Landscape Concepts of Fairfax

We were looking to have sod put in our entire backyard, along with underground drainage and a sprinkler system. Additionally, we wanted our front walkway redone. We researched several companies and ended up going with Landscape Concepts of Fairfax. My wife had worked with Dale previously and so we felt we could trust him. Dale came out to assess our situation and provided us with an estimate that was in the ballpark of what we were looking to spend. We made a few adjustments and then signed the contract. The work actually went very well and we were very happy with the work when it was complete. Our backyard looked great and our front walkway was very nice. The sod was installed in July and by September there were many areas in the backyard where the sod had died and the netting was exposed. We began reaching out to Dale asking when this would be addressed, as it is under warranty for 2 years according to what we signed. This is where things started going downhill. The responsiveness was not very good. When he did respond he would say that he was going to address. That started in September. Long story short, it was not until April 2019 that SOME of the sod was finally replaced. But Dale chose where to put sod and where to seed. I am writing this in June and the new sod still looks good, but where the seed was planted, the yard still looks like crap. And last night (June 4th) I received an email from Dale saying that while their product is under warranty, the reason our sod died was because of all the rain we had last year and that he has already provided us with a full pallet of sod at no cost. He is now willing to split the cost of any additional sod I would like. Wow, what a nice guy! We spend over $20K with this guy, of which about 1/3 was for sod, and we end up with parts of our yard looking worse now than they did before the project. I don't know how that is considered good customer service, but I will recommend Landscape Concepts of Fairfax to NOBODY! Do not use this company! I can't emphasize that enough...DON'T USE THIS COMPANY! They will take your money and leave you with something that is worse than when they started. I am still holding out a little bit of hope that Dale will make things right, but unfortunately he has my money already and so has the upper hand here. It really is ashamed but I guess I learned my lesson.

The job went flawlessly from start to finish. Brad Harris met the next day after i requested an appointment. Afterward, he followed up promptly with plans and a reasonable quote. His team started the work on time the following week and it was completed in a day. 6 months later and the sod still looks amazing. I would highly recommend them for landscaping work!

The front yard is much improved aesthetically, and the retaining walls in particular look great. But the company was very difficult to deal with. When they initially built the walls, they built them taller than the specifications in the contract. When I asked them to make the correction, they required me to sign a change order, even though what I was asking was that the walls be built to their original specifications. When I refused to sign the change order, they stopped all work and threatened to sue me for breach of contract. I eventually signed the change order so that I could get the project completed. It looks great, but it was not worth the hassle. Later, when some of the plants died, I contacted the company to replace them pursuant to my written warranty. They never returned my multiple calls, and I ended up replacing the plants myself.

We inquired through their website (which is a wealth of information in terms of styles and photo galleries) and received a response almost immediately from the owner, Dale, who informed us that a landscape architect would contact us shortly. Sure enough, we received a call from Adam not an hour later--impressive, especially since it was a Saturday. Adam arrived at our home later that week to do the initial brainstorming and measurements and was nothing short of professional. He asked several questions to get to the root of how we wanted to use the space, and then took his time with the measurements afterward. Not four days later, we met again for the "presentation" of the design, which very much felt like something right out of HGTV--full color graphics, 3-D renderings, 2-D overview, etc. He did a beautiful job and was really able to get us to see what work Landscape Concepts was able to do for us. That being said, since he did do a lot of work preparing for our meeting and wasn't charging us for the design, we weren't allowed to keep the drawings as a comparison for other plans, which was a bit of a bummer, but one we understood. In the end, it wasn't about their price (Landscape Concepts was one of the lower bids) or the level of professionalism, but rather the overall design as it meshed with the house and us as homeowners. I would recommend Landscape Concepts to anyone looking to do landscaping work in their yard.

After the landscape architect provided a design and estimate, we wanted to work with them to reduce the cost by either a discount, removing the herb garden or other bushes or replacing with something less expensive. We had no idea where to start since we aren't familiar with the different varieties. We received a call from the owner, Julie Shanahan, who was unbelievably rude and basically implied that we couldn't afford the services. Her intimidation tactic was appaulling so we decided there are too many talented landscape designers willling to work with us instead of bullying us into spending money on something we don't want. At the end of the conversation she said "we don't need your business," and then hung up the phone.

(04/26/2010) I missed the first appt. w/ Dale and called and apologized profusely for my mess up. We rescheduled. I had Dale come to my home to provide a design for my backyard/side. I indicated a ballpark of 10K or so. He reviewed the yard spent sometime giving me his ideas which I liked. I told him we were getting other designs in. He said his design fee was $135 - I gave him 1/2. I did not hear from him in 2 weeks. I left a message stating that we needed something in the next week or 2 or we would go with someone else. I received a message from a woman at his office stating they would get me something early the next week. Perfect. Problem - didn't get anything, no call, no update, nothing. Waited another 2 weeks - then I called him. He said they were overbooked and they refunded my $'s (haven't received it yet, 4/26/10). I asked 1) why did his office say it was coming weeks ago f they had no intention of doing it 2) why didn't I get the courtesy of a call? He said there was miscommunication and he thought I went with another contractor. I said I would be leaving negative feedback on this list. Shortly thereafter I received a voice message from dale stating that in my feedback I had better say I missed the 1st meeting and that if I leave too negative a feedback he will, and I quote "I will come after you, I will come after you". What! Here I am trying to give a co. 10K+ of business, then when I don't get the courtesy of a response I tell them I will leave negative feedback (did they think this would be a "+" experience?) and I get a personal threat! He then calls back and politely and contritely says he will provide a design for free. I told him there are lots of contractors out there who don't treat potential customers like he did and I will leave ACCURATE, FACTUAL feedback. Nobody should be subjected to such a personal attack.

Overall the installation went well, and we are very happy with the finished project. After Dale visited our site, the design plans were drawn and sent to us for approval, along with a detailed estimate. Shortly after our approval of the plan, work began, and the stone columns were built. They were crafted to match the walkway and patio that Landscape Concepts had previously installed; in addition to matching the older installations, the column tops were custom cut, not just flat stones, which adds great character to the columns. Dale was available and responsive to any questions we had during the entire process. It definitely is an enhancement to our property.

Overall the installation went well, and we are very happy with the finished project. After Dale visited our site, the design plans were drawn and sent to us for approval, along with a detailed estimate. Shortly after our approval of the plan, work began, and the stone columns were built. They were crafted to match the walkway and patio that Landscape Concepts had previously installed; in addition to matching the older installations, the column tops were custom cut, not just flat stones, which adds great character to the columns. Dale was available and responsive to any questions we had during the entire process. It definitely is an enhancement to our property.

Exactly what I envisioned. Sat down with Dale to go over what I wanted & why. He came back with initial plan and estimate. Made a few shifts in plants to accomplish what I wanted but emphasized plants yellow & orange where could. River rock in stone hardest to understand until I explained how difficult to keep cleaned out and wanted solid so I could blow out leaves without moving stone. Plants already spreading out rapidly but maintaining compact growth so not overwhelming area. Keeping taller and fuller plants outside fence where also provides more privacy. Work crew did a great job with crew boss keeping everyone moving on schedule. I donated a few plants to a neighbor and crew boss offered to plant those for me. In exchange I gave him some of the plants being pulled that were still in healthy condition. Crew boss & Dale checked property to make sure I was satisfied with the work before they left, returning to place 4 plants they received incorrectly in their order.

Exactly what I envisioned. Sat down with Dale to go over what I wanted & why. He came back with initial plan and estimate. Made a few shifts in plants to accomplish what I wanted but emphasized plants yellow & orange where could. River rock in stone hardest to understand until I explained how difficult to keep cleaned out and wanted solid so I could blow out leaves without moving stone. Plants already spreading out rapidly but maintaining compact growth so not overwhelming area. Keeping taller and fuller plants outside fence where also provides more privacy. Work crew did a great job with crew boss keeping everyone moving on schedule. I donated a few plants to a neighbor and crew boss offered to plant those for me. In exchange I gave him some of the plants being pulled that were still in healthy condition. Crew boss & Dale checked property to make sure I was satisfied with the work before they left, returning to place 4 plants they received incorrectly in their order.