Universal Landscape Services logoApproved Pro
Approved Pro

Universal Landscape Services

Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service, Tree Service,

About us

I am proud of our roster of long-term clients and equally proud of our personnel who work diligently to ensure customer satisfaction. Our teams work together and can accomplish any landscaping challenge. We can design a custom package of services that meet your residential or commercial requirements, and we are fully insured. My professional experience spans over 30 years. I am a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in horticulture. And I am licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Happy Gardening Texas! Alvin Prentice, Jr., Owner & President Call us for a free, no obligation estimate at (713) 991-3622.

Business highlights

47 years of experience

Services we offer

Residential & Commercial Landscape Design, Lighting, Tree Care, Irrigation & Maintenance.

Amenities

Free Estimates

Yes

Accepted Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Zelle
  • CreditCard
Reviews
4.647 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
81%
4
9%
3
4%
2
4%
1
2%

Filter reviews by service

Showing 1-25 of 47 reviews
David S.
Mar 2021
5.0
Landscaping
Yes, I recommend this pro
I was very pleased with my ULS experienced. They were personable and quick to respond to my request for a quote. The quote was very fair (if not below what I was anticipating) and the work was done quickly. Billing and follow-up was a breeze. I truly have no complaints about my experience!

Sandra K.
Oct 2020
5.0
Landscaping
Yes, I recommend this pro
$700
Men showed on time and ensured I was pleased with project before leaving.

Jose C.
Sep 2020
5.0
Lawn Irrigation
Yes, I recommend this pro
They were great to work with.

Dennis B.
Sep 2019
5.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service
Yes, I recommend this pro
$779
Crew was on time. Mulch was high quality. Well done spreading the mulch. I would use Universal again.

Bill K.
Apr 2019
5.0
Landscaping, Tree Service + 1 more
Yes, I recommend this pro
$7,200
Excellent job. They came out and gave me ideas, provided a plan and an estimate. Work done turned out great. Three of the smaller plants did not look healthy after about 4 months and the promptly replaced them. Would highly recommend them for your landscaping needs.

Robert W.
Mar 2019
3.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service + 2 more
John scheduled time to come by and review the service I wanted, showed on time and asked thorough questions. He stated he would be back in touch within days. No feedback after a week, I contacted the company with no response. Followed up again a week later and no feedback. I scheduled time away from work only for them to blow me off, expected the service to be well over $1000. I can understand if it turned out to be something they weren’t interested in but poor customer service to just not communicate. I was very clear on the service I needed at initial contact so no surprise on their end when we reviewed the items at my home. Can not recommend this company.
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"[Member Name Removed] - We are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with our communication. After our meeting, we - e-mailed you a proposal the very next day. We have no idea why you did not receive it, when our records indicate that it was correctly sent to the e-mail address you provided. After reviewing the Angie's List messaging system, we do see that you sent a message on March 1st, which we did not see. Once we realized that communication had broken down, we sent another copy of the proposal because we do value your business. This experience reminds us to be more vigilant with all types of messages. Thank you for contacting Angie's List to modify your review."


Karen K.
Mar 2019
5.0
Landscaping, Lawn Service + 1 more
Yes, I recommend this pro
It went well. They showed up on time, did what we asked, and cleaned up afterwards.

Twiila C.
Dec 2018
5.0
Landscaping
Yes, I recommend this pro
This was a birthday gift to myself and was done while I was out of town. (I just gave my input on what I had in mind - quite vague. )I had my family take pictures and Wow!!!! It looked so beautiful that I hired them for weekly maintenance! I love love love it!!!!

Oliver K.
Jul 2018
2.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service + 3 more
$6,400
Was under the gun trying to be complete in time to get properties on market during summer renting season. Scheduling and getting a quote problematic. Thought we were communicating and they understood I wanted a not to exceed price..... Thought they were just not understanding what was being requested. Didn't want a by the day price that runs over. Gave that request at least once in email and several times verbally. Stopped trying to select contractors for several days as I thought we just were not getting the quote language right but had an understanding and the morning of the start it became clear they were not going to quote as a not to exceed. Against better judgement went with them..... Guess what, was trying to pull work items (not add) to get the most difficult and priority items done and it still went over a day at the in Houston average day rate per crew of $1280/day... Some of the work while looks fine and acceptable was done in a manner that I think took longer than the method we had discussed. Think they did add one crew person and the supervisor chipped in, but the quoting estimating process was poor and some of the work I tried to take away got done, not leaving time for the more important work. Their first quote as a landscaper doubled the amount of bulk materials needed (I used my long term delivery organization to check my numbers) and they were asking what to do with the extra materials I ordered for them to use. Their materials order would have been far far too much and probably would have only been usable with extra new projects..... certainly causing more days work. Told them I expected fairly good prices on bulk materials, besides being way over estimated in quantity they quoted 10-15% more than published retail. Told them we'd order and, of course got a small discount from published retail pricing. Sigh..... Included in the work was a health and safety trim of the larger trees at all of the properties. Within a week or ten days of doing an overall health and safety trim at one of the properties, the Energy Company's contractor Davey tree service came by. They had a 4 man crew 4 hours doing just power line safety work.... (Davey hasn't looked at the rest of the properties yet. The power line contractor Davey tree service should have really come by and said looks pretty good or found one or two debatable branches. But not a 4 man crew for four hours to do a safety of power line safety trim only and of course Davey's job is really brutal to the trees and the plants below. Additionally, in the same week another tree at the same property dropped 2-3" - 10" foot long DEAD branch on top of ornamental potted plants (bonsai and prebonsai trees) and we have not been having horrible weather. Additionally, one of the paths near a front entry way at another property, did not flood. The water dripped into the yard but did create a hole and a small mud pit highly visible by the front door, and the path was supposed to prevent holes from developing and allow the water to drain into the yard. The first time they installed the water flowed mostly into the front entry way which never occurred before. The time they "repaired" only 80% of the water (by hose test) flowed into the yard the remaining 20% into the front entry... They said they came a second time to repair (a week later) and it din't look different to me, and the hose water test performed the same. Hose water was directed to mimic water falling from roof, not trying to purposely "create" a problem. Now they are wanting to charge me to fix a problem they created.
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Our goal is customer satisfaction, so we are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with our services. A "per day" pricing system is common in bidding jobs that have multiple projects. We gave you a "per day" quote with a maximum number of days per house. We thought this would simplify the pricing. Universal Landscape Services has provided a wide range of landscape services to the Houston area for over 40 years. We pride ourselves on job quality while maintaining customer satisfaction. The number of our repeat customers speaks for itself. We appreciate your business."


Karen C.
Jul 2018
5.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service + 2 more
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,100
It went better than expected! From the start, Alvin came out and listened to everything we had to say that needed to be done to both our front and back yards. His office came back with a very reasonable estimate which we accepted immediately. Alvin & his team started work right away and they did an amazing job! They did everything we asked for and also gave us some ideas that we hadn't even thought of. Our front and back yards were looking so bad & disheveled and they made them beautiful again! I recommend Universal Landscape Services 1000%.
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Hello [Member Name Removed]! So very glad you were so happy with the work! We would love to work with you again....great customer! Thanks for the review!! Kathy"


Jerry J.
Apr 2018
5.0
Landscaping
Yes, I recommend this pro
$325
These guys arrived on time and got to work immediately. We were very satisfied with everything. The foreman - Juan - was very professional and accommodating. They cleaned everything up and hauled away the old shrubbery. We will definitely use them again!

Pearl T.
Nov 2017
4.0
Landscaping, Lawn Service
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,100
completed all works in 4 hours.

John V.
Nov 2017
5.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service + 2 more
Yes, I recommend this pro
We sold the house the first weekend it was shown. We had multiple bids. We are sure this work added to the quick sale of the home. Happy and Diann
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Fantastic! So very happy all worked out and you were so pleased!"


Vincent J.
Oct 2017
5.0
Landscaping
Yes, I recommend this pro
$75
He was on time. He gave us some great ideas

Jane L.
Oct 2017
5.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service + 5 more
Yes, I recommend this pro
Great. We had a consultation and described our vision for what we wanted (more color, something to make the back yard look less empty). We also had a few specific little problems like straightening our juniper that got knocked askew during Harvey. Alvin provided us with a detailed estimate. It did not have pictures but for me it was descriptive enough so that pictures were not needed. When we approved the estimate, Universal came in soon thereafter and completed the work in two days (including throwing in the little extras like our juniper situation). They also had someone check and adjust our sprinklers to make sure the new plants will get the water they need. The landscaping looks so good. We previously had a few rocks around our front flower beds; they brought in a lot more to line and raise the beds (which makes them look so much nicer), and added mulch as well as new plants. They also used our existing plants that still had life to them (they got rid of the dying ones per our request) and transplanted some of them to other areas in the yard. They installed a new flower bed behind the pool. Per our request, they planted some plants along the fence line to dress it up a little without obstructing the view behind our fence. They chose dwarf crepe myrtles, which I am excited about as a crepe myrtle fan. I can't stop wandering around my yard admiring everything. Of course, some of the plants (like the new dwarf crepe myrtles) are new and small, and will grow out over time, so I know it will look even better in the future. We are very happy, 100% satisfied.

Daniel H.
Aug 2017
2.0
Landscaping
Universal Landscape Services never contacted me. Went with another Angie's List vendor instead. Requested a refund through Angie's List support (via telephone). Offer was promptly refunded.

Denise M.
Jul 2017
3.0
Landscaping
$45
See above information

Carol H.
Jul 2017
4.0
Landscaping
They came in with a bid listing number of and types of flowers with no visual presentation. (A very high dollar bid) After requesting a draft of the plan, they put dot's on the copy of the plot plan I provided.

Terra W.
Jun 2017
5.0
Landscaping, Tree Service
Yes, I recommend this pro
Everything looks great, completed all work in 1 day
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Thank you for allowing us to work at your home. Very glad that you are happy with the work. Look forward to working with you again."


ZAHID S.
Jun 2017
4.0
Landscaping
$69
Consultation went well. I was expecting drawings of the concept for the front yard, but I am assuming that they are not included.

Twiila C.
Jun 2017
5.0
Landscaping, Lawn Service
Yes, I recommend this pro
They did an excellent job. Prior to that they did an excellent job. There was a deal that I bought in March and they came in and cleaned it up. I talked to them then about doing more work. They are exceptional and the quality of work is wonderful. They are super. When they say they are going to be there they are there. The workers are excellent and friendly. They made sure when I had questions to quickly get the owner on the phone so I could discuss it with him. They made sure that they knew what I wanted when I wanted it.
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Very happy Ms. [Member Name Removed] that we did everything that you wanted and that you like it. We try very hard to make our customers happy."


Dustin M.
Jun 2017
5.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service
Yes, I recommend this pro
$4,000
Great job. Clear communication.
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Thank you for allowing us to provide your services. It was a pleasure to work with you."


William S.
May 2017
1.0
Landscaping
not good. wouldn't hire them
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"We are sorry you were so disappointed. We gave you an estimate from the photos that you sent. We never heard back from you. We are fully insured and have been in business over 38 years. We did not provide anything but an estimate and probably not the cheapest company around."


Sandra M.
May 2017
5.0
Landscaping
Yes, I recommend this pro
Very well. I am pleased with the results.
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Thank you for your review! Was very nice to work with you. Let us know if you need anything else!"


John S.
May 2017
5.0
Landscaping, Mulch and Topsoil Service + 2 more
Yes, I recommend this pro
$750
Very good service. One thing I really liked is that they hauled off things for us which was wonderful.
Response from Universal Landscape Services

"Very happy you were pleased with the work and hopefully you will call again when you would like more work done. Very nice to work with you."

Showing 1-25 of 47

Licensing

Insured

Licensed*

Trade License Number

0506030

Trade License Expiration

07/13/2025

State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our Find Licensing Requirements page.

*Contact business to see additional licenses.

FAQ

Universal Landscape Services is currently rated 4.6 overall out of 5.
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed
Universal Landscape Services accepts the following forms of payment: Check, Zelle, CreditCard
Yes, Universal Landscape Services offers free project estimates.
No, Universal Landscape Services does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Universal Landscape Services does not offer a senior discount.
No, Universal Landscape Services does not offer emergency services.
No, Universal Landscape Services does not offer warranties.
Universal Landscape Services offers the following services: Residential & Commercial Landscape Design, Lighting, Tree Care, Irrigation & Maintenance.

Contact Information

PO Box 750111, Houston, TX 77252

Service Hours

Sunday:Closed
Monday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
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