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July 10, 2008
Impossible to Find Landscape Contractor
We have been trying to get bids to do a medium size landscape project in our 20 X 40 yard. Basically, removing topsoil, laying pavers or decking, edging and maybe a drywell.
Problem is, we cant even get anyone to return our calls much less come out and provide a bid. I have tried at leat 10 local contactors over the last 6 months and only 1 has even come over to look at the space. That person said they would provide a bid and never did. What is going on in the landscape world? Is there such a glut of jobs out there that no one is even remotely available. I am considering starting my own landscape company since there is apparently a severe shortage and wide-open market.
Seriously though, can anyone offer any suggestions or help?
Thanks!
Comments
Same here - we need to fix up a fence and have tried everywhere, DIG on Atlantic, Chelsea Nursery and others and none are the remotest bit interested - times must be good in the garden/landscape business!
Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 11:55 AM
Chuck at Dig blew us off too. When he saw what we wanted to do, he commented that it was too "Plain" for him and he was really looking to do a whole landscape design and transformation. Translation - "I only want $30K+ jobs to enhance my protfolio and fully utilize my creative energy"
Bummer.
Posted by: newsouthsloper at July 10, 2008 12:02 PM
Certainly sounds odd, especially considering the recent "slowdown" seems to have led to folks hustling even more for work in these areas.
If your not able to fund someone you like (or even to respond to the outreach), and think about doing it yourself, I'd suggest thinking about the service we provide (www.constructioncoachesny.com) - we actually do have a landscaper in our roster of coaches.
Basically we get a professional to talk and walk you through the project - ideas, materials, tools needed, etc. - though you and your friends, family, etc. would actually do the work...just something to think about as an option.
Best of luck either way.
Posted by: ConstructionCoach at July 10, 2008 12:16 PM
I have just the guy for you: Edgardo (Eddie) Cintron. His mobile is 917-312-9530. He is fast, dependable, gentlemanly and reasonably priced. He and his crew built a couple of retaining walls for me, installed a fence, etc. I've recommended him to other people and I believe they've all been pleased too.
Posted by: StuyMom at July 10, 2008 12:16 PM
I've been telling a retired-on-disability (latex allergy) MD friend of mine for years to go back to school and get her landscaping degree. She's great with plants and yard design and everybody complains about the lack of talented landscaping contractors in Brooklyn.
Posted by: Steve at July 10, 2008 1:32 PM
Since there are no plantings or actual landscaping in your reqs a competent GC could handle this job.
Jim Lally's a GC and a mason, not a landscaping contractor, but he did a great job with the excavation/pavers in my back yard. You can see the photo diary here:
http://www.brooklynrowhouse.com/house/backyard
Jim is in the second to last photo on the upper left. Phone number's there too.
Posted by: Steve at July 10, 2008 1:42 PM
I own a brownstone in PS, and we had a great experience with Maria from Prospect and Refuge. Their website is http://prospectandrefuge.com - cell is (347) 342-7662. On the business side, Maria is very responsive, responsible, and honest. And on the landscape side, very knowledgeable and creative.
Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 3:06 PM
Call Donald Bell in Elmont Long Island.
He has a degree in landscaping from cornel university.
I thing it is called Bell Landscaping or Bell something.
Posted by: Ysabelle at July 10, 2008 3:29 PM
Hi, I'm a landscaper in Brooklyn and I can come take a look. Check out the garden that was featured a few weeks ago.
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/06/garden_of_the_d_11.php#comments
Posted by: jeffsecor at July 10, 2008 4:18 PM
My company does hardscape (pavers, stone, etc) and could help with light landscaping. We're located in Park Slope and would be happy to come and estimate.
Transcend Construction and Masonry 718-369-0996
Posted by: transcend at July 10, 2008 10:23 PM
I sent an email to GroundworksGardens.com last month after seeing them featured on the HGTV.com site. They are the only landscapers I saw on there from Brooklyn. They won a few Design Star challenges for doing brownstone backyards. Both the owners responded immediately to my email and wanted to come out and see the space. I told them I would contact them again when I moved in because I hadn't yet closed on the house back then. Now that I am in I have found so much work to do on the interior that my yard will have to wait.
Their website is worth a look! When I'm ready I am going to call them in for an estimate.
Posted by: premadas at July 13, 2008 9:29 PM
To the orginal July 10th Poster with the backyard, if you still need help, Holly, Wood and Vine (www.hwandv.com), may be able to help. You don't say if you need any plantings? We are based in Manhattan, though, not that that's a problem (I hope!).
Very small companies probably can't handle the labor/construction part of the job easily - possibly that is why some have not responded. Did you give them a budget to work within, or do you need an idea of what it will all run to?
Despite the slowdown economically our firm has been about three times as busy as we were last year. Can't explain it. Puzzling but good.
Give us a call if you'd just like some info, too.
Posted by: Marie Viljoen at July 29, 2008 3:45 PM
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