
Jake's Designs
About us
Jake's Designs was founded in 2000 by Jake Harris upon his graduation from Colorado State University. While at CSU, Jake received his Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture as well as numerous scholarships for his irrigation designs from landscape industry giants Hunter and Rainbird. Since its inception, Jake's Designs has carried an A+ rating with the local Better Business Bureau and is also a member in good standing with the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC). Jake's designs strives to get down to what the client really wants and to deliver that in a professional fashion.
Business highlights
Services we offer
Landscape architecture, aquascape and water features, erosion control and drainage solutions, irrigation and lawn sprinkler systems & landscape lighting., landscape design and installation, patio and fire pit, retaining walls, vegetation and planting, walkways and paths, xeriscape
Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
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79% | ||
7% | ||
10% | ||
0% | ||
3% |
"This project was performed in May of 2015. This is just not accurate and honestly. When I met the client they had me bid out 5 different projects with separate pricing, I was happy to do so as I know everyone has a budget to work within. The client hired us to lay sod in the backyard as well as install 2 zones of sprinkler, one for the backyard, one for a planting bed area. We did just that. He never did contract for the retaining walls so I'm not too sure how he "fired us" as the job we were contracted to do was complete. The zones we installed work great, the sod established beautifully. Where it all went wrong was when he ran the existing sprinkler in the front, note that this system is over 10 years old and we did not touch any of it. When we fired up the whole system (again, it was in the spring) he had a stuck valve that wouldn't close. No problem, we have ran into this before. We called the problem to the owners attention and let him know we would clean out the valve and rebuild it at no charge, this usually fixes the issue. In this case it did not and I offered to install a new valve along with the cost associated with that. The client was hellbent that we did something to this valve and declined to pay for a new one. Ok, fine. To be honest the client spoke down to myself and the crew as if we were second class citizens so I really wasn't inclined to throw in any freebies for him. A day later I get a call from an irrigation specialist stating that he had just encountered the client, who was trashing us out verbally. He laughed and stated there was nothing wrong with anything we did and that he replaced the valve to fix the problem. We have gotten pickier with who we work with now, sometimes we aren't a fit for everyone out there."
"Thank you sir! You are an absolute pleasure to work for! We will help you out anytime!"
Felt like a rush job as I was given my 5 days while work for previous customer was stopped momentarily prior to Thanksgiving holiday. Any adjustments were hard to come by. First time using a landscaper and probably my last. Learned that being very specific with contract details is required. It was like pulling teeth to get them to take me seriously on issues and not respond to me as if I were an idiot but that could be due to my demeanor. Then again, maybe, changes meant extra time which was not available due to having to return to previous customer. I chose to use email as needed to keep a record of my contacts with them and maybe that was part of the problem. In the end the work looks good and have been given a 3 yr. warranty on the work.
As of today, May 19,2016, drains are working which was the main concern as my neighbors below were unhappy with the water coming off our house and running down our 45 degree hill onto their property. This was the main reason for contacting a landscaper. However, I talked with the landscaper several times about the main drain pipe not extending to the curb (about 3-4 feet short) and they kept saying it wasn't necessary and one response was regarding a street grader might hit it. Not an issue as a grader doesn't do but a strip up the middle of the street if at all. There is a city water cap in water's path before the curb. Also voiced concern over water washing soil away over time under pavement. Also did not want to run risk of water again running toward neighbor's property so I built up a little berm to keep water flowing to street. Since they wouldn't extend it I probably will do it myself. I did not like the original fix plan on one of the drain pipes and emailed the contact as well as talked to one of the workers about a different way of going about it. Didn't get a response right away and after some verbal effort they did respond and made the change. It did cost extra but I understood that. Before getting any estimates I researched on connecting drains and burying underground. I thought the underground pipes were to be below freeze line but in some places like along the south slope side the pipe is barely under soil and the wildlife have exposed it. I've covered it up a little more in some places. Not sure if exposure to elements will cause any problems.
The wall looks great! They did a good job here. I thought it was to go a little further on the south side and curve up to driveway on north but since I didn't make sure that was more specific in the contract, I'll take it the responsibility for it. I did it myself on the north with a few boulders I requested from them when they were cleaning up .
The fill dirt is alkaline clay and like cement when dry. The deer like to lick it though :). New for me since our soil is red sand. Seeding by landscaper was iffy during spreading. Wind came up and tossing up in the air seemed to be the process. I wanted native grass. The grass below the wall will remain long but the grass on the wall level is to be mowed. Landscaper used same seed for both. My failure to be more specific in contract. Between the wind and the birds depleting the seed over the winter I've since (mid April) got out a pick to get through the cement soil and reseeded with a more lawn like native mix and grass is breaking through. I'll wait the 2 yrs. to see how it establishes.
French drain also working however the material around the pipe extending along the wall is showing in some areas and water collects more in those areas. Grass won't grow on exposed material either.
All in all a passer by will think it looks great and it does. Drainage is working. Can't get over even now that it felt like a rush job. I'm just disappointed that my first experience working with a landscaper was somewhat disappointing but I've learned a lot.
It does look nice and the improvement does wonders for my 65 yr. old body in maintaining the yard. Satisfied but not ecstatic.
"Once we saw this review we contacted the homeowner immediately. We have since corrected all issues with this project at no charge to the client. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience we caused. Please let us know if we can assist further in the future."
He could not get to the job for 6-8 weeks, which was disappointing as we had rain continue to come into the house several times during the interm. When he did come out, his crew did the job and we paid him.
A couple of weeks later I was in that area when I noticed the stumps. They had not been removed. I thought it was an oversight. I sent an email to Jake through Angie's List several weeks ago. We have not had a response. This is concerning because we paid a lot of money to address the water leaking into the house and now, it appears we will have to address this same issue again in a year or two.
"Hi{Member's name}, We have been really backed up lately, I thought I responded to that email but apparently it slipped through the cracks here, I apologize. I have your name on my list of warranty items and will certainly get to this as soon as we can. We have not forgotten about you and will get this right."
This landscape project consisted of designing, excavating and planting shrubs on a terrace approximately 100' in length in the backyard of our home. The project was particularly difficult due to the very limited accessibility to mechanized equipment. Most of the excavation work was necessarily done by hand. Additionally, a rock wall about 40' in length was constructed to lessen the slope in order to permit the use of crushed granite over the entire area. It was also necessary to revamp the existing drip
system and to plug and abandon an existing sprinkler system. The initial work was hand excavation, followed by building the rock wall and planting 40 or so shrubs in the excavated area. Next, a weed barrier was installed over the entire area. Crushed granite was then placed over the weed barrier. Some problems were encountered in installing the drip sprinkler system, but these were satisfactorily overcome. Finally, a small flower garden area was excavated and the old dirt replacd with new soil. Existing plants and shrubs were salvaged wherever practical. Jake's supervisors and employees were very cooperative throughout the project.
"[Member Name Removed], we are honored that you had us back to do a second phase for your landscape, that's one of [Member Information Removed] biggest compliments you could give us. We'll be here for you should you need anything else."
Now the job is done and they are going to check back in the Spring to make sure the plants are still alive.
A few months later I called her to notify Dani that we were ready and we got together again to get the project started in August. She had numerous examples of materials, ideas, and helped us finalize the plan to narrow down the budget to where it would be managable for us, we were treated as if we lived in the Broadmoor area. We were excited and could not wait! I gave her my word that this project was going to happen. Because of that she did not have me sign anything right away and was going to wait for the walk thru with the building manager. Two weeks before the project I had to cancel all together because my marriage is going south and unable to maintain the payments I need to finance the project. Dani was understanding and sympathetic to our situation. I wish I could have seen this project go thru just because of all the focus we had from them. This company and designer are worth getting ahold of !!!
This project wasn't cheap but the work is always top-notch.
Two days later my phone rang and it was Jake (he really is a man of his word). He said he had a design drawn up for us that he wanted to review. He again came over (on time) and revealed a drawn design of our yard incorporating all that we wanted. He also had material samples as well as a plant book that he made up to show us what he had in mind. His bid was broken down into sections of the project and laid out as to how they would approach the project. After seeing this, the choice was easy, Jake had completely impressed us with his attitude and landscape knowledge, he was our contractor.
Now came for time for the installation and I have to tell you, Jake's Designs employees are just as good as the owner. We were introduced to Jake's construction manager, the crew foreman and the rest of the laborers. The crew went along installing the phases as they were drawn out in the contract and just exactly as it was drawn on the plan. Matt, the construction manager, was always willing to answer any questions we had during the installation process and the crew was just as receptive. The installation went perfect staying on time and in budget, the end price was the exact same as on the contract even though we did change a couple of minor things.
In the end, we LOVE our new landscape and get compliments all the time from our neighbors and guests. It's absolutely perfect for our family and lifestyle and Jake's Designs deserves all the credit. I have had negative experiences with contractors in the past and Jake has restored my faith in people, he does exactly what he says he will do, and better yet, he listens! I will be recommending Jake's Designs to all of my friends and family, thanks Jake, you're the best!
Start date of work was delayed approximately 2 weeks.
"I am not going to give much wieght to this report as I have contacted Member several times via email and phone without her returning my calls or emails. Upon completion of the project, which was done on time, Member and I walked the property for a final walkthrough. She signed off on everything and gave me my final payment in the form of check, we dont deal in cash. The patio is complete and Member was raving about how well it turned out at the walkthrough. I had mentioned if she wanted a wet look to the pavers that a gloss sealant could be applied and provided an estimate for that which she never responded to. We did stop by Member's house on 9-10-12 after she had sent an email stating that the backyard needed perforated edging where water escapes the yard and she had a sprinkler head not working. Keep in mind that we did not install the sprinkler system, it was existing when we showed up to the site. We installed the perforated edging and advised Member to lower her watering to once a day in the morning 4 times a week instead of the 2 times a day every day of the week that she was watering. We also fixed her sprinkler head and found 2 more that were not running right. Member herself, oversaw this work and again said it was satisfactory upon completion. Since this time I have not only gotten a negative comment here, but she has also filed a complaint with the local BBB who sided with me on this complaint. Member had told me I was the 4th landscaper she had hired in the past 5 years, I should have ran then. The bottom line is we have been more than accomodating to help Member with her issues but she refuses to return any emails or calls concerning her job, that's why we just showed up on the 10th. For some odd reason, she is hellbent to trash our good reputation. I think our A+ rating with the local BBB, great reviews here and on google speak for themselves. I will continue to contact Member until I get a reply, I guess there are some people that just cant be satisfied."
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