Design Resource Group

I have had 4 major landscaping projects done over the years. This was, by far, my worst experience. I was told the project would be completed within a month when I signed the contract. I told Todd that this timeline was extremely important, and one of the reasons I went with DRG. They took more than a month to START the project. I sent numerous emails over this time frame and was told several times that the start date was ___, only to have them not show up, with no explanation. In the end, it took approximately 4 months to complete. Todd was timely about one thing only, and that was picking up the checks. In terms of the project itself, it was a disaster. They did not measure the space accurately, so they would change things without my consent. A major feature of my project was a $10,000 fountain. We had discussed board form. I came home to an ugly cement stucco fountain. I was told we could not go back to board form. Really? You changed a $10,000 design element without even asking? That is just one example. Almost literally every aspect of the process was disappointing. The process was exasperating. I was lied to constantly. There was no communication between people coming to work on the project. I never saw Todd again after the initial meeting. I could go on. I don't think I've ever written a negative review in my life, but I've also never had an experience like this and hope you don't either.

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DRG was completely professional, courteous and came back promptly- one of the trees in the order hadn't arrived in time for their first visit, they came back within the week to finish- highly recommend them- the owner and crew easy to work with, friendly will utilize their services again without question. <br />

My mother had used DRG for a back yard remodel at her house, and had noted how pleased she was with DRG's initial quality of work and responsiveness to issues that arose. From start to finish our project took a little longer than anticipated (in part due to our "change orders" and in part due to their busy schedule), but nothing exceptional. <br /> The crew was quick and efficient, and quite conscientious, maintiaining a clean workspace. I was especially happy that despite not being ready to start on our project they went out of their way to get the loud demolition work done on our old concrete slab prior to my wife having a baby (so she wasn't at home with a newborn with all that racket going on...). <br /> Todd clearly cares about the work they produce, and was mindful of getting things done right while also fitting them into budget. When the final invoice came, he had even given a discount because they had not needed to use as much bark as the original plan had anticipated. <br /> Quite pleased overall, and happy to work with them again should the need arise. <br />

We hired Design Resource Group to design and build our front and back yard in Vancouver Washington. DRG drew up the plans and we got three other landscaping companies to quote the job. DRG's $30K quote was the second lowest by a small margin so we went with them. <br /> <br /> During the onsite consultation, we clearly communicated that there were drainage issues in our back yard. DRG stated that these were easy to address with a combination of French drains and soil augmentation. <br /> <br /> Construction started in April and was supposed to take four weeks. Without notice or explanation, the crew would not show up for days. During these blackouts, DRG ignored our calls and emails leaving us wondering if they were coming back. <br /> <br /> Instead of feeling joy when the job was finally "completed" we felt relieved. <br /> <br /> Our relief was short lived, however. The following winter, parts of back yard were under a couple inches of water. Several emails and phone calls reporting the drainage issue went unanswered. Most of the yard recovered the following summer, but with the start of the second winter it was obvious that the drainage provided was not working. Once again, DRG ignored our calls and emails. Several shrubs and trees and the ENTIRE lawn had died by spring. <br /> <br /> After several more emails and phone calls we were finally able to get Todd to come out to see the bed of dried mud that was once our back lawn. Todd reluctantly acknowledged that the drainage installed was inadequate and proposed a plan to resolve the issue. It only took a couple of days to install additional drainage and new sod (the shrubs and trees were not replaced). Once again, we felt relief rather than joy. The following day, we were surprised when we received an invoice for $650 for what I thought would be warranty rework. I didn't want to pay the bill, but I also didn't want to make trouble. The invoice indicated a one year warranty but for the additional cost, and our previous experience with Todd, I insisted on two years. Todd agreed and warranty for the drainage was covered for two years, to July 12, 2013 and is clearly indicated on the invoice. <br /> <br /> Anyway, by the next October, it was obvious that the additional drainage was not working. For the next two winters, Todd continued to ignore our monthly emails and phone calls went unanswered. On April 18, 2013, four months before our two year warranty expired, Todd finally replied to one of my emails and said he would dispatch his operations manager to talk about scheduling. This never happened and once again, months of unanswered phone calls and emails. <br /> <br /> I got an email from Todd today, October 19,2013, stating that DRG is no longer licensed to operate in Washington and will not honor their warranty. Based on our experience over the past four years, I can't recommend the Design Resource Group, especially if any drainage or rework/warranty is involved. Dealing with Todd and DRG has been disappointing and frustrating. <br /> <br /> Ironically, the first two photos in DRG's Angie's List posting are of our yard a few months after the job was finished. <br /> <br /> Please look at the photos of what our back yard looked liked just two years after the job was complete. <br />

We just had a party recently out back and it was a great success. The owner, Todd, is very helpful. They started when they said they would. They did the job neatly. I had a couple of changes I wanted made (not their fault) and they came back out to fix it. Everything turned out as we wanted it to.

It took at bit of back and forth to establish exactly the pavers that we wanted, but once that was settled, it was very fast. A dropbox was delivered. The next day the old patio was removed and the ground prepared for the new one. The next day they completed the project with a crew of three both days. They were prompt, very friendly, accommodating, and professional. The new patio looks great and was completed in only two days. They will give us a bid on a future project as well. I would highly recommend them. <br />

The folks at Design Resource Group were extremely professional and great to work with. The gentlemen they sent out on the two-week job were polite, considerate of our neighbors, and helpful with any questions we had. They did an amazing job transforming our sloped front and side yards by leveling it out, adding boulders, a patio, seating wall, and terraces with a path going down the side yard.

I don't think there is anything to say beyond the fact that on a value per dollar basis this project gets an A+. The transformation is remarkable. DRG did a marvelous job in terms of getting in here and getting the work done in a very timely manner , thus lessening the mess and disruption that construction entails. They started the project when they said they would, arrived every day in spite of the ghastly weather and finished the project in 8 days. Amazing! <br /> <br /> The results exceeded all expectations. The plants and planting areas are beautiful, the irrigation is in, the hardscape provides definition and the bike and garden storage shelter with its amazing Eco Roof is beyond belief. <br /> <br /> Mack and his crew were fabulous to work with. They were a pleasure to have around....always positive and responsive. I can honestly say that I've never worked with a better team in terms of skill, quality materials and work and great customer service. We're glad to have the project completed but actually miss seeing the crew's faces each morning! <br />

We had asked multiple contractors for estimates to build a custom modern concrete mailbox after our brick column one was taken out by a car. Only DRG was willing to give us a bid and build it the way we were wanting it to look. No other contractor was willing to do it. As I was ironing out the insurance claim, and getting our HOA approval on the design, Todd was persistent in checking in with me to make sure once we were ready they could get to work. The project only took a few days and looks exactly how we envisioned. The craftsmanship of it is very well put together. We absolutely love it! We plan to use DRG for our landscaping needs. We also had DRG build a nice cedar fence for us and it also looks very good.

This is a followup from the 1st glowing review. I loved the work they did.. but they have not done well in the warranty work. DRG has refused to do any warranty work until I agree that they are not responsible for $700 worth of water loss due to bad construction of the waterfall. I have plants that are dead that need to be replaced and they are refusing to do anything about it. I am being blackmailed.