Land Effects Outdoor Living Spaces Ltd.

I highly recommend Land Effects, so my review thoroughly details some key experiences I had with them. I believe that contractors with good work ethics and who give good results deserve to get some recognition.

PROMPT REPLY TO INQUIRIES:
I contacted Land Effects through their website’s Contact Form in mid-May 2012 to discuss landscaping ideas for my home and get a quote. I found his company on Home Stars and on the Landscape Ontario website. Keith Evans called me back and we briefly discussed the services that I was interested in. He also gave me a heads up that they primarily worked on larger projects (aka bigger budgets).

WORK REQUIRED:
My list of “landscaping- work-to-be-done” had accumulated over the years. I wanted to replace the front steps (which were falling apart), the railing, and cracked concrete driveway. As well, I wanted to plant a front and rear yard garden (to replace the forest of weeds), trim back existing trees, improve the grading in the front and back (because of water issues we were having), replace all the existing “red-and-white checkerboard” patio stones, and allocate space for my kids to play in and a space for a future storage shed.

INITIAL MEETING:
At our first meeting, Keith came out to see the property and discuss design ideas. He gave me some great ideas for features that I hadn’t considered before. He gave me a high level, ball park figure for what he thought the project could cost, based on what I said I wanted or liked. I understood that a more accurate cost estimate could only be obtained, if I could pinpoint what I really wanted done, so the labour and materials could be priced out.

DESIGN SERVICE:
Measurements were taken of the property. I told them what I liked and showed them sample photos I found on the internet and in catalogues, so they could get a sense of my personal taste and my husband’s (which sort of differed from mine). Then approximately 4 weeks later I met with the assigned landscape designer to review a draft landscape proposal plan. The plan consisted of poster-sized drawings of my property layout with info for the hardscaping (driveway, pathways, steps, patio), grading and dimensions, and proposed plants for my front and rear yards.

I gave them feedback by e-mail, after further review with my husband, and then the designer made some revisions for me. Though we had a landscape plan, it was not rigid and unchangeable. We made changes here and there throughout the project, with Keith’s guidance. He and his staff respected our design wishes and tried to seamlessly integrate them into the original plan.

DETAILED, ITEMIZED QUOTE FOR EASY BUDGET PLANNING AND TRACKING BY CUSTOMERS:
An important part of the whole process was the review of the initial quote. Keith provided me with a spreadsheet that itemized, in detail, the work and calculated costs. We were able to go through all the items and adjust them, based on our budget and priorities. For example, we eliminated some design features, reduced the size of certain stone areas and substituted the materials to upgrade or downgrade (e.g. natural stone vs. manmade). Keith patiently assisted us in balancing our budget with our wish list of features. The changes were documented and we received a revised quote to sign off on, which also outlined the payment schedule. In the end, we spent more than the quoted cost but that was because of the informed decisions we made about the final design. There were no costs that were a huge surprise to us. We were given a final statement at the end which accurately showed us our payment history and balance owing.

THE WORKERS:
Each day, the workers arrived approx. 8:30 am and left by 5 pm, after cleaning up the site. Equipment, tools and materials were always placed aside, so we could get in and out of our home and driveway. Some days, they would leave a little bit earlier because of the brutal summer heat. My retired neighbour commented to me that he thought the guys were very hard-working, as he saw them outside every day--even in the rain. We saw lots of progress each day.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS:
Keith knocked on the doors of our neighbours to introduce Land Effects, and brief them on the work that will be done and the potential impact to them. At the end of the project, Land Effects laid down new sod for the neighbours, where it was dug up near the property line. They even helped improve the look of my neighbour’s patio stones by replacing a few of their pieces with leftovers from our demolition, since it required very little effort but would improve the relationship with the neighbour during the project.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN LEVELING AND RE-GRADING THE PROPERTY:
Prior to the start of the project, I thought that we possibly had a leak or crack somewhere in our walls or foundation because we would find a small pool of water in our basement after every major rainfall. However, Keith advised to let them take a look and try to address it with the grading before we contact someone else. We had a number of major thunderstorms in the Toronto area over the summer and in recent weeks. We have not had any flooding or pooling of water inside or outside our house, since the re-grading was done. We have noticed that the surface water disappears quickly after it rains now.
I must say that I am extremely impressed with the staff’s ability in completing the masonry and grading. My front door faces the west, and the property slopes down from north to south and from east to west. The different grading was not noticeable before, as we had nothing but a lumpy, hilly lawn, uneven patio and sunken driveway in front. However, we had them lay down paving stones in a large area in the front. They were able to successfully get the new stone walkways, raised planters, stairs and driveway to all meet up at various grades, so that they did not look crooked or awkward.

GREAT COMMUNICATION AND INTEGRITY:
There were a few occasions where issues or errors arose during the project. I believe that a large part of the project success we had with Land Effects was the constant communication, and being fair and reasonable in our dealings with one another. Keith was the Project Manager. We communicated back-and-forth throughout the entire project in person, by phone, e-mail and text messages. He always responded promptly and had his workers address any issues immediately. He always ensured that I was comfortable and satisfied with the work being done and the materials selected.
One item in the quote ended up costing a bit more but it was because someone didn’t correctly measure out an area. They absorbed that cost, since it was their own issue that caused the oversight. They never approached us to pay for the extra labour and materials needed to do the job.
When the workers moved our existing portable BBQ to our new rear patio, a plastic wheel broke. Keith went out and bought a new replacement and installed it for us.

A new storage shed was built for us. I was particular about the hardware I wanted and tried to source it out myself. It took some time for me to get it. Even though everything else was completed and Land Effects was paid in full, Keith followed up with me weeks later to see if I had found the hardware. He actually came back and helped me install it.

Because Keith seems to sincerely value his company’s and his own personal reputation, I think he would do whatever is right to ensure that customers are satisfied and that the work his company puts out meets his own high standard. He has committed to providing warranties to prove that.

SUMMARY:
The project resulted in the entire property re-graded with new drainage areas, a new driveway, walkway and patio areas laid with paving stones, natural flagstone borders and stairs, planters and retaining walls, some new fencing, new garden gates and a large pergola. Plants were selected and planted for us. Land Effects also constructed a wooden storage shed with sliding barn doors and aluminum roof. Our family and relatives were impressed with the dramatic new look of our home -- even though our new grass hadn’t fully grown yet and the flowers were pretty much gone by the time the plants went in. I cannot wait to see what the place will look like when everything is in bloom next year!

Overall, I found Land Effects staff to be honest, skilled and courteous professionals and their results were of a high quality. We did not have any negative experiences working with them during the whole project. I would definitely recommend them if you are the type of person who wants a structured landscaping project with organized details, items in writing and the opportunity to collaborate with a customer-focused team to create an outdoor space that you can enjoy.