Ortiz Landscaping & Grading

We are waiting for the next big rain to see if the grading will solve the water drainage problem. However, Francisco was responsive and finished the work quickly in accordance with the timeline he promised.

Not a good experience. I do not recommend this contractor. The job agreed to was to smooth, rake and plant, 12 inch centers, a 40 X 11 foot embankment. Mr. Ortiz graded with a bob cat only, did not rake and left an uneven surface with dips and large 6 inch clods. He brought two flats to plant the area complaining of the cost. He stood at the top of the bank, dug the plants out of the flat with his fingers and threw them down the bank in front of a worker, knocking all the soil from the root ball. I confronter Mr. Ortiz prior to planting that the grade was uneven, wasn't raked smooth leaving large clods. He argued this was the best he could do.

They repaired some serious water erosion from my slopes. Did a great job with good suggestions to prevent it from happening again.

Did what he said he would do. Can't ask for more than that.

Great work. They had come back to clean up a couple of things but overall I would hire them again.

Pros: His assistant George is a good laborer, however, his inability to speak English made it difficult for us to communicate. Cons: Without the owner constantly supervising the operation, shortcuts will be taken and not mentioned unless you discover and question them yourself. At a cost of $400 a day, we received approximately 5½ hours of actual work during the day. No checks or credit cards accepted, cash only. Initially, our project was supposed to last two to three days. However, after the fourth day, our project was less than 40% complete and we had already paid Francisco $1600, it became cost prohibitive for us to employ Ortiz any longer. In order to properly utilize the pressure treated 12 x 12 planks the spacing of retaining wall poles was supposed to be 48 on center. However, the on-center spacing varies from the smallest of 41 to the largest of 54. When I questioned Francisco about the improper spacing of the poles, he commented, don't worry, I will just cut the 12x12's to fit the spacing. Easy for him to say because he didn't pay for the 12x12 s that now required cutting. We lost 30% usage of our 12x12s because of these cuttings. Once the poles were placed in the holes, they used a sledgehammer to drive the post further into the ground and because of this, the tops of the posts became out of round. This out of round prevents you from putting caps on the posts. When I questioned Francisco about the poles, he commented, don't worry, I will just cut an inch or two off the tops of the poles and the caps should fit. The concrete was put in the post holes and then water was added. Prior to or after combining the concrete and water, no mixing took place. Recommendation: Even though an individual is referred to as a professional by HomeAdvisor, still be cautious and check them out! In my opinion, Ortiz Landscaping & Grading is overpriced and underqualified. Francisco may be an outstanding landscaper but he does not have the required skills, qualifications or expertise for installing a retaining wall.

Very good, very cooperative! Attentive with a good attitude and goes above and beyond!