CHRISTIE DUSTMAN & CO

I hired Christie Dustman to first assess my property and then to design a specific bed that was especially challenging. I shared my color preferences and my hope for a good winter view from my picture window. She knew I loved to garden and that I am new to the endeavor. I couldn’t afford to have a designer do all the work. I gave her an idea of what I could afford, and this was fine with Christie. I wanted general ideas and then the freedom to choose the shrubs and plant them. She came up with a wonderful design that helped me expand my thinking about what to plant. She encouraged me to use my aesthetics to create the look I wanted. The boost in confidence I received from working with Christie has made me a happier and better gardener. She advised me on how to maintain the conifers in their dwarf size and to include deciduous shrubs and perennials for seasonal variety. I couldn’t be happier. She is extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful and a pleasure. I’d hire her again in a heart beat!

Overall, very disappointing and stressful experience. Too many ongoing issues to list. Ms. Dustman did allow us to pay half of the quoted price, however we still feel that it wasn't worth the $1900 for the work done. In the end we had to hire another landscaper.

From the beginning of the design work we as homeowners were aware of the technical issues that would develop from the complicated vision we had wanted to achieve in the project.  We were looking for a company that would have the patience and aesthetic skill to make reality the look we envisioned.  We knew it was complicated and we knew an average company would not take the time to use the quality materials and extra detail work that we wanted.  We did not want a cheap project but a quality project. We had used Christie Dustman in the past for a smaller project (custom made trellises in the backyard garden along the property border) and decided that she had both the skill and temperament to tackle this more complex project with us.
Initially we hired her just to design and spec out the complete project so we would have a master plan that could be installed in pieces as our budget would allow.  We sat in our initial meeting and decided together what would most likely be the cost required for the master plan.  At no time in the process were we given charges not initially discussed and Christie made sure as the planning process went along that we stayed within budget.  Once the plan was finished and the specs and pricing came in, Christie worked with us to figure out ways to keep the overall costs of the project within our limits without comprising quality or style. At that time we decided to move forward with the construction of the project with Christie as project manager even though we initially had only planned to purchase a plan.
Of course issues came up along the way and adjustments and changes needed to be made on the spot.  What we cared most about was that Christie and her subcontractors worked with us to resolve these issues quickly and drama-free. For the most part, that was true.  The team Christie pulled together for our project were true craftsmen and the end result is proof of their skill as well as our shared concern for detail.  Such a "high end" result does not happen without "headache moments," but Christie handled these moments with professionalism, collaboration, and drama-free problem solving skills.  We love the end result - and so do our neighbors who comment on it almost daily!
 

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