Backyard Creations LLC

Backyard Creations (BC) is a very professional and creative company for yard design and landscaping. Rich, the company head, takes a personal interest in clients’ needs, thoughtfully listening to the desires of those with whom he works. Mary, his coordinator, is reliable, providing timely communication and follow-up. Our yard needed help, following the deep freeze that Texas went through a couple of winters back. Rich provided ideas and options that went far beyond our expectations. The resultant plan exceeded our expectations. BC began by removing all major plants and shrubs in our front and back yard so that we could have a fresh start — they started and completed their work on schedule. The end results have brought acclaim from not only us, but of our neighbors all around us! If you want to work with a company that has integrity and the customer’s interest at heart, contact Backyard Creations; if they’re booked up with commitments, it’s worth the wait for the pleasurable results that they can bring, making the customer proud and satisfied.

They used pavers to do our front yard landscaping. They were very good. The pricing was good. They were recommended by a friend to me. They gave us great advice, they listen to us and do what we want.

After communicating with Rich Collings by phone, I could never get an estimated date as to when drawings would be provided even though I have paid my deposit on March 30th. In mid-July I argued with him over the phone as to the deadline, with him saying ?summer? when in fact he said July. I was surprised by the owner?s lack of communication, follow-up, shear denial and unapologetic handling of it all. I finally asked for my money back, which I did receive two days later in the mail. Here is the final email I sent: Sent July 14, 2015 ?Rich: To confirm our conversation 14 July (Tuesday), we want a $725 refund. You indicated you would mail me the check, so please make sure it's in the mail today considering you've held on to it for four months. I expect the check in hand this week. You're vagueness in communication does not mean you can leave things open ended with your potential clients, especially when you have money on hand. I do not want to argue about what you think you said or what was communicated to us, but the bottom line is leaving things open ended between summer, fall, July, September, October is absolutely unreasonable. You don't appear to take any accountability for your part.? I do not recommend this company.

I have been using them since 2012. I use them for all of my landscaping needs. I have them come out every 6 months to maintain the landscaping. The horticulturalist is very knowledgeable and has great communications skills. They are very efficient as far as getting the job done quickly. There is little disruption around the yard while they are working. I have never had a problem contacting them or scheduling a service. I can text them whenever I need them out.

Detail request description provided. No response at all.

I called to request an appointment for an estimate to basically remodel the front and backyard; i.e., rock retaining wall, fill dirt, sod, sprinkler system, fence, and rock planters. We were asked for $75 for someone to show up and do the estimate, which is completely within their right; but it was the reason we did not use their service. We have not found another competitor that requests this fee.

I decided not to go with this company because I had a recommendation on another company and they were also cheaper.

After completing a whole-house remodeling project in late June 2013, I contacted Rich Collings at Backyard Creations to submit a comprehensive landscape design. Rich arrived the next day and we discussed the landscaping project as we surveyed the whole property. I was impressed by Rich's attentive listening to my questions, detailed knowledge of the design process, and his thoughtful suggestions about what combination of plants and other landscaping features would work best in specific areas of the property. Within about ten days, Rich submitted a complete, detailed proposal and design which included installing a new St. Augustine lawn in the front and back yards by mid-July and a fall installation for the flower beds, plants, trees, and other landscaping features. After making a few minor design changes, I accepted the proposal and work on the soil preparation and lawn installation began few days later. Rich always called a few days ahead to confirm the work schedule, and he and his crew were consistently on time. Upon arrival he explained the tasks that were to be accomplished for that day and was available to answer questions at any time. At the end of each day, his crew completely cleaned up the working areas and left the property looking great. After finishing each phase of the project (e.g., lawn installation, landscape installation) Rich provided detailed landscape maintenance instructions and recommendations and encouraged me to contact him with any questions or concerns I might have. The entire project was completed in a timely, professional manner, on budget, and with expert workmanship and high quality plants and materials. I am delighted with the project results and intend to use Backyard Creations for any future landscaping needs.

I love Backyard Creations. I love Reg. He's wonderful, very educated on soil and what will work and what won't. He has done my house ever since I've been here and I continue yard of the month because my yard is beautiful. I have spiral hedges in my front yard and he trim those impeccably. I have people ring at my doorbell and ask "where did you get these flowers, I've never seen it?" I'm like "uh, I think this is called.."

The small backyard of our house we bought just contained a concrete slab and gras, and a wooden fence that had come to the end of its lifetime. Did a research on Angie's List, and send an email requiring information about backyard alteration for a small space and making it a way that the Texas heat makes it easy to maintain. The only company that actually responded was Backyard Creations. The first meeting went well, and actually our schedule was accomodated as we only had time on the weekends. Rich did an excellent job in getting to know who we are in order to get a design that fits us. And yes, the design plan just hit the spot and was perfect regarding design, plant selection and stone selection (natural stone). Now there was the issue that the HOA had to approve all, and this took time. Until then we didn't have to put a deposit down since we didn't know how the HOA will decide. The HOA took forever and I am very happy that Rich did hang in there with us, patiently waiting until we did get the ok, and still giving us all discounts we had previously agreed on even if the timeframe for that was exceeded. Once we had the approval, everything went very quick and within 2 weeks we now have our dream backyard. The fence and stonework contractors were doing an awesome job, very good craftsmanship, cleaning up after their work, so it wasn't even noticable outside on the common lawn. Long story short, Backyard Creations was the right choice for us. Rich and Backyard Creations are professional, curtious and the contractors do excellent work. I appreciated that Rich kept us uptodate with his schedules, and was always available to discuss questions. As well after every job, he called to make sure everything was done ok and we were content with the work. Yes, we were in good hands.

They wouldn't provide a quote unless I agree to pay for the service. Their ballpark figure was twice as much as the other 2 companies I got a quote from. So I ended up paying $110 for him to come talk to us for an hour and not give us any information. He probably can demand high prices because he has such good reputation but I felt the price was misleading. He told us $70 just for the consultation then when he came to our house, he said it was $70 for the first 30 minutes and then $70 for the next hour. I'm sure he's a great contractor.

Very well. I called them at a very busy time so there was about a month of wait time between accepting their bid and the work getting started. Upon completion, the site was clean and the border looked great.

Okay. he helped modify my sprinkler system which has helped yard somewhat. He is rahter expensive

We did not use the services of this company

THE PROJECT WENT VERY WELL AND THE CREWS WERE THERE WHEN WHEN THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE THERE. RAIN AND WEATHER PREVENTED IT FROM BEING DONE ON TIME, BUT WAS UNAVOIDABLE. OVERALL, THE CREWS WERE THERE WHEN PROMISED AND ALL THE SUB-CONTRACTORS DID VERY GOOD WORK, ESPECIALLY MASONARY.

They took pictures and marked on the pictures where they would make changes, which were very little. There were not many changes and I would definitely not call it a design. We were very disappointed in the results and the lack of concern he showed to our project.

I ended up not going with him because I felt that his prices were a little high so I ended up doing to work myself. I felt like there was some miscommunication on the work we wanted to have done.

Every job that Backyard Creations have done for me has been spectacular and professionally managed throughout the project.

Great. Called two days prior to work being done, on time, kept me posted via phone and email as work progressed.. Everything cleaned up at end of job. Sent very detailed instructions on how to care for new plants and grass

There is not too much I can say here, except that it all went extremely well. Rich is has extremely high standards for himself, his crew and for his creative landscaping and lighting designs. He can see beauty when looking at a weed ridden yard. Rich is flexible, always notifies us when he is coming, takes care of every detail, is pleasant, friendly, and treats us as if we were family. Our outside is absolutely beautiful because of Rich and his crew.

I am thrilled with the completed work of Backyard Creations! After consulting with owner Rich Collins, he drew up a landscape design for my approval. I had requested an easy to care for landscape and that is what the design provided. After approval, Rich scheduled his stone mason to begin work on the retaining wall. The wall is beautiful and the quality is excellent. The next stage of the project was the construction of the arbor over my patio. Once the wooden structure of the arbor was completed, the stone masons returned and built stone boots around the 4 posts. These boots add the wow-factor to the arbor! Fill dirt and topsoil was brought it to level the yard up to the top of retaining wall and then a 4' wrought iron fence was installed on top of the stone wall. The final phase involved the plantings and construction of stone walkways. The plants include knockout roses, kaleidoscope abelia, dwarf yaupon, Indian hawthorn, cleyera, crape myrtles, and drawf pink muhly grass. Care was taken to level the stepping stones and a concrete fountain. Rich is very knowledgeable and works with customerst o fulfill their vision of the project. All of his workers are friendly and respectful and would answer any questions. At the end of each day, they cleaned the area so the space was never an eyesore. The finished yard is beautiful and will mature into a show place. So many of my neighbors have stopped by to compliment the yard and it makes me so proud. I enthusiastically recommend Rich and his company.

This company did everything and more than I was looking. Rich, the owner, has by far been one of the best contractors I have had the pleasure of working with. His communication and professionalism are excellent. For example, he always returned my calls same day. One of the things I liked the most is that all the workers were professional, punctual and very detail oriented. They also maintained a clean worksite. I could not be happier with the finished project. It turned out even better than I expected. I highly recommend this company to others and will use them again in the future.

We contacted Backyard Creations, and they performed the necessary work.

See above. Whole experience was fantastic. Mark responded quickly to all my questions and concerns; his crew showed up on time and did a beautiful job. I also appreciated the extra time he took in finding certain plants and trees that I really loved. For example, he found me an absolutely beautiful Coral bark Japanese maple and planted a three-limbed river birch because I told him my "number" is 3. It was absolutely the kind of personalized attention I was looking for, and his choices were much more interesting and creative than other landscapers, who recommended the usual mondo grass and nandina builder-grade plants that I do not like. In fact, I am going to use him for my final phase of landscaping this fall--as soon as the heat breaks--to tie the front in with the back. We will rip out all of the old builder-grade plants and replace them with a river birch tree, boulders, a flagstone walkway to the backyard, yuccas, drift roses and some native grasses. I can't wait! The other thing I loved about Creative Boundaries is that they will work within your budget. For the first phase with the patio, my budget was $5,000. They were able to come in at that number and give me more than I had hoped for for my money. Highly recommend them to all of my friends.

Working with Backyard Creations has been a good experience each time. They are professional, friendly, and punctual. They arrived promptly to provide estimates and design ideas. They provided quotes in writing, in advance. The services were exactly as quoted. They leave everything neat and tidy. A very good experience and I will use them again.