Laurence E Fosgate

OVERALL COMMENTS: From Mr.: I greatly appreciated the time Ed devoted to getting to know us before putting a shovel in the ground. He then combined our lifestyle & home with his vision for our backyard. Ed shared his thoughts, experience and creativity with us so that we were active participants in the hardscape & landscape transformation that occurred at our home. I look out the windows and am amazed at the peaceful refuge that is now just steps away. From Mrs.: Being new to Florida, we find ourselves drawn to the natural beauty here. After visiting Bok Tower Gardens, I noted an offer for landscaping from Laurence E. Fosgate through Angie's list. We contacted him right away knowing that the offer would be popular and wanted to be early in line. Upon meeting Ed, we discovered not only an experienced and knowledgeable expert on Florida plants but also an artist who viewed our back yard of grass as a canvas upon which to create a peaceful garden sanctuary. Ed began our journey together by asking us the kinds of questions that informed him about who we are and how the garden would be used while he put forth ideas to inspire our thinking which expanded our views. We remained open to his ideas and shared in the visioning process with him. During the 5 week journey together from hardscape to landscape, Ed and his teams of people were skilled, conscientious, and detailed in their work and clean-up each day they were with us. Rain, of course, slowed us down just a bit but not too much. We are thrilled to have a peaceful garden that gets "ohs, ahs, and wows" from our guests when they arrive and the daily enjoyment for us as we relax and delight in its beauty. From a full grass lawn, we now have a beautiful garden sanctuary to enjoy. We couldn't be more pleased and enjoyed the entire process from start to finish!

Has not gone well to date since I cannot get him to fulfill his obligation.

Ed did a great job on the drawing it just took a little time to get it. We had some scheduling issue but at the end of the day he delivered as expected. The hand drawn landscaping plan looked great and his prices to actually make the drawing a reality were good too. Unfortunately we just have to save up a little to go through with the actual work. I would definitely recommend Ed, he is very knowledgeable and created a wonderful plan that met our needs.

As indicated above, I used Laurence Fosgate on 2 separate projects. I was pleased with the work on both jobs and plan on doing a third project. He had a knowledge of my drainage problems and providing a simple solution which solved the problem. He was very knowledgeable and professional. The landscaping was just what I wanted, low maintenance with curb appeal.

Made verbal contact over phone and then sent e-mails to rovided address with available dates and times. Never heard back by phone or e-mail. Wasted 49.00!

Very well. As stated in above box

Last summer we purchased the Landscape Plans deal from Angie's List. We arranged a time and Ed came out to see our garden and meet with us. My husband and I love to spend time in the garden. We have done a lot to it since we moved into this house, but realized that something was missing. Ed immediately diagnosed the problem and came up with some great ideas. He went away saying he would be back with some designs. A few weeks later, he came back for a second look and sat down and drew his ideas right then. Now, I have to tell you we had initial concerns, but read on because this project turned out brilliantly! We are used to watching HGTV designers and sort of expected that this was what we would get - a professional landscape rendering and a professional presentation, but what we got was an artist! First, he said we had such a large space (approximately 50' x 120') with so many areas that he wanted to create one major zone, then when that was done, he could design for the rest of the space. I had hoped to get a design that we could then implement, but the initial design was so amazing that there was no way we could have created it with a tenth of the skill that his crew showed. I still do not know what the rest of the yard will look like, it's still in his head, but I am certain it will be amazing! Our second concern was the design itself. It was more of an artist's rendering of what he envisioned. No CAD drawings here. We both thought it was lovely, but my husband could not envision what it was going to be. This design turned out to be a living thing. It changed a bit as the project progressed, but in general was true to the vision. It also did not give us any real idea of how spectacular our yard was going to be. Our project consisted of creating three decks all at different levels and a path connecting them winding around a pond we already had in our yard. Because our yard had a slope, he emphasized it with his design. (There aren't many hills in Orlando!) We also needed the waterfall rebuilt. This was all followed by the amazing eye candy of plants in a wide variety of color, texture and size. Once we scheduled the work, the crew arrived on time everyday and worked all day until the project was completed. This project took about two weeks. They cleared out an old concrete patio and a lot of old plants. They saved many plants by moving them to other parts of the yard and kept the area as clean as possible by leaving it neat and tidy before they left every day. They were professional and polite. They were happy to answer my questions and show me their progress as each day passed. Their attention to detail was amazing! I have had to ask them to come back for a few tweaks and they have happily done this. Once to fix a flow problem with the waterfall and then because I realized one area of the path needed to be widened. We have spent more time in our garden since this work has been done than we have in the past 5 years. We plan to have them put in a barbeque area in the future and also create some more amazing areas across the rest of our yard. We are very, very pleased with the results. We whole-hearted recommend him and his crew!

He arrived on time for the evaluation and was very nice. Again, no work has been done.

It went great until the was a minor problem with the paver supplier. Once we got the product to the house, everything was back on track.

long time to deliver the landscape plan quality of plan is OK. overall i was content with his level of workmanship, but displeased with his timeliness to deliver. if we had more than just design / conceptual work - it wouldve gone faster at a higher priority.

He gave me his website to look at his previous work. I felt that his work and the vision I had for my yard did not match so I decided to not use his services for the project.

We purchased a package for a landscape design for either the front or back yards. Mr. Fosgate immediately contacted us on 6-8-2012 after purchase on 6-8-2012 to firm up a time to meet. On June 9, 2012, he stated he would get back to me on a date and time to meet. Not having heard from Mr. Fosgate, I contacted him again on 6-18-2012 to try to set up a time to meet. On June 19th Mr. Fosgate suggested Saturdays, and I replied on the same date that Saturday, June 23 would be fine. On June 29th, due to lack of response, I again contacted Mr. Fosgate regarding a date to meet, and heapologized and we met on Saturday, June 30th. He explained he was very busy and current design work took priority over new work. Mr. Fosgate did provide a loose outline of his plans for our front yard when we met and said he would be back to us with a design plan within a week or two. Slow forward to August 2, 2012 when I e-mailed him regarding our plans and asking if I could assist with house photos, etc.. He responded the same day he had formulate our plan and just needed to come back out one more time to visualize before finalizing when he expected in the next few days. Slow forward again to August 21 when I again e-mailed Mr. Fosgate due to lack of response questioning if he need any assistance in expediting our plan. His response on August 22 was that he had his ideas "largely formulated" and should have a plan to us "shortly". I offered to e-mail photos of the house help expedite and did so on August 22. On September 10, 2012, after no response again, I e-mailed and requesteda firm date we could expect our plans. Received a response on 9-11-2012 that he hoped to have the completed plan on 9-12 and requesteda date to meet. I responded the same day to name the time and date andwe would be available. Again, no response. September 16, 2012 I e-mailed Mr. Fosgate questioning if there was a problem with completion of our plan, to please advise and I would request a refund from Angies List. His response on September 17 was as follows: "Would you like to visit the Tremron showroom in Altamonte Springs some time tomorrow to look at paver styles and options so I can incorporate them into the design? Picking these out should help finalize everything. Your design is composed in my head, just need to draw it with the appropriate specifications" I responded I would prefer to just pick out something on the internet from the showroom site to avoid a long trip and more delay. This was the final straw as now the design was clearly never even started and was still in his head. I decided to just request a refund. Requested a refund from Angie's List on September 17, 2012 and advised Mr. Fosgate of the same. Mr. Fosgate was always pleasant and the main issue was with a lack of response in providing the purchased service. He clearly is too busy to handle the business he is getting. I could not comment on his work as I never saw anything to judge.

Because our home has a beautiful view of the golf course, we wanted our backyard to reflect and frame the vista we enjoyed seeing each day. The backyard of our new home had very little grass, a lot of dirt and tremendous potential. So, rather than making a futile attempt at trying to create our own respite, my husband and I went to Angie's List to find the most qualified designer, and landscape artist in the Orlando area. Ed Fosgate listened to our desires and ideas...and asked us to come up with three or four elements that were especially important to us to be included in his landscape elemental plan. The next day he came back and we gave him renderings of a patio, bridge and waterfall. We also wanted a gazebo, but, because of the style of our home, and the view of our home and backyard from the golf course, Ed suggested that a pergola would be more in keeping with the design of our home and future landscaping. After understanding the difference in the two structures, we agreed--since the pergola was so classic and had such a clean design. In a couple of days, Ed was back with his completed landscaping design which was perfect in every way. We recognized Ed's truly creative genius when he included a berm behind the waterfall and at the top of the bridge--which became a useful deck where we can sit, eat and enjoy a fire pit on those rare, but special, cool Florida nights. Ed thoughtfully included flowering plants that keep our garden colorful at all times and special LED accent lighting, giving us the option to utilize our deck at night. Ed is thoughtful and resourceful, as is his business associate Michael. They go above and beyond what is necessary to make your dreams come true. Additionally, the crew of workers are respectful and dependable. We would recommend Ed Fosgate's services and expertise to all, and look forward to hiring him again in the future.

Laurence came to my house on 12/22/12. He reviewed my plan,discussed alternatives, measured the space to install a brick paver patio and wrote an estimate . This estimate also gave a completion date within a week! Laurence committed to stay in contact for the scheduling of the installation. He called me on 12/26/12 for installation the next day. He and his crew were punctual and prepared to work as promised. The job was not only completed the same day,but cleanup was likewise done restoring the yard to it's prework condition. The new paver patio exceeded my expectations. I should also note that Laurence was not put off by the relatively small size of this job as opposed to other contractors who wanted to impose a minimum charge to do the job; charges that would have exceeded what I ultimately paid by a considerable amount. Great Job. Thanks

We met with him for a walk around the property and discussion of ideas for landscaping and hardscaping. He sent me a website to look over for ideas. We will meet after the holidays to further plan the future of our yard. I'm looking forward to working with him.

Mr. Fosgate came to my house promptly when a date was set. He walked the lawn with me and listened to what I wanted to create with a new lawn design. He gave me great ideas and and incorporated my preferences.

This BIG DEAL is NO BIG DEAL. After several attempts through email and phone calls, Larry did finally come out to our home. I purchased the "Complete Landscape Design and Consultation" and I also asked Larry to quote us for the purchase and installation of the landscaping. I asked if it would be possible to complete the work before Christmas and he stated he thought that would work out. He came out in early November and I have not heard back from him yet. No design, nothing.

Ed answered my first email that day and was able to work around my schedule for the design, yard prep and actual planting. The gentlemen that he had working for him were very cordial and thoroughly cleaned up after themselves both days that they were at my house. The landscaping really turned out beautfully and I have received lots of compliments from my neighbors. Can't wait to complete additional landscaping projects next year. A true artist, Ed also reviewed some paint swatches that I had chosen for the exterior and trim of my home and gave me some great ideas for that as well. I would definitely recommend Ed to my friends and others.

My initial phone contact on October 3, 2012 sounded positive. This professional did admit that he was very busy and had received a large response from the posting. I told him that I was in no hurry to have work completed before Christmas but would like to get an idea and estimate so I could plan accordingly. There was no more communication for 2 months. The last contact I made to him was December 3, 2012 when I emailed and asked if I was still "on his radar". He responded that he didn't think I was in a hurry but would visit the site when I was off for Christmas. I responded that that would be Christmas Eve and Christmas Day--not good timing. I have not heard from him since. I give up.

Called Mr. Fosgate twice to setup an appointment and never heard back from him.

Outstanding, Ed is very knowledgeable and has considerable experience in landscape design. He was able to quickly and easily inspect the property, offer insight and ideate a plan. A+

His main focus was the front yard. He stated the money I paid would be put toward the complete job. Approx $330 toward the $6990 for the front and side and $2060 for the rear. May use him down the road because I believe he is artistic, but currently can not afford the job quoted and did not get the complete plans as paid for special on Angies List. Later on Angis list this same offer dropped to $45 for plans which was around $165 when I purchased this for plan for the front and $165 for the back. Do not believe I recived my money's worth. Did not call him to further address this after he stated he would roll the amount into the cost of the job. Seems he want the job more than the plans he offers.

The finished landscape is nothing leas than spectacular. I had to go out of town for a while for work and when I returned, I was speechless. He had transformed a weed-filled slightly grassy, mostly sandy, barren backyard to a mini resort hotel look with tropical plants, different elevations, wonderful colors, a river rock area with a beautiful wooden bridge that will eventually be arched by the beautiful non-invasive bamboo plants, a separate elevated herb garden so we can plant our own herbs and vegetables that is bordered by colored rocks that Ed hand selected from a rock quarry, and a gorgeous planting bench and pergola to work under to plant the vegetables and herbs that Ed's team built themselves. Ed treated us like family and I cannot imagine using anyone else for a project. Here's what I would suggest in order to successfully work with Ed: 1) Give him time to think about your project. Ed is truly an artist, in fact, he is also a painter. We found that his design success lies in his ability to think outside the box. The initial process of coming up with a design truly takes time and, as his client, you should have some visuals that can inspire hiim to take off with his wonderfully creative designs. 2) He does not move quickly but he will always get back with you. Sometimes you may have to contact him more than once, BUT, when the project starts, you will be very pleased with his profound dedication to your project and making you absolutely happy. I have done a few remodels and I have worked with many contractors. Not only would I recommend ED for ANY landscape project, we hired him to design and transform the front yard, which turned out beautiful as well. We have already referred him to many of our neighbors because they cannot believe the transformation of our yard. We feel like we were on an HGTV show!

See my comments above. I had a poor experience with this provider.

This review is a reflection of a Big Deal refund.