Best retaining wall installation pros near Chaska, MN

"I was in emergency need of replacing a timber egress window well and an adjacent paver patio that chipmunks had tunneled into and destroyed. I needed it replaced before it caved into the basement window and now was the time. Secondly, I hoped for finding someone who could install a concrete pad attached to my garage’s slab for a future 3-season screened porch. I was having a struggle finding anyone for either. Patio installers didn’t want to take on replacing an egress window well. Concrete people said they were not comfortable drilling rebar into a 75-year-old garage slab. Greg was able to do all of this! His crew was able to relocate a large stone step used in the old patio and integrate it into a new extension of the newpatio. Greg’s crew was able to masterfully cut the replacement pavers tightly around the existing pergola posts, I was really impressed! The concrete slab was poured within the frame of an existing low-height retaining wall, but the edges were dug out deep enough below the ground for structural support of the future 3-season porch. We needed a railing around the egress well, and while such work is outside the scope of what he would do, Greg referred us to a metal smith who built for us a new railing and metal ladder into the well."

"Alan came out in 2012 and gave me some honest suggestions.  We connected again in 2013 and decided on how to proceed.  The work was scheduled for August 2013 and completed in a few days.  Both walls are holding up very nicely now.
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"Pros: Decent work (some good, some bad) Cons: Poor communication, doesn't fix issues (per contract), a number of poor installations, lack of customer service, etc, etc Hired to install front patio, retaining wall, landscaping. I should have known based on the first meeting after signing contract that we would be a second thought (despite spending +$100k)...initial meeting to pick bricks and stone, the lady was confused with who we were as she shuffled through her many layouts for other customers ("sorry, we just have so many"). Was told initially work would start once ground was ready - started a month later due to them having to 'take care of previous year work'. That's fine, just tell us during the winter so we can plan our interior house remodel accordingly. Just got a note one day out of the blue saying that work will start that day despite numerous calls prior trying to get a start date with limited feedback. After working for a few weeks, just stopped showing up for a few weeks. Because they had torn up the front door entrance, it was kind of a big deal to us. Only after a number of emails did we get a note explaining that they were waiting on a permit for the retaining wall. In the meantime, they would not have a crew work on our entrance until they could work on the retaining wall at the same time so as to 'maximize crew efficiency'. Thanks, I'm glad someone else is getting their work done while we (and now our interior contractors, because you started late) have to go in a different entrance because you couldn't get your permitting done correctly. When work finally was resumed, there were issues that became evident. They ripped through a big root on the main locust tree in our yard (how do you miss that?), threatening its survival. They installed a bench against one of our walls without our approval, despite it not being in the plans! We go away a couple days and come back to an unplanned bench. Only because it worked for the space did we accept, but what if we didn't?? There must have been a drop dead date for the job, because all of a sudden one day there were a whole group of workers on the site trying to get it done in a day. When cramming it all in a day, the quality was lost. Hopefully you can tell from the pictures where the patio seems to not be graded right, so water just sits on the patio; downspouts they installed were installed improperly and fall off all the time (and leaves get caught in all the time - what kind of dumb design are the drains?); electrical wires aren't buried correctly and are sitting above the ground us to trip on or animals to chew on; electrical tape on downspouts, etc. Communication was horrible. Only time they would be proactive in reaching out was the day after they issued their invoice asking for payment (sometimes before the work was even completed). We paid promptly each payment, but you wouldn't think so with the emails/calls we received (we won't pay final payment until job is done!). Received zero updates/feedback on a daily or weekly basis from the site foreman, so no idea where the project stood more than what we could see. I believe there was a language barrier. Once job was finished, took them until following year to fix steps that were installed poorly and broke - I'm guessing only due to our constant request for status. They put a 1 year warranty on plants, but when a few of the plants died and requested replacements, they never returned communication despite multiple attempts. Way to do the right thing...they got their money, why would they want to uphold their contractual responsibilities. Leaving overall C grade because a good portion of the work was done well - the retaining wall, facing on the wall, back patio. Left such a poor taste in our mouth with the terrible customer service (communication, follow-through) that it offset any goodness associated with the work. We got the impression that unless you are a super big project (more than the +$100k we spent) that you will be put at the end of the queue (if at all). Would not recommend."

"Clark Companies put a border around our swing set, installed rubber mulch and put down hydroseed. They communicated great, were friendly, on time and listened to exactly what I wanted. Will definitely use them for future landscaping projects."

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Chris, the owner, reviewed my project needs, suggested block style and color, described the process in detail and provided an estimate.  To ensure I would be satisfied with the color choice, he directed me to another project he completed in my area where the same block was used.  The selection was perfect and I hired Artistic Landscapes. 

The crew arrived on time and completed the project as planned. Chris was on site throughout the project to answer any questions I might have and to ensure all was on track.  The effort entailed removal of the existing flagstone wall, digging and setting a base, and removal of left-over flagstone and soil. They also had to accommodate my gutter drainpipe, and I was impressed with their solution. The team was professional, well organized and efficient.

It looks great!  I have no hesitation recommending this company!

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"Cody (and his crew) did a great job for us on our shed pad project. He was on time and cleaned up the area each day. I appreciated that he let us know that there would be extra concrete left from the minimum 1 yard. So, we had him add onto our patio. He listened well to what we needed and worked hard to get everything done on time. I would highly recommend Modern Mix for your project."

"They do fabulous work, they work great with customers. I would recommend them for any landscaping flat work!"

"Great company. They replaced a large retaining wall for us using 3 foot boulders, about 750 sq ft of face, and also repaired serveral paver installations. They were very professional, had great communications, and a great crew. I can't recommend Sean and his guys enough. Javier, the on-site forman, was fantastic."

"Scott and crew installed a new concrete apron after removing existing blacktop. Also repaired edge of garage floor. Nice finish and good value. Did a great job and will use them again to do sidewalk. He knows what he's doing and how to do it right. Thanks Scott"

"Pros: Scheduling went well. The team is friendly. Clean up was very good. Cons: Expensive Poor quality timbers making a less than high quality appearance. Timbers near garage were installed about 5 inches off design in an area that needs clearance to bring lawnmower through. The mistake was made after agreement with Brian & and after Brian had dug an obvious trench where the wall was supposed to be. One of the new arbor vitae had to be moved because of the misplaced wall. No dirt berm around trees and plants on hill. I ended up berming the areas around each tree/plant myself. One of the plants was covered by the fabric - we had to inform them and find the plant. Conclusion: Environmental Design was one of the most expensive of the 5 quotes we received. We expected better quality and less stress when we pay for more expensive service. We should have inspected all raw materials (I would have rejected many of the timbers) and watched every step."