Stone Creek Landscape & Construction

It was awful from beginning to end. I could write a novel about what went wrong but I'll only highlight the truly egregious errors that were made. They removed sod to put bark in but didn't put down a weed barrier so all the grass just grew up through the bark. Then tried to tell me that i requested this. Which was a lie. They messed up my drip lines and sprinkler systems. They did actually send someone out after they were done with the job to correct some of their mistakes. They removed a 10 yr old tree after I specifically told them which trees to remove. They replaced it with an extremely tall stick, which hasn't grown at all in over a year. Their placement of bushes was ridiculous. I had to point out multiple times what the landscaping plan called for, because they weren't even looking at it. The bender board they used to outline the DG area was coming apart within months. Again, the whole experience was a nightmare and I wouldn't recommend them for even the smallest of jobs.

Horrible experience, would never use them again!!!! They lie!

We had used Stone Creek before in building a patio in the back.  Their bid on this project was not the least expensive but it had everything we wanted.  We met with Brandie, the landscape consultant and went over the plans that we had made.  we were impressed with Brandie's knowledge and her willingness to accommodate us.  Her suggestions were usually well-thought-out and were not pushed on us.  She was prompt in getting a bid back to us.
Robert Circle (the owner) started work less than a week later.  The crew they used worked hard and were extremely courteous.  When there were little problems with the excavation work, they didn't hesitate to call Robert, who made himself quickly available.  the only downside in our experience was that after they began the work, our region was hit with a week of above 100 degree temperatures.  We agreed that they would wait until the temperature cooled a bit.  We apparently got mixed up on when they would re-start.  But, a quick call to Brandie at the office got things going again.
Along with the site prep, the poured a concrete driveway and two walkways.  They dug new irrigation lines and covered the area with a weed-resistant fabric.  They brought in fertilized topsoil for a small grassy areas and bark for the rest.  We were especially pleased with the work of one of the supervisors - James.  James spent extra time making sure the irrigation system was running at peak efficiency - coming back several times from other jobs.  He walked us through how to program and run our new system.
We were very pleased with the work of Stone Creek Landscape and Construction and look forward to using them again when we have another project!

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Brandi was the Sales Associate that responded to the inquiry for backyard landscaping on homeadvisor.com. She needed constant prompting to have the landscape designer come out to do measurements. From the time the designer came to look at the backyard to the appointment to review her plans was 3 weeks. At that appointment we made significant changes to their original plan due to price constraints (they wanted approximately $14000 for landscaping a less than 1000 sq. ft backyard including using existing concrete and irrigation). All of the pricing was spelled out, but some of the calculations for things like plants seemed very arbitrary and expensive ($175 for a flat of thyme for ground cover is ridiculous). Regardless, we paid $500 for the plans and put down an earnest deposit and they assured us at that time that they could begin the landscape work within 2 weeks. We needed to make sure that the date they began was relatively assured as we needed time to completely clear the backyard in preparation for the work to begin.
2 weeks goes by and we hear nothing. Then 3 weeks. After constant calls, Brandi finally gets back in contact with us and assures us that the foreman would come by on the first day of construction the next Monday. We both take the day off from work in order to ensure that the plans were revised per our meeting almost a month prior and that we are all on the same page since getting any communication from Brandi at that point was almost impossible. The date of construction comes and goes with no one showing up and no communication from anyone at Stone Creek until 3 pm that day to tell us that now the date to begin was Thursday. We both wasted a day off and at that point we were so upset at the lack of communication and respect that we almost called the whole thing off. But we had already put an earnest deposit down and were afraid we wouldn't get our money back if we cancelled.
 A few days later the workers show up to begin, albeit unannounced. Thankfully, I was home and was able to look at their plans....which happened to be the wrong plans that reflected none of the changes made. The workers themselves were very respectful and hard-working. We were both so angry at our dealings with Stone Creek that I'm sure they felt caught in the middle, especially when we realized that there were working off of incorrect plans. We think the landscape workers themselves were honest and did a great job. That is probably the only ray of sunshine in this experience.
Multiple attempts to contact someone at this company other than Brandi were ignored. We felt like we were in the dark about most of the process, the timelines given were a farce, the plans were incorrect and we did not feel our concerns were responded to appropriately.  Brandi at one point accused me of being "hysterical" about the timing and her lack of communication. My wife works night shift and was sleeping in a bedroom right next to where construction was being done...it was important to us to know when people would be working so she could move to another room to sleep if needed. I don't think asking to know when people are going to be jackhammering, talking, or digging right outside your bedroom window while you are trying to sleep is being hysterical.
We would never use this company again and would not recommend them to any hard-working people who don't have 1000s of dollars or time to waste. Dealing with this company was an effort in frustration.

The plans and drawing were excellent--at the time we did not have the money to do what we wanted, but the consultant gave us a lot of good information about what would work for what we wanted. It was very helpful.

It went fine

They provided a nice plan and the service was great. They were thoughtful and two people came for the service. They came on time and they spent three hours with us and they were very pleasant to work with.

They were pretty good. I don't remember off hand the cost of the job. They did a pretty good job putting in the patio and it was pretty much what I expected. They did a reasonable job. My only complaint was that they finished they didn't really clean up that well.

Stone Creek rep Shirley came to my house first for information and scheduled meeting with designer. Meet with Shirley and designer on several occasions and got completed design blueprints with no obligation for project to be done by Stone Creek. Stone Creek submitted written estimate on completion of project. I met with 4 other contractors (3 I found on Angie's List). I Was very impressed by Angie's List reviews on Salvador Murillo Landscape and his bid was more $6000.00 less than all other contractors' bids. I chose Murillo for project.

They were horrible, the guy was pissed at his employer for overworking him, he was swamped, and he wasn't getting paid for it. He came and drew out his own landscape, he didn't listen to me at all. He made it a Japanese landscape, which I would never do, and I would never want a Koi pond. It was the biggest farce I have ever partaken in and I would never do it again. They probably are great, it was just a horrible deal, he got stretched, and he got caught into it. It was a waste of my money. It would have been a great deal if I got something out of it. He went out the backyard door by himself, and started sketching something, he didn't listen to anything I said.

Brandie became very high pressure on payment and many things had to be changed. I am having to have another landscaper fix the drainage that was put in around the house. I had to hassle with them to get rocks changed that caused a hazzard to tenants. The bark put in the flower beds had earth to wood contact and when it rained the gutter spout was routed so that the water ran into the garage.I will not re-hire.

The landscape service I received for the $90 Big Deal was a computer drawing for front yard landscaping without a plant list, and an installation estimate for $14,000. I had to constantly send email reminders to finally get the drawing. apparently the Big Deal was not that big of a deal to them. I believe it took from the initial contact in October of 2011 to finally get the drawing in June of 2012.

The project started with the foreman having to borrow a tape measure from me and that set the tone for the rest of the project. The foreman would drop off the non-English speaking crew and leave for the day. The crew could not communicate with me and the foreman's mail box was full. The owner was on an extended vacation. The crew borrowed from me levels, a trenching shovel, a rack, hoses, a landscaping rake (without permission), a screwdriver, even a plan for the plantings. The job cite was consistently messy, with debris left for days. |The concrete cracked after less than two months. The owner claimed that it was not his fault and he would not fix it. I suggested that the lack of rebar may have contributed to the cracking and he said they always used rebar. When I showed him pictures showing no rebar before the pour he said he didn't need to use rebar. I received no cooperation from him until I filled a complaint with the State Contractor's Board. He has since repoured a portion of the patio.

no followup

It went well, person came discussed what our needs were and I like the plan and suggestions

Stone Creek Landscape and Construction are finishing up today but they haven's showed up quite yet. The craftsmanship so far is looking good but won't know until after the power wash. The staff are nice and seem very professional. We got a couple of different bids on the project and their quote was a little lower and we got a little bit more out of it compared to the other companies. It was fairly comparable but Stone Creek Landscape and Construction was a little bit better.

Very well

Saw Landscaper and went over details. Came back with plan but never deliverd finished plan as stated.

We were satisfied with their service.

He gave us an idea and was a nice man but we did not want to proceed with the job.

.I contacted Stone Creek looking for a landscape architect to complete my backyard project around my pool. I spoke with Clayton Winter who stated to me when asked that he was a licensed landscape architect. I have now learned after filing a complaint with the State Contractors Board, he is not, nor was he currently licensed under Stone Creeks license as a certified home salesperson, nor did he have a current contractors license. Stonecreek did an extremely poor job. The job entailed landscaping around my pool with irrigation, a flagstone patio and an outside shower which was installed I found out later by an unlicensed plumber. The shower lines were cut into my existing outside kitchen which had a legal permit obtained in 2008. Now my outside kitchen sink does not work. The subcontractor, Ricardo Lopez was also not a licensed contractor. So basically I had no legally licensed contractor on my job during the course of the entire contract. Clayton Winter the sales person is extremely slick. I never had a completed signed contract, my design plans were never given back to me after the first initial change, and Stone Creek substituted below average material to complete my job, and deviated greatly from the promised job description. They promised 5 yds of composted soil, however only brought in 2 yards. They used an existing pile of dirt I had when I put my pool in for their soil, and when the irrigation was turned on, I immediately had weeds, Which they agreed to take care of if I signed a maintenence contract. The workers stole several of my terra cotta pots which they later admitted too. They were to import boulders, yet they removed existing boulders from a water feature done years prior. After I contacted the owner Robert Circle, he made an attempt to remedy the problem, but eventually abandoned the job. I have read other reviews and many have had positive experiences with Stone Creek. I wish I had gotten one of the other Project Managers..possibly this would have turned out better. Mr Winter did some iron work for me as a subcontractor of Stone Creek, however the subcontracted company does not hold a current license to construct Ornamental Iron Work. I never had any signed or written change orders. Mr. Winters assured me, since he was keeping track in his head I would get a smoking deal. I told him I didn't want a smokin deal. I wanted a beautiful yard. Clearly from my pictures here, I have a yard, far from beautiful. All during this project I was going through treatment for kidney failure and had a kidney transplant. Mr. Winter took full advantage of that. Stay clear of this company. We had a small claims hearing where representations made to the Court that were completely untrue and unfounded. The judge dismissed my case, pending the findings of the State Contractors Board's investigation, and then I may refile. I wasn't quite prepared for the cunningness of Stone Creek and the judge stated I should have brought an expert witness, which I did not. Apparently these pictures aren't enough. I am heartbroke over this entire thing. My backyard is a mess and now I am faced with removing the entire flagstone patio because of improper grading which will when the rains start, flood my home. Be very careful with this company. Some of their individuals may very well be honest and good people. Unfortunately I ended up with the one that wasn't.

The service was okay overall. The technician was late with delivering the products and was lacking attention to detail. From what he mentioned, it seemed as though he was having some sort of personal issues while he was working with us. Because of that, there was a delay in us getting the plans. Some of his suggestions didn't make sense, like planting plants that needed sunlight in areas where minimal sunlight occurred.

Although I feared that the experience of redoing our backyard would be horrible, we were pleasantly surprised that this experience went as well as it did. Brad was available and responsive daily over the course of the two weeks to complete the work. He and his team were a pleasure to work with. Clemente headed the work crew and he was fabulous. Both Brad and Clemente seem to really care about the work that they do. They did not cut corners or try to get us to spend more money. Brad was respectful of our budget and worked to get us the most for our money. The work crew cut a power line but we were told about it immediately and it was fixed with no added charges. On several occasions, Clemente or Brad came up with ideas that would improve the plan for the yard; we incorporated the new ideas which turned out to be excellent suggestions. Change orders were easily accommodated. Stone Creek did everything that was promised, did it professionally, and did it on time. There were no delays in the work and we got the full attention of the crew until all the work was done.The best review I can give is to say that the back yard is beautiful and we have asked Stone Creek to redo our front courtyard now.

Brad was professional and attentive and addressed all my concerns. Arnold was an expert on the Bobcat removing the tree roots, etc. I was impressed with their level of service and knowledge. I am pleased with my new improved front yard!