WALTERS LANDSCAPE BY DESIGN

The project started out relatively well. Demolition of the existing garden retaining structure went well although several of the existing re-bar anchors were not properly removed. They chose instead to leave them in the ground and try covering them up. For obvious safety reasons, we removed the re-bar after they had left for the day. This was the first of many red flags. Then the project really started to go sour! Martin (the owner) stated in the initial interview that he and another crew member would work this project from start to finish. We were lucky to have one person working most days for maybe 4-6 hours on average. We were told they would protect existing landscaping from damage by equipment and or crew. This started out fine, but after a day or two, we had to constantly request them to honor this commitment. Martin assured us that proper grading of the existing landscape would be performed to our satisfaction. It was not satisfactory and even getting something reasonably satisfactory had to be requested and then redone by us during and after this project. When the development of the new retaining wall got started, it became a constant battle with Martin and crew to get the wall structure we desired done to our liking. At one point, we had to demand that the crew make one section of the structure as we desired and not as they were instructed by Martin. The crew told me Martin instructed them not to install this portion of the wall the way we wanted. Either type of construction would not have jeopardized the integrity of the structure. We feel Martin was attempting to reduce the cost of materials to increase his profit margin. They also did not follow the suggested methods advised by the manufacture to split and install the concrete blocks, the retaining wall drainage materials and foundation layer materials properly. Several sections subsequently came out looking much less than desirable. As they were constructing a portion of the foundation layer, it was pointed out several times to the crew and Martin that they were not installing it level. Never the less, Martin instructed them to continue until it got to the point that it was necessary to request they redo this portion properly. During the end wall construction they tried to cover-up an obvious structural integrity issue. It was uncovered and they were informed this sort of unprofessional behavior would not be accepted and needed to be corrected. Another part of the project was the application of garden mulch. They brought in a truck load but left 2-3 yards remaining in the truck. When Martin was asked why the remaining mulch was not left with us to use as we wished, he stated he wanted it for himself. He did not offer any refund for this amount of unused mulch which we paid for. Martin stated in the estimating phase that he would not charge us any additional costs unless we chose to make major changes to the proposed design. When it became apparent to all but Martin that the construction of the wall ends would not work out according to the plan Martin proposed because of sloping issues, we suggested a minor alternative. This change did not require any significant material costs or additional time. Martin even stated he thought it was a good suggestion. When the project was near completion, Martin demanded that we needed to pay an additional $900+ over the agreed upon estimate. He stated we owed this additional amount to cover the costs associated with the additional time he and his crew spent redoing the botched foundation and end wall work as well as unsubstantiated additional material costs. Martin stated an exaggerated time spent for his part in this redo that was absolutely inaccurate. We know this to be true, because one of us was there every day during this project and did not witness Martin putting in even an hour of his own time in this redo effort. All of these additional charges were a direct result of either the plan Martin proposed not being doable or the poorly performed initial foundation work. We will give him credit for doing a decent job on the patio extension, rock and blind fencing work. In the end, we were very happy to see them leave. PS - Martin contacted us approximately a year after this disappointing experience to let us know that several plants he installed were dead. He offered to replace them because he warrants the plants. Although still bitter about our experience, we cautiously started discussions with him to remedy this situation. Martin made initial plant substitute suggestions that were not to our liking so we requested more. Although he did suggest alternatives, his rude response to our dislike of the initial plant suggestions was insulting and unprofessional. We will not be wasting any more of our time with Walters Landscape, by Design or referring them to others.

Martin Walters built a retaining wall incorrectly that collapsed after 6 months, he refuses to return money or redo it. His website clearly states that he guarantees his work and products for one full year. This project was a 30,000 dollar that turned into a nightmare upon the first hard rain that received. This retaining was not installed correctly, was missing drainage, and anchoring systems, the wall completely washed out and he is unwilling to fix any of this. He is a sly one.