MCGILL'S LANDSCAPING

Our family of 3 moved to Elkhorn, NE from Iowa this summer, purchasing a nearly completed home in a newer subdivision.  McGill Landscaping is the company the builder uses on most of his homes.  Brian McGill and I met in May prior to our move in mid-June to discuss what types of plants/trees we were interested in as well as outlines of flower beds and location of trees.

Brian McGill designed a simple landscape plan for our home; I approved with minor changes.  Some of the landscaping was completed and I was immediately billed for the entire job, despite some plants not being planted.  Voicemail messages were not returned by Brian and responses to emails were slow by his wife Rochelle. 

After moving to Elkhorn and several phone calls/text messages and emails, Brian's wife Rochelle offered to meet me at their wholesaler to possibly locate alternative plants. It was finally communicated to me that their wholesaler didn't have the hydrangeas or dianthus I was looking for in stock; Rochelle did say that McGill Landscaping does have a second wholesale landscaping company from which they purchase plants but it is located an hour away.  So within a couple of hours of finding this out, on my first visit to a local plant nursery, I was able locate the plants that I specifically wanted in the front beds; paid retail price and hauled them back to the house.  Couldn't McGill Landscaping not have done this?

Additionally, Rochelle and I met at the house to go over the landscape plan with her marking specific plants that needed to be moved, the shapes of a couple of the beds needed to be changed as the landscape plan wasn't followed, rocks used for decoration were not placed as planned and several bushes were planted too close to the house. 

I communicated to Rochelle via email and in person that our family would be traveling out of state beginning 7/3-11 and that I wanted the additional plants/changes made prior to leaving so I could be present when the work was done and that proper watering took place.  Rochelle scheduled a crew to come out two days prior to our travel and this appointment was changed once again to occur after we left town.  I was assured that all plants would be adequately watered but several plants (two large hydrangeas I purchased at retail priced) died.

Billing:  I refused to pay until the work was completed, despite receiving several bills during this process the following errors were found:

1. one bill overcharged for an additional 6 perennials

2. the price of the same perennials increased from the first bill to the second bill.

3. on the final bill, I was not charged for three bushes. 

Plant Quality: 

• 1. The original blue spruce tree planted in the back yard was drooping when planted; I was assured it would perk up.  Brian said he'd spray it for mites and despite adequate watering, the tree was not thriving.  I had to insist that the tree be replaced. 
• 2, I had to insist the trees in the front yard be staked to ensure they didn't lean over time due to high winds (one was already leaning).
• 3.  Bushes and perennials were extremely small in size as compared to plants in same sized pots at Lowes and the local nursery from which I purchased two hydrangeas and six dianthus.

Price:

McGill Landscaping offers the option to not insure trees/plants, which makes their landscaping estimate seem like you're getting a good deal.  After seeing first-hand the quality of the plants as well as installation, we were overcharged.

Quality of Service:

1. Poor communication.

2. Lack of customer service.

3. Doesn't ensure quality installation is accomplished. 

For any future landscaping efforts, our family will be using a different landscaping company.  I do NOT recommend McGill Landscaping for ANY landscaping needs.

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McGill was the only company to return my calls promptly.   Brian kept me informed of any problems that came up and one specifically that made grading my backyard difficult wi th more large rock than initially planned and budgeted for.  It took longer to complete but he didn't add more labor cost to original estimate.   Was a great company to do business with and he wants to keep the customer happy.  Will definately use again.  Very ethical and honest.

Excellent work. Done on time. Quotes were accurate and very competitive. Easy to work with.

I have always been very impressed with McGill's Lawn & Landscape. He is very hard working and professional. He is very polite and personable. My lawn always looks great. This year he agreed to clean my gutters for an extra fee. He got the gutters very clean and told me that I may have a couple that will need some replacement in a couple of years. I am very pleased with all of the work that he has done for me.