I went to the home show and one of the contractors recommended Marty to a design for a yard remodel. Marty came to my house, took pictures and measurements and I paid $234. The drawing I eventually got was very disappointing. Marty had sketched my yard, put a few mounds and rocks and recommended some plants. A contractor had sketched the same thing for free in 5 minutes. I showed it to 2 contractors who told me it was unusable and of little value. For example, i was going to remove some grass and divide the existing grass and new desert. Marty drew a dead straight line. He put no curve or design into the border. I have no training and don't visualize well but I could have done better. When he sent the draft to me he told me to let him know what I wanted and he would modify it up to 5 times. Say what? He wanted me to design it and he would draw it? He had no ideas to offer other than plant recommendations. There is a hidden review on Yelp that says he thought Marty bought a landscape design program to churn out drawings. I concur with that assessment and review.
I subsequently hired a contractor who did a full design with photo imaging so I could see what it would look like down to the color of the rock. That cost $250 i.e the same. I showed it to Marty and he made no comment. The new design removed unsightly dying orange trees; unsuitable plants; added a feature wall etc. Marty recommended none of that. He offered no ideas
When I contacted Marty (after 2 months as I was checking out other options to see if maybe I was mistaken and having 2 contractors evaluate it) he was very defensive. Told me he taught ASU students. Well that simply reinforces my opinion of the poor education offered at ASU. He is going to comment that it was a good design; that I did not contact him etc. The proof is in the new design I got. There is no comparison. I am happy to show people the good and the bad so you can see for yourself.
This is now his 3rd bad review on Yelp with no good ones. You make your own decisions but my recommendation is to find someone else.