ZARETSKY & ASSOCIATES INC

Fine - all done in 5 days.

unknown

by We began working with Bruce Zaretsky in the spring of 2013, when he visited our home several times to: (1) discuss our landscaping interests (he gave us a written survey to fill out in advance, which really helped us set priorities and decide what kinds of landscaping designs might be right for us); (2) survey our property, discuss our survey with us, and show us sample designs; and (3) present us with a comprehensive landscape design, along with a budget and timeline for completion. After the third step, we decided we wanted to spend a bit less on the landscaping work than originally budgeted; Bruce adapted the design to our new specifications quickly and without trepidation, and we hired him to complete the work on the front side of the house (which involved tearing out existing plantings, beds, and front pathway; rebuilding the front pathway and installing new beds and plantings; and installing lighting and necessary hardware in the beds and along the pathway). Throughout the process, Bruce communicated a clear, consistent vision for our landscaping and checked to make sure that vision was consistent with our interests. (We're the kinds of customers who began the conversation with him by saying, and quot;We have no strong preferences; our landscaping is your canvas,and quot; then gradually added constraints and considerations along the way. He seemed to have no problems with that.)
In mid-October of 2013 (about six months after we gave Bruce a deposit for the work, so plan accordingly), he and his crew began the landscape renovation. The work took about four days - a day of demo and prep work; a day of pathway installation; and two days of bed preparation, planting and lighting installation, and mulching. Plantings included a boxwood garden; 40+ gallons of hako grasses; several hydrangeas; Japanese maples; astilbe; creeping phlox; Rozanne geranium; and butterfly weed. Conscious of waste and cost, we asked Bruce and crew to preserve as many of our existing walkway pavers as possible. They did so, and integrated a few new pavers of the exact same type to create an attractive, new sweeping walkway. Additional hardscape included a slate stone pathway to the backyard and a couple of rock features amidst the plantings.
Because the work was finished in October, some of the plantings already had gone dormant for the fall. Given that circumstance and our concern about the effects of a harsh winter (which it certainly was), we made sure that Bruce and his crew were willing and able to address any landscaping that did not weather the seasons well. In the spring, he returned to our home to replace a defective bulb. In the early summer, he and his crew came back to replace several hako grasses and geraniums that were destroyed over the winter, and to ensure that everything else was growing according to plan. He also advised on maintenance and checked on the lights and wiring.
Bruce and crew were very cautious with set-up and clean-up, and further, he and his partner, Sharon, have responded to all of our e-mail and telephone questions quickly and courteously. We believe the high quality and attentive customer service have been well worth the cost of the project. Further, we strongly support the community service Zaretsky and Associates conduct through Project Scion, their program for building public gardens and parks on abandoned properties in the city of Rochester. In short, we've been really impressed with Zaretsky and Associates' work and professionalism.

Bruce and his construction crews were a pleasure to work with. His original design was very extensive, and much more than we wanted or could afford. He and I sat down and scaled it back. Looking at it today, it is truly magnificent - elegant and classy. The men who did the work were a pleasure to work with- on time, friendly, neat - both personally (no lunch trash, etc.) and with their materials. They cleaned up our driveway daily in the initial stages. Bruce came every morning to touch base and give them direction. He was quick to respond to any phone calls or questions from me, and I had several during the process. He has done work for us before, and for this major job, I knew I wanted him to do the work. The quality of construction and materials is tops. He started within a week of his original estimated start time, which was very appreciated. He is a top level and highly skilled professional, as was the foreman of the crew on our site.

Bruce and his construction crews were a pleasure to work with. His original design was very extensive, and much more than we wanted or could afford. He and I sat down and scaled it back. Looking at it today, it is truly magnificent - elegant and classy. The men who did the work were a pleasure to work with- on time, friendly, neat - both personally (no lunch trash, etc.) and with their materials. They cleaned up our driveway daily in the initial stages. Bruce came every morning to touch base and give them direction. He was quick to respond to any phone calls or questions from me, and I had several during the process. He has done work for us before, and for this major job, I knew I wanted him to do the work. The quality of construction and materials is tops. He started within a week of his original estimated start time, which was very appreciated. He is a top level and highly skilled professional, as was the foreman of the crew on our site.

Bruce Zaretsky Landscaping has been very supportive to what I had in mind for the design. They also are very informative and knowledgeable. I anticipate the design we came up with will really be beautiful. I have been very impressed so far.