Landscape Charlie

Landscape Charlie was recommended to us by some builders that we highly trust. The owner, Charlie Kraemer, is involved from day 1 with ideas all the way to final plant being put in. His design was something we had trouble visualizing so he followed up with more drawings and pictures. He stayed within our budget the entire way and would let us know if our additional ideas would take things over our agreement - no surprises. What sets Landscape Charlie apart from others we have worked with in the past is the constant communication and the professionalism of his entire crew. Communication: If his original schedule was adjusted he let us know. Our project was never left for a day or two and we felt that our project was the priority of his company. His crew worked hard, answered all my questions, and every night they cleaned up our backyard best possible so we did not have to look at a construction site during evening hours. Seems small, but with a dog and kids, having your yard usable to a point without worry was appreciated. One last item. After a few weeks of completion I was doing fall clean up and decided to use the mower to mulch leaves in a place I should not have. My mistake as I snipped the lighting cable that was buried. I left Charlie a text Sunday night letting him know that I screwed up and that we were counting on the lighting as part of Halloween decor throughout our yard (Halloween is big deal here). The next morning I look out and there is Charlie fixing the issue and charged me nothing. He knew we were in a bind and made it happen. This is my first Angie's List review because I expect quality service to be part of any process, but trust me when I say, Landscape Charlie goes above and beyond even the greatest expectations.

Charlie and his crew did a fantastic job! They were very professional in their manner and the high-quality results were exactly what we wanted. Charlie is an excellent listener, prompt in his responses, and also good at giving suggestions/ideas that were appropriate for what was needed. We were unsure of the edging and we have been delighted with the Chilton stone edge he suggested. He has an excellent knowledge base of plants/flowers/shrubs. You can tell that Charlie has a passion for his work which benefits his customers greatly. We had been concerned about water drainage and Charlie and his crew put in a drainage swale that solves the problem. We are also very happy with the flagstone path and the way it was designed. After installation, Charlie and his crew cleaned up the lawn and left it without a trace of debris. Later we had a question about a small tree that had been planted and Charlie returned our call immediately. His prompt and professional service and attention to detail along with reasonable pricing make it easy to recommend Landscape Charlie and his crew! We will definitely hire them again!!

Awesome work! Charlie is great. We have a large yard for an urban lot, but much of it was taken up by an unsightly bean-shaped gravel pit with rocks too large to walk on (for us and our dog). It took up about 1/5 of the space in our yard and we wanted that space back! Charlie came by one morning and took a look at it and discussed design options with us. We had a very detailed vision of pavers surrounded by fine gravel for a modern look without hurting the yew trees already in the area. We had a limited budget and limited time (it being August), but Charlie worked with us and put together a design within our needs. Most importantly, unlike many landscapers we quoted with, Charlie really seemed to understand our vision, and was on board to make it happen. He set a date and showed up on time with a crew to remove the rocks and grass and get to work. They worked incredibly quickly--I wish I had recorded a time-lapse video because it was hard to believe how fast the space was transformed. In two days, the whole job was done, and exactly how we wanted it! Charlie even went as far as to suggest some fun lighting options and possible landscape projects for the future (if we wanted to). If we did, I'd use Charlie again. Great work! Thanks!

Charlie is fantastic. This is the second time we've used his company. He responds promptly and comes up with creative solutions to problems. We had some issues with some of the pavers in the hands aping and he came out right away and fixed them himself. The new landscaping is beautiful!

unknown

Great experience all around. Charlie proposed some options for the project and gave time to discuss them in detail. Performed the work quickly and followed up after completion. I'd strongly recommend him!

We reached out to 3 contractors to bid this project. The first, promised to get back to us in 2 weeks and we didn't hear back for almost 4. The second had great ideas and a large estimate to go along with it. The 3rd was Charlie.
We really liked working with him from start to finish. Especially because when he promised something, it was delivered. He came for a walk through to discuss what we wanted done, then promised a bid within a time frame (I can’t remember how long it took, maybe 4-5 days) and he delivered within it. He listened to what we wanted and gave us 3 concept sketches with 3 total estimates (no details). The concepts were not to scale but did give us a jumping off point for discussions. Then we narrowed it down to one and made some changes with him over the phone.
After our call, he sent a detailed bid with a more detailed concept sketch. The detailed bid we received had the same price tag as the first concept sketch we selected except for the additions and changes we made during that call. We never got a scale landscape plan/drawing but what we discussed with him was exactly what was installed. He also stopped for another 30 minute meeting at our house and brought several wall stone, patio paver, and edging materials so we could make selections for our project.
We discussed a start date and I know that with landscaping, that can vary with the weather etc., but he called the night before to confirm the start date and his crew showed up to start right on schedule. His crew was efficient and seemed to know what they were doing. They showed up, unloaded, laid down plywood to protect our existing grass and starting tearing out the sidewalk and landscaping. They worked well together and just got it done. The tear down was done within a few hours. Charlie arrived mid morning and did a walk through with me to be sure that we were on the same page with layout and placement.
They really seemed to know what they were doing with wall and paver installations, they excavated, then filled with course rock, compacted, made changes, evened it out, checked the slope, re-compacted, etc., etc. until it was right. The level and other tools were referenced again and again as the project went on which was very reassuring to me. The wall went up, the pavers went down and the landscaping went in. Charlie was in and out of the work site, but seemed always be there when he was needed. And he was there when the pavers were being laid out to be sure that they were right. I need to ask the crew a couple questions when he wasn’t around and they were really nice, helpful, and they listened and responded to what I needed. Every night the site was cleaned and everything left neatly for the next day.
Charlie also noticed that the very last piece of our concrete garage apron concrete nearest to the new landscaping had settled, he offered to lift and re-grade under it so that it would be level with the driveway and the new landscaping. It only took a couple of minutes for his crew with all the right tools on hand, but it would have been a big deal for us to deal with that separately and we really appreciated it.
The bid included an allowance for planting and Charlie and I discussed selections on site, very informally, and he laid out and planted according to what we discussed. I wanted to save the hostas we had in our old landscape and he saved, split, and replanted them in the new landscaping. Some lighting went into the wall, but the remainder went in very last, and I am so glad we added it. It was well worth the cost and really shows off the new project really well.
Overall, he was great to work with, delivered what he said he would, and did a great job. We are really happy with the end result and would hire him again without hesitation.

We have used Charlie for projects for the past several years (paver sidewalk, paver driveway, landscaping, mulch, excavation, etc.). Charlie and his team have always provided excellent service and products. We continue to use Charlie each year for the projects we have. He has an excellent eye for design and has transformed our property.

Very well and all the shrubs are still thriving 12 months later!

Estimate / Deal:
- Charlie was a good communicator.
- Price was on par but low for the level of quality work.
Charlie built probably about 120ft of 4ft boulder wall in two tiers. Charlie himself placed probably 75% of the boulders. I call him the boulder wisperer, he's very good at it, providing the right balance of structural support with asthetic appeal. He granted my request to have it look authentic, not too perfect. You could tell he was experienced, I don't expect any issues with frost, etc.
Charlie's team was very professional, very hard working. As the homeowner, my curiousity was in his way most of the time, he handled this very well. Not slowing down, but not ignoring me either.
There was one issue where a piece of equipment touched an area which wasn't planned. Charlie's team fixed it perfectly / smartly.
Mid-project we ran into some older stones we were going to reuse from the yard (he's pragmatic that way), which wasn't going to work out, he texted me a picture of an alternative method for my approval and the project carried on.
I really appreciate that even though there was at least 30 tons of boulder and 80 yards of dirt/fill, that each day he left the yard, driveway, and street as if he hadn't been there.
Highly recommend the people and work at a fair price.

The project was on schedule the entire time!

Charlie and his team did an amazing job! This was my first job working with a contractor because I've always been nervous about being taken advantage of. Charlie could not have been easier to work with. He was exceedingly prompt in creating the design, and in every communication thereafter. He arrived at my house exactly when he said he would, every time.
Charlie did an initial walkthrough with me to hear what I was looking for, asking lots of questions about what things were important to me and what my ultimate goals were for the area. Then he quickly came up with a fantastic design including things I had never considered. He was very open to my ideas or questions about his design ideas. I loved how he jumped into creating solutions to design or functionality questions with excitement... I ended up having a lot of fun working with him on the design process!
The actual work was done quickly and efficiently. His team was friendly and respectful. They did a terrific job of cleaning up and leaving the property exactly as it was when they arrived. Charlie would check in with me often by email or phone to make sure that the work was up to my expectations. He even sent me pictures while the pavers were going in so that I could see the progress, since I couldn't be home that day. Even though my project did not include plantings, Charlie went out of his way to help me make choices about what to plant in the new berms. He gave suggestions and recommendations and answered all of my questions with regard to planting, which is something I didn't expect given that I didn't pay for that as a part of the plans.
In all, this was a fairly small job by landscaping standards, but Charlie never made me feel like it was less important than any other job.
I had my work done late in the season, and I cannot wait for next summer to arrive so that I can really enjoy it! My original plan was simply to replace my cracked concrete slab with a paver patio, but Charlie has transformed my backyard into a mini oasis instead!!

Awesome....couldn't be better.