces of brick to fit. He also spent much time with my wife and I, helping us select appropriate plants and shrubs that would survive in our very shady city garden.

Wikworks continues to maintain the garden and I plan to continue to work with them in the future. I would not hesitate to recommend them for any garden or landscaping job!

Licensing

State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our Find Licensing Requirements page.

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FAQ

WikWorksInc is currently rated 2.6 overall out of 5.

WikWorksInc accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard

Yes, WikWorksInc offers free project estimates.

No, WikWorksInc does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.

No, WikWorksInc does not offer a senior discount.

Yes, WikWorksInc offers emergency services.

No, WikWorksInc does not offer warranties.