OK to provide an update, The final 3 contenders after meeting with landscapers based on recommendations here.
Land Reform - I met with Ken, very nice and knowledgeable guy. He was the only landscaping company who would provide a formal quote with an itemized list, break down of the pricing and even give you a rough drawing before you accept the job. He knew his plants, he knew his pavers, but the price was very high. Granted I believe he will do good work, it was way above at least what I had in mind for my budget. Ken also said he will match anybody's written quote. The only problem is that no one will give you a written quote until you get a contract in place. If I had the money, I would have gone with Land Reform. I know Ken trolls these forums, so sorry Ken we couldn't work out a better price.
Go Pavers - Probably the cheapest and they seem like they do amazing work for the price. But the only thing is it is only pavers and no landscaping. For me, I didn't feel like finding one more contractor to do landscaping and to have to coordinate with Go Pavers. It was a convenience thing for me to go with a single contractor to do it all.
Aloha - Mahe is a pretty cool dude. He handles his business like a one man show...everything is verbal until you say you're good and this is what I want. He doesn't do websites or online marketing, just by word of mouth. That's why you won't find much on him on the web. He took me to a bunch of his clients. The work seems pretty good. I don't think he's going to give you something crazy spectacular but he does good work. He seems honest, he seems unfront, easy to be blunt with him.
I decided to go with Aloha because he was the most willing to work with me on the price. He gave me a price...I said this is my budget...can you make it work? He said sure lets do this...and it was done. Land Reform was willing to work on the price but could only come down so far from their quote. Like I said previously, I'm pretty sure their price is worth their workmanship, but for me, with so much to spend on a new house, a savings somewhere is very much welcomed.
Hope this helps someone with their decisions. I tried some of the other landscapers in the hood...West Coast seems to be upping the price on everyone even though they quoted you one price. Greenline was another Chinese landscaper and his work was not very good...and they take forever. Couple of other small name ones that didn't seem very good or they just felt shady.
Land Reform - I met with Ken, very nice and knowledgeable guy. He was the only landscaping company who would provide a formal quote with an itemized list, break down of the pricing and even give you a rough drawing before you accept the job. He knew his plants, he knew his pavers, but the price was very high. Granted I believe he will do good work, it was way above at least what I had in mind for my budget. Ken also said he will match anybody's written quote. The only problem is that no one will give you a written quote until you get a contract in place. If I had the money, I would have gone with Land Reform. I know Ken trolls these forums, so sorry Ken we couldn't work out a better price.
Go Pavers - Probably the cheapest and they seem like they do amazing work for the price. But the only thing is it is only pavers and no landscaping. For me, I didn't feel like finding one more contractor to do landscaping and to have to coordinate with Go Pavers. It was a convenience thing for me to go with a single contractor to do it all.
Aloha - Mahe is a pretty cool dude. He handles his business like a one man show...everything is verbal until you say you're good and this is what I want. He doesn't do websites or online marketing, just by word of mouth. That's why you won't find much on him on the web. He took me to a bunch of his clients. The work seems pretty good. I don't think he's going to give you something crazy spectacular but he does good work. He seems honest, he seems unfront, easy to be blunt with him.
I decided to go with Aloha because he was the most willing to work with me on the price. He gave me a price...I said this is my budget...can you make it work? He said sure lets do this...and it was done. Land Reform was willing to work on the price but could only come down so far from their quote. Like I said previously, I'm pretty sure their price is worth their workmanship, but for me, with so much to spend on a new house, a savings somewhere is very much welcomed.
Hope this helps someone with their decisions. I tried some of the other landscapers in the hood...West Coast seems to be upping the price on everyone even though they quoted you one price. Greenline was another Chinese landscaper and his work was not very good...and they take forever. Couple of other small name ones that didn't seem very good or they just felt shady.
