GRUNDEN LANDSCAPING

After getting quotes from a couple other providers, we bumped into Rob at the Home Show and are very happy we did. His price was better than the others and, more importantly he seemed like a good guy and the pictures of his work were impressive. He started on time and while the job took longer than we hoped, he was here regularly and the results are fantastic. After two years of home construction and dealing with many contractors, we've come to expect being disappointed by the work ethic of the average contractor, but Rob and his team were great. He started on time, and though the project ran late, I'd gladly hire Grunden for any landscaping/hardscaping project.

Rob did a beautiful job installing the paver patio. His crew worked well together and were very professional while doing the job. The job took about 2 weeks. The job was completed on June 12, 2013. In August of 2013, we contacted Rob that some of the polymeric sand (grout between pavers) had come out in a small area of the patio. I called Rob's cell phone, office phone and e-mailed him for months before I received a reply. He did stop at our home and look at the patio in October of 2013. He ackowledged it needed repaired. Then the weather became a problem and he couldn't come back to fix the grout. I called him in late April 2014 not to forget us and come to fix the polymeric sand (grout). He said when it was warm enough he would come and make the repairs. He never came this spring nor, so far, this summer. On August 11, 2014, I sent him an e-mail to see when he was coming. He did send me an e-mail reply stating he was coming Aug 18 thru 20 to make the necessary repairs providing the weather cooperated and we must remove everything from the patio. It was sunny and dry Aug, 18, 19, 21, 22, and 25 thru 29. He has NOT come to make the necessary repairs nor has he phoned or e-mailed. From August 2013 until today, August 29 ,2014, (over a year) Rob has not returned to make the necessary repairs on my patio. His contract states and quot;5 YEARS GUARANTEE ON ALL WORKMANSHIPand quot;. This guarantee is useless if he doesn't make the necessary repairs. I will be notifying the Better Business Bureau.

After 4 bids, I chose Grunden. Paid deposit. Waited for nearly 2 months for work to start. When Rob did return phone calls, he cited weather as the problem. Once work started , it went rather quickly. Crew guys very nice. I was very specific with my design, and they copied it perfectly. However, landscaping another issue. I asked for blue spruce. They didn't plant blue spruce. When I returned home from work to see this, Rob told me the trees he planted were nicer. By fall, the dogwoods were dead. We repeatedly called with limited response. Waited til spring. Called again. He said rough winter, will replace. As of today, August 23rd, NOTHING. We pulled out dead trees. Planted in total clay. After researching this, nothing can grow in that. Those beds were supposed to be topsoil. I am happy with the patio, walkway, and pergola. But customer service is lacking. After paying 26,000, I do not feel it is too much to ask to have these trees replaced. And now that I realize the soil is bad, I want that taken care of too. I plan on filing a complaint with the BBB. Last call that I made to Grunden, the mailbox was full.

Donnie, the landscape architect was very prompt and on top of his design plans. Once we accepted them, it took weeks before any work was started. There were comments about weather and the nurseries that Grunden uses to get plants. We accepted this and waited. Once the job started, it went very quickly. There was a crew of 7 men who excavated and planted and the job, except to a border planting of 5 shrubs, was done in 3 days. We were quite impressed. One of the guarantees of such an installation is the replacement within the year of plants, shrubs, and the life if they die. We had several that died within a month and because the other shrubs had not been planted or paid for, the company was responsive. However, once that happened, about a month later, the responsiveness has shut down. We have been told on numerous occasions that they would be over to replace some of the perennials, but that has yet to happen - 4 mos later. Emails are not answered and phone calls not returned. To sum it up, great design, innovation and initial work. Once they have been paid, no response. You be the judge.

Rob was on time, his crew is very professional and they do excellent work. I'm very proud of the patio. We have had dozens of people comment on how natural it looks. I also just found out Rob has pictures in a hardscape catalog from Techo-Bloc. We will be using Rob again on future products. Thanks again Rob!