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Outside Insight

Outdoor Lighting - Plan and Install, Outdoor Lighting Repair, Concrete Driveways & Floors - Install,

About us

Award winning. We are a very high quality oriented Design/Build company creating outdoor living spaces for over 18 years. We strive to develop strong relations with our clientele, with attention to detail and communication. With over 40 years of combined experience. Visit us www.Facebook.com/OutsideInsight www.pinterest.com/cincyscapes www.twitter.com/cincyscapes

Business highlights

Emergency services offered
17 years of experience

Services we offer

& Fencing., Decks, Design & Construction, Drainage, Fire Pits, Fireplaces, Grading, Landscape Lighting, Masonry, Natural Stone, Pavers, Pergolas, Planting, Retaining Walls, Seasonal Clean-Ups, Seeding, Sodding, Water Features, Wood Structures

Amenities

Emergency Services

Yes

Free Estimates

Yes

Accepted Payment Methods

  • CreditCard
Reviews
4.892 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
90%
4
4%
3
0%
2
2%
1
3%
Showing 1-25 of 92 reviews
James C.
Oct 2019
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Outside Insight did a great job. Scott worked hard to stay within our budget and meet our requests. We ended up out of budget, but that was our decision and Scott provided outstanding ideas for our project. His workers were courteous and pros in their job. They were very attentive to detail. We have beautiful patio and would hire again.

Jonathan B.
Nov 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$5,000
It was great. They were on time, responsive and professional.

Dean J.
Oct 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
I think they did a wonderful job. Their attention to detail was very good. The end result was better than what I had anticipated. I have nothing bad to say about them.

Maxine R.
Oct 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
The service was very well, it was very good. called them and came in a week, the celaned and put things away

Jay A.
Oct 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
They did a phenomenal job and we would highly recommend them.

Rick B.
Oct 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
They did a great job and they stood behind their work. We would hire them again.

Janet B.
Oct 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
They did a very good job. We would hire them again.

Ann B.
Oct 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
So far, they have done a great job. We will be getting plants in soon.

Chris D.
Oct 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,700
They always do an outstanding job, they always give a reasonable price and high quality work. and very timely and dependable.

Mark H.
Aug 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$19,500
Scott and his team were fantastic from start to finish, they scheduled in around my constraints, worked diligently throughout and left with a fantastic end product. They use high quality materials and provide options and suggestions to achieve the desired results. Would 100% recommend them.

Todd S.
May 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,591
It went well. We had some confusion over what result would actually look like, but we sorted that out. We had a small wall put around the island in our yard. We also had a island put in around the mailbox. This piece included stone pavers around the curb and yard to define the island, large pebbles by the mailbox for accent. New topsoil, mulch, and 3 spirea shrubs were also put in place. The end result looks great, my wife and I really like the style and finish of the changes.

Eli L.
May 2018
4.0
$5,000
Very professional crew. Great results. Only complaint, there was some damage to the electric by the crew, we were charged for the repairs.
Response from Outside Insight
"The [Member Name Removed]'s were great to work for and we enjoyed working for them. They are correct that the electric line that was feeding the lamppost was hit. Unfortunately, the electric line was only in the ground 5 inches deep, which is not to code. We test dug the line to test the depth and it was deep at the house. The tiller caught the line with the tines, so it had to be replaced. The client was charged at COST to replace the electric line, as we couldn't hold responsibility for something that they knew wasn't covered, as stated in the contract obligation of which they signed. Someone else removed trees and ground stumps. The stump grinding tore up the control wires for the irrigation system. We spent time locating the wires. We also ran new wire and buried the wire. We left an area open for the wire tap at the sidewalk where the irrigation company came to repair it. We didn't want an irrigation technician and an electrician to come in and mess up the grade and mulch of the beds after we finished, so we found it important to do the repairs while on site before finishing. This was not our obligation to do this, but felt we needed to take care of our customer. So it was easier to give them the labor and cost of the irrigation wire. The electric line was due to an electrician stopping by to install the connection. It's unfortunate that this customer did not see that we went above and beyond our initial obligation to not repair but to ensure this was done to code and only charged the customer for materials."

Diane G.
Feb 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Fantastic. The workers were knowledgeable, very polite and knew what they were doing. Great reliable service.

Brian N.
Feb 2018
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
We were impressed with Scott and his team from initial consult through design through installation. Post project, Scott has been great to answer questions and address small follow-ups, always in quick fashion. The landscape install looked great the day after planting, and over the years, has filled in to look even better. There is year-round visual interest and the design has high impact, but with low upkeep and maintenance demands. It's the best of everything. Scott and his crew are true professionals. Communication was clear, the project was on time, and there were no surprises with costs. We'd highly recommend Scott and his company for your landscape needs.

Larry B.
Nov 2017
2.0
$1,400
Purchased $920 Angie's List coupon, Scott came out 3 different times to get idea about project. Seemed to be unsure how much he could get done in allowed contract time. Eventually showed up on same day we were out of town and having driveway resealed, so some of the work was not done due to "access problems" and we weren't here to observe the work or supervise. He said they had done everything I'd requested and would only come back to place mulch in the designated areas. I asked about other requested items and he invoiced that at $825. We finally settled on mulch and the replacement pines for $480, so I was out $1400 for 2 pines, clean-up, and some mulching. I should have gone back to Cotras for my clean-up!
Response from Outside Insight
"Mr. [Member Name Removed], in fact, did purchase a Big Deal coupon for $920.00 for 16 hours of labor. This breaks down to two men for 8 hours, of which includes drive time. Our client needed the entire yard reworked and maintained. I made three visits to discuss with the client his work and his distrust in our ability showed in his constant request for more meetings. I have been in this business for over 22 years and do not need to do this, but felt he needed reassurance. It was my job to evaluate the most important tasks needed to accomplish and associate hours to the tasks at hand. In this field, there are many variables that come into play. The client knew the job was going to be a spontaneous project, and would be used as a 'filler' work in our schedule. Once an agreement was made, we showed up on a morning to find that the driveway was seal coated and roped off. Because the residence is on a hillside, we could not get access to the main yard. This caused a second trip, of which we took the loss. It doesn't make sense why someone would have the driveway work done before the yard work commenced and we were not informed that the driveway sealing work was going to be done. Trucks and trailers are hard enough on driveways. So, upon return, after an agreement beyond the original contract, the client requested new plants, soil and mulch. We corrected the garden beds' grade with soil before mulching. Two larger, overgrown evergreens at the front entry were replaced with 3 'Graham Blandy' shrubs which were expensive to purchase. Basically, the client expected the world, we were already over in hours and installed pine straw in the back all at no additional cost. We rate this client a "D" for not considering the timing schedule of work to be completed, did not inform us that the driveway was scheduled to be sealed, and the inability of our crew to therefore have access to the yard. He received above and beyond the agreed upon price by our company."

Dean J.
Sep 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Extremely well. Scott and his crew were great to work with and the quality of the work was beyond my expectation. Scott's attention to detail and in communicating with us about what was going to be done and when it was going to be done couldn't have been better. I couldn't be happier with the end product. Scott even worked with the landscaper with some issues that had to be overcome.

Michael B.
Sep 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$30,000
Scott and his team did a great job through all phases of the project. The initial consultation provided us with helpful strategies for the design and function of the project. Scott's expertise related to drainage and design was invaluable. As with any large-scale project, there were some surprises and adjustments to be made and Scott was very responsive during the entire process. I would definitely recommend Outside Insight for any landscaping or hard scape project.

Maxine R.
Aug 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Great job.
Response from Outside Insight
"Thank you for your glowing review. We hope you keep us in mind for future projects."

Greg J.
Jul 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
After discussing the project with numerous companies, it was clear Scott at Outside Insight was the best fit for the project. Most important was his honesty, as he didn't just tell me what he thought I wanted to hear. He supplemented my ideas with many of his own that he knew would better serve what I wanted. Additionally, Scott and his crew started and finished when he said they would, also a huge plus! Unlike many other owner/operators, Scott arrived at least once a day to make sure the project was going as planned, and to offer his labor as well. It's clear he imparted his knowledge on his crew, as they worked diligently and professionally. The finished area exceeded our expectations...it's just an awesome space! Best experience ever with a landscape company, and it isn't even close! Already planning to use them in the future for other hardscape/landscape projects.

Eric E.
Jun 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Scott did an excellent job! He timely responded to our texts and emails, he provided great service at a more than fair price, he was eager to do the work, and although he just finished last week the walkway and steps look as though they will last a long time without cracking or shifting. We would definitely hire him again!

Lynne L.
Apr 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$18,000
It went well

John C.
Jan 2017
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
unknown

Steve M.
Nov 2016
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$6,000
All of my expectations were exceeded, they were responsive and when things got ugly they really rose to the occasion- the care and pride in their work was gratifying, and they did a lot of detail work that I never expected, including ripping out my old skimmer, and running my lines under the patio.. (in a very clever solution) I couldn't be happier- they were crazy thorough and finished within my budget.

SHEILA R.
Aug 2016
2.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$9,000
This is an update to a previous review for services performed earlier this year. My original request was to prevent mud from draining onto my driveway from the yard, Scott came up with a plan and we went for it. About a month after he was done and we had a heavy rain, I had mud on my driveway again. I contacted him and his first reply was that I needed to put down mulch. I had assumed that if mulch was what I needed to solve the problem I had presented to him,he would have done that. I keep notifying him of the continued problem and he has "all intentions on doing about it". Nothing has been done. I am now very unhappy with his work, will not use him again. I feel that I spent $9000.00 unwisely and did not get what I thought I was paying for.
Response from Outside Insight
"The customer hired us primarily to replace Retaining Walls that were failing, and to improve drainage issues due to the terrain of her property, with the hillside in back feeding all water toward the house and front yard. The retaining walls obviously represented the majority of the job. These walls hold the driveway for the culvert pipe. We experienced a "100 year" rain event, and during this aberration there is no way to completely predict / prevent a drainage problem when the foundational culvert pipes are simply over-run. Further complicating this is the property is on a steep hill that feeds directly onto the residence from the back yard to the front. We installed numerous swales, corrugated pipe, catch basins, and French drains throughout (which all did their jobs). One of which was a free upgrade. A 6' pipe was converted to a French drain to collect the front yard rains. It was topped with creek gravel. In this process, we also discovered a natural spring or "undertow" beneath her driveway and without charge we piped that into the drainage solution as well. This upgrade is valued at $850.00. As per her request, we also ran downspouts into the drainage system, we downsized the very large landscape bed, re-shaped, and mulched at no additional cost. Myself, as well as my crew, have made several visits during heavy downpours, to try to re-evaluate the issue. I have been there several times in heavy rains, one of which was 5 a.m., when it was pouring. I hopped right out of bed, and headed down. In short, I feel the customer received more than a fair value for the work that was completed. In one of the areas she was complaining about, during the downpour a small valley of rain washed down the area that is supposed to be turf. If the turf was established there would not be any mud issues to begin with. We also installed rain barrels for her at no cost. I was very punctual, and responsive. We became close enough that most of our communication was via text message, to which I always responded.. If she was frustrated because something was not done to correct an issue, it was due to the the difficulty in being able to "time" my on-site follow-up visits during heavy rain to evaluate the issue so we knew what to correct. Intermittent problems are always the hardest to diagnose. In such a challenging environment, it took some time to figure this out. The client called and said that water was still traveling down the hill below our creek gravel swale. We found that after our installation her lawn company had crushed the pipe while driving heavy equipment over the swale! At no charge, we dug out the swale, created a deeper and larger swale, and replaced the pipe... AGAIN, at no additional cost. All in all, we did much more work than contracted. The project was installed correctly. You cannot pass judgement on drainage solutions in the face of a "100 year" rain event because the existing culvert (although it had reasonable capacity) will be over-run in these rare events. Catching and directing even more water flow (downspouts, swales, French drains, etc.) was done successfully but in rains like that will only test the capacity of that culvert even more. A 4' rain in 1.5 hours will exceed the capacity of any well-designed drainage solution, however, our drainage prevented any damage to the house, basement, and grounds. The only minor exception is after her original culvert capacity was exceeded, dirty water did run onto the driveway."

William H.
Aug 2016
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$25,700
Turned out very well. Patio looks great. Some potential drainaige issues were addressed. Scott made sure we knew how to water everything, too. There were a couple times I thought we'd have done better with one more in-person meeting to pull all the plans together, maybe saving some extra phone calls.
Showing 1-25 of 92

Licensing

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FAQ

Outside Insight is currently rated 4.8 overall out of 5.

Outside Insight accepts the following forms of payment: CreditCard

Yes, Outside Insight offers free project estimates.

No, Outside Insight does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.

No, Outside Insight does not offer a senior discount.

Yes, Outside Insight offers emergency services.

No, Outside Insight does not offer warranties.