Jon Gross Building Arts

"In response to [Member Name Removed] it's unfortunate I showed up on time for a FREE consultation. In most cases work had been done many years ago and someone is looking for a garden revision or "freshen-up" however [Member Name Removed] had already apparently spent her budget on other less professional landscapers and herself to DYI the backyard. Unfortunately, there were too many basic mistakes i.e. drainage being the most important as well as things actually being overdone already. Really the best advice I could give was to do less and reverse some of the overdesigned landscape. I asked for a budget and sounded like it was already spent. I politely declined doing any further work and certainly after spending my fuel and time giving the sometimes hard to hear advice it seems I may have offended [Member Name Removed]. Most people call me on referral and am known for being plain spoken and "Matter of Fact". Sometimes even "brassy" or curt in order to get to the business at hand. 95 percent estimated clients appreciate direct professional approach and are prepared to sometimes have slightly hurt feelings though understand I have to "break a few eggs" first in order to build a beautiful, purposeful, intentional looking landscape. P.S. I would certainly love to salvage any hurt feelings or negative opinion [Member Name Removed] may have of me if given an opportunity I would work very hard for her and provide my best advice and treated the same as my long-time loyal customers like I do all new customers. Best Regards [Member Name Removed]...Be Well"

"Thank you for such a kind review. Definitely a fun challenge with the pets and heavy shade. I'm very proud of how successful the design solution turned out and so look forward to the custom shed to match the design theme we've already committed to. so fun to see the evolution. Thank you so much!"

"Thanks [Member Name Removed]. You truly embraced the process and trusted me through the design direction which really paid off. So happy to work with such a trusting customer and so happy to execute this design. So fun to start the back in the spring. Huge transformation!"

"I was honored to have been involved in this young families home renovation project. What they and most people identified as negatives I was able to turn into a positive and along with a creative drainage solution we now have almost doubled this ranch houses usable functional entertaining space. Turning all the negatives into positives and going with "The Ruins" design theme was really challenging and rewarding for everyone involved."

"Yes indeed [Member Name Removed] this was a fine example of a landscape front yard refresh and privacy screen green wall back yard improvement. Thanks for phase one investment and look forward to the patio/ grill area on phase two."

"Great front walk, landscaping, lighting remodel. Reset the front after years of inproperly burried layers of landscaping. Fresh start not over designed and tasteful landscape that looks like it belongs to this property...hurray!"

"Yes Mr. [Member Name Removed] accurately summarized this project. When spring arrives we will submit fresh pictures for review..Thank you Mr. And Mrs. [Member Name Removed]..."

"Thank you [Member Name Removed] it was my pleasure. You helped pick the right materials and we were able to update the front with classic cobbler look...super fun"

"Our pleasure to do this renovation on referral from Mr. .[Member Name Removed]'s mothers property. Nice simple front yard landscape. Appreciate opportunity so much to get into your subdivision."

"Repaired a natural dry stacked stone retaining wall originally built by others too tall and improperly backfilled creating a hydraulic pressure behind original wall. We removed existing wall required to rebuild a proper footing and leveled new wall with mortar and proper drainage behind to increase drainage and reduce hydraulic pressure. Repaired wall sure to last a very long time now with no trouble. Thanks Mr. [Member Name Removed] for allowing us to do our job and get the wall repair done right."

"Yes indeed after some research we did one passed over e-mail that should have been returned. We strive hard for our A rating and at minimum this homeowner deserved a call back. The service this homeowner requested is one that we do not provide though at minimum a return call should have been obliged."

"Thanks [Member Name Removed] so much. She is right. Drainage is one of the biggest concerns both affecting the health of the yard and the integrity of the home. Most often overlooked by builders as it seems most of their work stops at the front door. We install Downspouts, Drain Tiles, French Drains, Surface Grate Drains for both yards and hardscape surfaces, and of coarse finish grading and lawn renovation. Look forward to your screen porch build [Member Name Removed] and Thanks again so very much, Jon"

"Yes this project was unique in every way. Note just a deck, not just a patio, and not much of any regular back yard space. [Member Name Removed] wanted a cohesive design and a few special items found on Pinterest which I was willing to take on for a first time. The custom Steel and Cedar Shade structure over the Granite Kitchen Area and a real stone vaulted pier with built in smoker was a fun challenge and though much reliance on third party suppliers slowed the process I explained the finish would be well worth the wait. No compromises and some patient homeowners turned out a living space to be proud of that will last for a very long time. Nice to have a low maintenance space to entertain that will structural last generations. Fabrication of special structures done in a manner to last such as powder coating steel instead of plain painting and custom limestone caps for smoker did take time to get from manufacturers but better to get it right than go a cheaper lower quality build that wont hold up over time. I also had fun custom welding a lighted backrest for deck bench that made that whole space. Didn't charge them for the custom work on that bench but Mr. [Member Name Removed] loved it so much he couldn't let me go without paying for it. Such a pleasure to work for such good people. Glad they made such great final decisions and we finished such a beautiful space. Thanks so much [Member Name Removed] and [Member Name Removed] and thank you for reading this review and response!"

"Thanks so much for the kind words. Yes indeed the scope of work broke down into several phases begining late fall and winter 2017. As work finished up late winter the [Member Name Removed]'s decided to keep us around through the spring to move forward towards that pool. Along the way I discovered an older sprinkler system in deperate need of some upgrades, a gutter drainage system not working correctly, several old landscapes burried inappropriately, old trees and tree roots causing much trouble, and grade issues around foundation. I was really impressed with their comitment to make the necessary corrections to this property now completely renoved in a respectable manner this yard will be much more enjoyable and much less maintenance for years to come."

"Thank you [Member Name Removed] Z. for the nice comments. Yes this project really involved a rebuild of existing wall constructed with no consideration for drainage conditions. A wall rebuild with some weep holes allowed for water to pass through seat wall and not under footing which is what caused the undermining and eventual structural failure. Thanks so much for the job and know that I will guarantee my work and integrity of the rebuilt wall."

"Yes indeed [Member Name Removed] I enjoyed the comprehensive plan we did together. I know some of the ideas were "outside the box" though I had a budget and your goals to consider and the recycling of some materials were appropriate and worked well for us. Drainage issues tend to be the most harmful to a properties integrity and once addressed I'm sure our your new landscape to be enjoyed for many years to come with little maintenance to worry about. Such a pleasure collaborating with you both on this and happy the yard and outdoor space is once again an enjoyable place to relax. Thanks again for the project and referral to your neighbor."

"Such a favorite project of mine. From start to finish the homeowners really embraced the design and construction process from start to finish. The homeowner really played a big part in all aspects of this project and kept an open mind to sometimes unforeseen conditions buried under years of previous work. All challenges were met with optimal resolve and commitment by both parties to this job. The homeowner contributed in building several wooden structures and site furnishings which I designed into the Master Plan. Their attention detail matched mine and I was comforted in knowing the ultimate high quality finish would be translated from the plan. Such fun this collaboration. Thanks for such a wonderful experience."