My initial consultation was very good. Franco was very professional and knew his stuff. He showed up on time, which is always a plus. When I asked what is the next step was I was told there was an initial deposit of $1000 to draw up the landscaping plan, and refundable if I went with them for the job. This is where they lost me, since most landscape companies do not charge for an initial design. My vision was quite unique, and I was not sure we were on the same page. I didn't want to spend the money just to find out. I am not giving them a horrible rating just because it is there business model to charge for a plan. I just think future clients should know what to expect. It would also be unfair to give them any higher rating since I do not have first hand experience with them completing a job for me.
Initial consultation - 5 stars
$ 1000 for a plan - 2.5 stars
Quality of work - No first hand experience
That being said, I believe I will hire a landscape architect, if I need to pay for a plan, then I have the plan in hand, which I know it fulfills my contemporary minimalist vision. That gives me the ability to bid that same apples to apples plan out to several landscaping contractors. I will probably save the architects fee plus some.