OHIO VALLEY GROUP

.....

It started good, they came with design help and ideas and came back with a drawing, only one option was given and no further drawings after that, we were under the impression there would be more options. We did make some minor changes to the plan and felt confident in the design of a two level patio with a border and stone steps and flagstone walkway. We were also very pleased with the design of the mulch beds and plantings. There were only two minor concerns; 1 was a small tree that I was worried would get in the way of the view and the other was the idea of the grill floating at the edge of the patio. Andrew assured us it would look good and we went along. The tree turned out great but I have to come up with another option for the grill (I don't like the looks of it just sitting at the edge of a curved section no less). Everything was going well then concrete was poured and it was not good. Somewhere along the line it was decided that the two level would now be one level. There was no border where we wanted in back and we were told it was too late to add it however, there was a guy going around the entire perimeter with a hand trowel. That hand trowel did create different textures in the concrete between the perimeter and the inner portion, all the way around. There is a step down onto a half circle landing, that landing was very obviously out of round (we pointed this out before they poured) and a spot about 12 inches long on the step crumbled. There are several spots of stamp overlay onto the border, concrete splashed all over house, plus dirty hand prints on white trim. We also had a broken pathway stone and abnormal step pacing on half the walkway. They did come back and fixed pathway, attempted to fix crumbled step and attempted to scrub concrete splash off the one year old house paint. I was pleased with most things and accepted the repair of the crumbled step but there was no possible way to fix the out of round or the different textures of the concrete without tearing up and re-pouring. The splash on the house didn't come off and the only way to fix would be to repaint basically the bottom three feet of the entire back of the house. However, we didn't want to keep the project going and felt that eventually we might not notice these flaws that looked so major at the moment. (they still look like major flaws) We paid 30% up front and at the halfway point 50% of the remaining but they would not offer anything more than $500 discount for major concrete flaws that would require tear out and re-pour to fix, and refused to come back until we paid in full. Andy, the owner, (not the same as Andrew, our salesman) called and threatened me a with lawyer and a lien on my house, even though they hadn't finished the job. He was rude and insulting, and finally refused to finish the job period. After some legal consult it turns out there were multiple contractual requirements by law not followed including a breakdown of pricing (he tried to offer $180 discount for not sealing, however, multiple quotes were $500-1000 for this job) and the fact that the concrete work was being sub-contracted to another company. We sent in final payment less what we thought was fair based on the advice of our lawyer. When we hired someone else to come and finish their job, we then discovered the 2 steps (the two level plan had 3 "stone steps" and we had to point out that there was no discount for the additional step that we did not get, another place where the pricing breakdown would have helped) that were sold to us represented as stone are actually fake concrete "stones" and playground mulch was just old mulch moved from the original patio site including lot of mud. One final note, we wanted this completed by a specific date that we were clear about from the very beginning and were told that it would be completed pending weather issues. This was not the case, the weather was fine but workers showed up most days around 9 am and left each day at 3 pm including the day it was supposed to be completed. I would push forward with legal action but my wife doesn't want the hassle

unknown

The two man crew showed up on time. They began removing the indicated plants and installing the new ones. They spread the mulch and cleaned up the grass and concrete areas before they left. Project took about 6 hours.

.

unknown

I got all perturbed with them in the fall for the lease pickup because they didn't pick them up until right before Christmas and by that time the lease was frozen to the ground and so it took about three times as long they had originally estimated. It was over $2000 when they had estimated which was about $700 or maybe $500 so that's why I stopped using them, I was please with them up until then as a mowing service and spring clean up. They were responding all the time until it came to the lease pick up. I don't know many times I called about that. When it came to mowing, they were here when they said they were going to be. I would use them for mowing but not for a special job.

During the digging to remove the largest shrub, the installer ran into the water line for that zone's irrigation system and caused a leak in the hose.  This was discovered on Friday during the removal stage.  He thought he had brought the necessary pieces to complete a repair on Monday but quickly realized the older hose did not match the spare pieces he'd brought.  They completed the installation of all the new plants, deposited enough mulch to cover the incomplete area, and he returned in early evening after securing the right parts.  Completed the repair, tested the sprinkler zone, installed the last of the plants (which was the largest of the new shrubs), and spread the mulch over this remaining area. 
All was left very clean.  I had no debris to pick up.  While they were here, they lopped off 3 smaller branches from 2 trees for me, and also fixed a piece of edging at the paver bricks at deck steps so it was no longer a safety hazard.  
I will use this company again for my next project.  The owner of the company personally visited to work up an estimate for me.  Took the time to describe the various plants I had (just bought this house in December).   The team leader was very knowledgeable about the aspects of the various plants, pruning, watering, etc.   The assistant worked steadily with close attention to detail and neatness.  Both wanted to know if I was pleased with the outcome of the work and the plants. 
This company was recommended by neighbors and long-standing clients of The Ohio Valley Group. 

The owner is very attentive to your needs, comes out to your house and does a thorough review of your needs.  They are very timely in their recommendations.  They are very reliable and leave the job site very clean.  I have used them for years.

We had another service which was not doing a good job. Ohio valley was slightly more expensive but they are more than worth it. They have done everything that I have asked them to do promptly and professionally. Our yard looks so much better. I also feel that will listen to my ideas and help in the future with any changes we might want to make.

Ohio Valley Group was an excellent company to work with, Their employees were all creative and energetic, really felt that they each treated the project as it it was their own house. Pleasure to deal with, great ideas... Entire process was a huge project from the design to rough in, to finished details. Ohio Valley was able to handle all aspects of each job with their own crews. We created an entire outdoor backyard and living area. Just plain AWESOME !!

I am the reviewer who rated this company a D (back in 2011). Although The Ohio Valley Group and I has major disagreements regarding our job, we have been able to come to a reasonable resolution. The staff and crew of OVG were pleasant, reliable and hard working. This fact combined with Ohio Valley Group's willingness to resolve the matter in a professional manner has made what had been a difficult experience much better. Hence I am amending my rating

They're very good. The people who came out were very courteous. They made sure that we know they are there and what they're doing.

They are excellent. The condo did not hire him for spring and summer work so we got some crab grass which was not his fault. So they came out to evaluate it and do a follow up. His prices are good.

Lawn service was just OK, snow plowing was awful. Changed to another company.

The yard looked fine, but nothing exceptional and not worth the price. This year my husband applied weed and feed and the yard looks the same. Towards the end of summer, the yard started getting weeds. Ohio Valley does offer to come out for specific weed issues, but it just didn't seem worth it and I figured they would tell me that my particular weed issue isn't covered. They were exceptionally quick however to bill. Very next day we'd get the bill for that application and sometimes we'd get another reminder a few days later. Good grief!

They are on top of it and are very efficient, I love the head guy, Mike. They guy that leads the lawn crew, Don, is such a gentle man. It is nice to have clean cut guys working on your lawn. They are extremely thorough and meticulous. They want to do everything to please the customer. I have worked several lawn and yard maintenance companies, and by far, Ohio Valley Group is by far the best.

They do a great job. The person in charge is a very professional and friendly guy.

Their price is little high. I would give them an A on my overall experience with them. I would use them in the future.

We found them on Angie's List and we liked them a lot. They came out really quickly. He was a very nice guy and responded quickly to my phone call. They came out a couple of weeks later and did all the work for us. We actually had them come again and do some work at our company offices too.

They are so efficient and accommodating. They are very responsive and return phone calls very quickly. Because of the time of the reseeding, the lawn didn't come up right (it was in no way their fault). They have been out so many times to fix it. They are absolutely standing behind their guarantee. They have an excellent attitude and are always so polite and professional. They are the best company I have ever had do anything for me. I highly recommend them.

We spent over $30,000.00 with this company,discovered major issues with their work after completion, THEN, they told us that in the fine print of the contract we signed it states that they give no guarantees of their work. Yet prior to hiring Ohio Valley Group to create the garden beds and lawn areas at our new construction home, I had numerous discussions with Terry Reis, OV Sales rep and In every discussion I stressed my requirement that the most important part of any garden project was superior soil preparation. I articulated my expectation that this be done as part of the job and that I was fully aware that this requirement would be more costly to me. Terry assured me that this would be done. I also stressed to Terry that I love to work in the garden and my expectation was that I would be able to do this with average or less than average muscle because the beds would be prepared optimally and contain well amended soil. Terry assured me that I would have no problem. Turns out it was not. When I received the estimates from Ohio Valley, I presumed that the superior ground and soil preparation was included in the pricing because Ohio Valley’s pricing was anywhere from 50% to 100% higher than the usual customary rate for the work. I contracted with Ohio Valley because I was repeatedly assured by Terry Reis that Ohio Valley: 1. Did superior work
2. Guaranteed and stood behind their work
Work was completed mid-October, 2010. Prior to winter, the grass had not grown, nor was even close to needing to be cut. No mowing was done. Furthermore, I was directed by the Ohio Valley team NOT to walk on the lawn, and I followed their instructions. I watered the lawn as directed without walking on it because the crew from Ohio Valley and set up the sprinklers and attached the water hoses to them. All I had to do was turn the water on at the faucet. For this reason, I could not and did not have the ability to examine the lawn or see the rocks that were present. I did notice that the front yard swale was not draining properly, and brought this to Terry Reis’s attention. Terry’s response was that this would improve when the ground had settled and the grass took hold. Contrary to Terry’s assurance, the swale never improved. I also contracted for 2011 work based on the work ethic of the workers and my assumption that my requirement that the soil was optimally prepared. In Spring, 2011 I raised the following concerns: 1.The front yard swale was not draining properly 2.The grass was not growing 3. I tried to plant a shrub in the front bed and hit a huge amount of clay. Terry assured me that the swale would be corrected and that the grass and beds would improve as Spring progressed. On May 5, 2011, I informed Ohio Valley in writing that I would not authorize any further work until the swail and beds were corrected.It rained almost every day in April and May, 2011. In spite of this, the grass did not grow. In fact, I was not able to cut the grass for the first time until Memorial Day. With the amount of rain we had in April and May, the lawn should have grown significantly. The fact that it did not was my first clue that something was wrong. It was at that point that I examined the lawn more closely. What I found was The lawn had major areas of no grass and a lot of stones and rocks (see photos attached in this report),The lawn had major areas where no top soil was visible I brought this to Ohio Valley's attention I was assured that this was normal and the grass would fill in. Because of the problems with the swale and the beds, I decided to obtain independent evaluations of the lawn just to confirm Terry’s assessment: I have met with 5 lawn installation companies. They have measured and examined the lawn and UNANIMOUSLY concluded: The reason the stones and rocks are visible is because the foundation was not prepared correctly and not enough top soil, or poor quality topsoil was applied to the base. Some areas of the lawn do have about and frac14;” of topsoil showing, but most areas have none. Most of the lawn has little or no topsoil -only rocks and stones are growing and visible. Grass will not grown well on rocks and stones.The lawn has to be either be torn out and redone or have several years of plug aeration followed by a heavy application of compost and topsoil and reseeding In short - The lawn was not installed correctly! and middot;I have substantiated these companies opinions with multiple sources on the web Summary of Issues 1. :Front Swale Had to be redone in June, 2011 after repeated pleadings. able to fully evaluate until the grass grows in and the area matures. 2.Bed Repair:The front beds and one of the side beds were slightly amended with incomplete bedding mix . Very little tilling was done to incorporate this into the soil. The West side bed and the north beds adjacent to the house were not amended as promised. 3.Spring Clean-up: was charged $1800.00 for Spring 2011 Cleanup taht I did NOT authorize. 4Mulching: Charged $1200 for 8 yards of mulch which was done INCORRECTLY! 5. Lawn: Job done was extremely poor and completely unacceptable. Most areas show no topsoil. Those areas that do show topsoil show only about and frac14;” which is far below the minimum 4” required for a good lawn job. Stones and rocks are throughout the lawn because the soil was not prepared correctly. As of today, July 1, 2011,there is little grass, lots of weeds, rocks and stones. Grass only requires cutting every 2-3 weeks. Ohio Valley now says that the reason for the lawn issue is because I did not allow them to charge me even more money to apply a 2nd application of fertilizer. Had I done this, the grass would be fine. HOW ABSURD!!!!! They also told my husband and me that in the and quot;fine print of their contractand quot; they do not guarantee their work. Before I paid them more than $30,000.00 they assured me they stood behind their work completely. Bottom Line: I would RUN from using this company!

The work was very good from start to finish. The work went for one full day from afternoon to morning. They were very professional. They introduced themselves. They did what was expected and little more. Everything came out very well. The price was little bit high and I got what I paid for. I didn't get any prior notice that they were going to come on a particular day. They send the contract in less than 10 days before they showed up and that was pretty good.

Pretty good, I thought the price was a little high for all they did but work was done well, on time and cleaned up afterwards

They are top notch. They are gentlemen and are eager to please. They just do great work and are very accommodating to your requests.