recommendations for a landscape designer (2013, chapel, new house)

[guineamom]

We're thinking of redoing our patio, making it level and bigger. Does anyone have recommendation of a good landscape designer? Looking to do mostly hardscapes (patio, garden walls, steps, etc). I'm open to hiring a designer and installer separately or together.

I went thru "hell" back in 2013 with our kitchen renovation (see my other posts on this site), hopefully this project will be much smoother. Please help. Thanks.

[tgbwc]

Premium Lawn and Landscape | Business and Residential Landscaping in Northern Virginia

We've used this company's commercial and residential services and have been very happy. We had them tear out an old concrete slab and expand our brick patio.

[HokieFan]

We also recently used Premium with some drainage issues in our backyard. We had four estimates done and Premium gave us the best price.

[guineamom]

Thanks for the info. I'll give them a call.

[JfromReston]

Sunrise Landscape & Design Home - Sunrise Landscape & Design

We were very happy with the hard scape and landscaping design and installation by Sunise Landscaping

[guineamom]

Just an update. We did call Premium and Sunrise. Loved both proposals, but price made us go with a masonry company. The price difference is huge. We are at the end stage of our project and my yard is a mess because of the work. Not sure if the mess will be smaller if a landscaping company had done the patio. However, even if I have to pay a few thousand dollars to hire a landscaping company to clean up after the masonry company, the total amount spent would still be lower compared to hiring a landscaping company to do the patio.

[NC211]

Try the Holloway Company

Holloway Company | We Build Decks, Patios, Porches, Pergolas, Walls

They did a beautiful paver patio for us about two years ago that was quite extensive, had two curved chapel walls with lights, built into a slope and connected up to our basement stairs and deck. Absolutely solid job. They dug out the grass, laid a protective barrier down to insure no grass/weeds would EVER come up through the pavers, poured a lot of gravel and sand down to form the base, and started building it up. It wasn't just some pavers set on the ground. The whole thing was three pavers deep into the ground. Over the two years we lived there, it didn't budge a millimeter. No settlement, no sliding down the hill, nothing. Just solid. I want to say it was around 15 feet by 9 feet, but I can't quite recall. They were FAR more affordable than anything and anyone else we had come out to quote the job, including and especially the concrete guys.

Interestingly enough, Holloway won't deal with concrete, because it will (no question about it) crack over time, meaning the whole thing has to come out and be redone again. They were right too. Our new house has a stamped concrete patio - cracked in numerous places. It'll be coming out next year, and I bet you can guess who'll I'll be calling to replace it....

Give them a buzz before you sign on the dotted line. You might like what you hear (or you might not, but worth the 30 minutes).

Our buyers of that home bought it for that patio. They were amazed at how level it was, and asked how we kept it in such great shape. We did nothing to it. It was done correctly the first time.

[Chris1023]

Originally Posted by guineamom

Just an update. We did call Premium and Sunrise. Loved both proposals, but price made us go with a masonry company. The price difference is huge. We are at the end stage of our project and my yard is a mess because of the work. Not sure if the mess will be smaller if a landscaping company had done the patio. However, even if I have to pay a few thousand dollars to hire a landscaping company to clean up after the masonry company, the total amount spent would still be lower compared to hiring a landscaping company to do the patio.

What were the quotes? Who was the masonry company you used?

[Alec_at_MrAringtondotcom]

Tyler Kreft
(410) 207 7622
Kreft & Son Landscaping

Here is a list and descriptions of services they provide:


GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

1. Turf Mowing/Trimming:

All turf areas will be mowed on an average of every seven (7) days during the season from April 1 through November 31 (28 mowings). Height of turf is to be determined by species and local conditions during the growing season. Mowing height may be adjusted upon request.

During rainy or extended dry periods, frequency may change. in conjunction with each mowing, trimming shall be performed around all buildings, structures, and other obstacles within the turf area. All debris will be removed from the turf areas prior to mowing. Excess grass clippings will be raked or bagged as needed to maintain a neat appearence.

2. Weed Control:

Weed Control Shall be maintained in all flowerbeds, ornamental mulch beds and tree rings on a weekly basis. This may be done manually or through the use of herbicides, which are not harmful to the plant materials located in the shrub or mulch beds. This shall be done in conjunction with the mowing (28) times per season.

3. Edging:

All sidewalks, driveways, and curbs will be edged seven (7) times per season to maintain a neat appearance. Special care and attention will be taken to avoid sidewalk damage.

4. Sidewalk Weeds:

All seams and cracks in sidewalks and curbs will be managed for weeds through chemical or manual control as needed.

5. Pruning:

All ornamental shrubs, bushes, and evergreens will be pruned or sheared three (3) times during the contract period to ensure a professionally maintained appearance.

All ornamental shade trees will be pruned once (1) during the contract period. Tree suckers, shoot growth, and tree limbs impeding walkways and parking areas will be pruned as needed.


MULCHING

1. Initial Mulch:

All previously mulched tree rings and shrubbery beds shall be mulched using premium quality double shredded mulch. A well-defined edging of all beds and tree rings, and complete weed removal from all beds shall take place prior to installation of the mulch. Mulch layer shall not exceed 3-4 inches in depth.

2. Top Dress Mulch:

All areas previously mulched will receive a fresh layer of mulch. Total depth of top dress mulch shall not exceed two (2) inches.

3. Ornamental Mulch Bed Edging:

All mulch beds, shrub beds, flower beds, and tree rings shall have a sharp, well-defined edge in at least four (4) inches in depth. Spoil from the edge definition will not be left in the bed areas. Bed edges shall be true to their form in that they are strait or curved without jagged edges. This will be performed three (3) times per season.


TURF CARE PROGRAM

1. Early Spring:

Application of a pre-emergent herbicide for control of grassy weeds and a broadleaf weed control for grassy weeds. It is applied at 1.5 pounds of actual Nitrogen per 1000 square feet plus pre-emergent herbicide, and broadleaf herbicide.

2. Mid-Spring:

Second application of a pre-emergent herbicide for control of grassy weeds and a broadleaf weed control. An iron supplement with micronutrients will also be added to improve summer hardiness. It is applied at 1.0 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet plus pre-emergent herbicide and broadleaf herbicide.

3. Early Fall:

Application of a time released balanced fertilizer and a broadleaf herbicide spot treatment as needed. It is applied at 3/4 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet and a broadleaf herbicide.

4. Late Fall:

Application of a quick release nitrogen fertilizer to promote a strong root system throughout the winter and ensure early spring green up.

TREE AND SHRUB PROGRAM

1. Late Winter/ Early Spring:

Application of dormant oil for control of scale, insects, and mites.

2. Spring:

Fertilization of all ornamental shrubs with a slow release organic fertilizer performed in conjunction with the mulching.

3. Late Spring through Early Fall:

Regular inspections of ornamental trees and shrubs for evidence of insect infestation will occur throughout the season and treated as needed.


LEAF REMOVAL AND PROPERTY CLEAN-UP

1. Leaf Removal:

All leaves will be removed from the turf areas twice (2) per contract period and once (1) from all ornamental and mulch bed areas.

2. Spring Clean-Up:

All leaves and miscellaneous debris will be collected and removed from the entire property as part of the spring clean-up.


TURF ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

1. Aeration:

All accessible lawn areas shall be thoroughly core-aerated. Making passes over each area in three (3) separate directions will perform the aeration. This shall be performed twice (2) per season.

2. Over-Seeding:

Over-seeding of thin and bare areas shall be completed in early spring or during the month or September or October with an improved turf variety.

3. Late Summer/ Early Fall:

Granular insecticide application for chemical control of general grub populations.

4. Late Summer/ Early Fall:

Milky spore application for biological (non-chemical) control of Japanese beetle grubs.


SEASONAL COLOR

THE TYPE AND COLOR OF FLOWERS WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH MANAGEMENT BEFORE INSTALLATION BEGINS.

1. Spring Flowers:

All existing flowerbeds will be prepared and spring flowers will be installed in early April (weather conditions permitting.) Flowers will be installed on 6-inch centers.

2. Annual Flowers:

All existing flowerbeds will be prepared and annual flowers will be installed in May. Flowers will be installed on 6-inch centers.

3. Fall Flowers:

All flowerbeds as directed by management will be prepared for the installation of fall flowers. Flowers will be installed on 18-inch centers.

4. Bed Preparation:

All existing flower beds will be prepared by removing two (2) inches of soil and installing two (2) inches of peat moss over the soil and working it into a depth of six (6) inches.

5. New Flower Beds:

If the quantity of plants or creation of new flowerbeds should be required, it shall be done on a time and materials with a authorized purchase order from management.

6. Flowerbed Care:

All flowerbeds will be weeded and dead blossoms removed weekly. In addition to weeding and deadheading, all annual flowers shall be fertilized weekly.

7. Late Fall:

Application of a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer to promote a strong root system throughout the winter and ensure an early spring green-up. A broadleaf herbicide may be incorporated into this fertilization.


ADITIONAL SERVICES

Installation and Construction
• Project management
• Contract documentation
• Construction documents
• Management of subcontractors
• Plant and turf installation
• Carpentry
• Masonry
• Hardscape installation of walkways, terraces, pools, fencing, lighting, driveways

Enhancements/Special Projects
• Landscape rejuvenation
• New landscape design/installation
• Entranceway plantings
• Complete site rehab
• Phased-in landscape projects
• Seasonal plantings
• Seasonal decorations
• Erosion control
• Drainage solutions
• Planting in-fill
• Screen and sound barrier plantings
• Garden construction—walls, fences, steps, terraces, arbors

[Old Guard]

Originally Posted by Chris1023

What were the quotes? Who was the masonry company you used?

I am also interested in this. I have a concrete slab patio with pooling and cracking and need to look to have it repaired or replaced. I also have a minor drainage issue and need some regrading in my yard.

I contacted one highly recommended drainage company and their solution did not seem extensive enough for me. Redoing the entire patio seems like it would be expensive.