Get matched with top retaining wall installers in Collegeville, MN

"Pros: Decent work (some good, some bad) Cons: Poor communication, doesn't fix issues (per contract), a number of poor installations, lack of customer service, etc, etc Hired to install front patio, retaining wall, landscaping. I should have known based on the first meeting after signing contract that we would be a second thought (despite spending +$100k)...initial meeting to pick bricks and stone, the lady was confused with who we were as she shuffled through her many layouts for other customers ("sorry, we just have so many"). Was told initially work would start once ground was ready - started a month later due to them having to 'take care of previous year work'. That's fine, just tell us during the winter so we can plan our interior house remodel accordingly. Just got a note one day out of the blue saying that work will start that day despite numerous calls prior trying to get a start date with limited feedback. After working for a few weeks, just stopped showing up for a few weeks. Because they had torn up the front door entrance, it was kind of a big deal to us. Only after a number of emails did we get a note explaining that they were waiting on a permit for the retaining wall. In the meantime, they would not have a crew work on our entrance until they could work on the retaining wall at the same time so as to 'maximize crew efficiency'. Thanks, I'm glad someone else is getting their work done while we (and now our interior contractors, because you started late) have to go in a different entrance because you couldn't get your permitting done correctly. When work finally was resumed, there were issues that became evident. They ripped through a big root on the main locust tree in our yard (how do you miss that?), threatening its survival. They installed a bench against one of our walls without our approval, despite it not being in the plans! We go away a couple days and come back to an unplanned bench. Only because it worked for the space did we accept, but what if we didn't?? There must have been a drop dead date for the job, because all of a sudden one day there were a whole group of workers on the site trying to get it done in a day. When cramming it all in a day, the quality was lost. Hopefully you can tell from the pictures where the patio seems to not be graded right, so water just sits on the patio; downspouts they installed were installed improperly and fall off all the time (and leaves get caught in all the time - what kind of dumb design are the drains?); electrical wires aren't buried correctly and are sitting above the ground us to trip on or animals to chew on; electrical tape on downspouts, etc. Communication was horrible. Only time they would be proactive in reaching out was the day after they issued their invoice asking for payment (sometimes before the work was even completed). We paid promptly each payment, but you wouldn't think so with the emails/calls we received (we won't pay final payment until job is done!). Received zero updates/feedback on a daily or weekly basis from the site foreman, so no idea where the project stood more than what we could see. I believe there was a language barrier. Once job was finished, took them until following year to fix steps that were installed poorly and broke - I'm guessing only due to our constant request for status. They put a 1 year warranty on plants, but when a few of the plants died and requested replacements, they never returned communication despite multiple attempts. Way to do the right thing...they got their money, why would they want to uphold their contractual responsibilities. Leaving overall C grade because a good portion of the work was done well - the retaining wall, facing on the wall, back patio. Left such a poor taste in our mouth with the terrible customer service (communication, follow-through) that it offset any goodness associated with the work. We got the impression that unless you are a super big project (more than the +$100k we spent) that you will be put at the end of the queue (if at all). Would not recommend."

"Working with King Scapes went very well and we highly recommend them to others! Our salesman, Donald, was great to plan and work with. He knew all the right materials to recommend at our price point and with our home's style and age in consideration. The team worked long, hot and sometimes rainy days to get the job done on time, but never without compromising quality. They also worked very carefully in tight spaces without damaging anything we didn't plan on removing to begin with and cleaned up the work site at the end of every day. The final result is a beautiful series of retaining walls, steps and sidewalks that are the talk of the block. We are very pleased with the job and look forward to working again with King Scapes in the future."

"I hired Clark Companies to replace outdated timber lawn retaining walls with more contemporary block construction. I chose Clark on the basis of the detail estimate provided by Josh Clark and his willingness and ability to answer my numerous questions. I was impressed with the work effort and friendly, customer-oriented attitudes of Adam, Dylan and the rest of the Clark installation crew. They were creative in adjusting the wall designs to best fit the terrain, and to listening and adapting to my ideas. Most importantly, I was very happy with the end results. I felt I received very good value for my money."

"Artistic Landscapes Inc. was one of many companies we talked to and received quotes from about installing a boulder retaining wall in our backyard to replace aging railroad ties and decking. The backyard is sloped with very limited access to move materials and equipment, therefore many of the companies we spoke with responded with either limited options for landscape ideas or unaffordable prices. Chris came out, listened to our ideas, gave us some of his and told us exactly what we could expect; he quickly put a bid together and we were elated it fell within our budget. 



He and his crew not only worked around the limited access issues, but challenging weather including rain and wet conditions/clay soils. In addition to an approximate 60 foot long boulder retaining wall, they installed 33 paver stones for a pathway, steps as a feature area, additional large boulders for aesthetic enhancements and graded the area to address critical storm water runoff needs. The placement of each stone/boulder was clearly thought through, resulting in a unique and attractive wall versus many of the standard "one on top of the other" looks.



Toward the end there were a few minor tweaks we requested to which Chris and his crew were more than happy to accommodate until they knew we were completely satisfied. Clean up was fabulous too; our front yard damaged by major equipment during the process (which we knew was necessary) was fully restored as promised!



Chris was good to communicate with and very trustworthy in terms of what he committed to delivering. I would recommend Artistic Landscapes to anyone seeking quality work at a fair price, and by someone who knows what works and what doesn't. We absolutely love our new backyard...thanks Chris and Artistic Landscapes!
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"I had old shrubs and rocks pulled out. I needed a lot of soil as it has eroded around the house. They installed new window wells on the side. We kept the shrubs and plants on the side and in the back and added new plastic and rocks. They provided three yews in the front and I purchased the others at Bachman's. The team came and worked about three hours. They did a great job. I'm really happy. It's been in now almost six weeks. They also needed to add a couple of rows of sod in the front. I've received lots of compliments. Definitely would hire again."

"If you are looking for paver patios, the installers are great. They did a very nice job, and were professional throughout. They would clean up every day before leaving, addressed any questions we had timely and we are very satisfied with the results. We also added a gazebo to our patio design. It was very clear that gazebo's are not one of their strengths. We encountered many issues with the design and build of the gazebo long before construction began. We had hired Josh in October to complete all elements of the landscaping project the following spring. Over the winter months, we had asked on many occasions for catalog photos, or anything that would confirm what the finished gazebo was going to look like. The pictures were never sent and the only indication of what it might look like came just a few days before the project began and was a very small (1x1) black and white picture. Our expectation of the gazebo was that the material used would be cedar. We had asked for glass windows that could be closed during the cooler and winter months. We were assured on many occasions that cedar material and glass windows were what we were going to get. As they were starting to build the gazebo, the material was not cedar, rather it was pressed wood. As the windows were installed, they were not glass (despite being told that very day they were glass), instead they were a plastic film over the screens. We were left in a very difficult position where we were essentially forced to concede on both elements. While the gazebo is functional, and will suit our needs, had Josh sent just ONE picture sometime in the 5 months or so prior the project start, we may have been able to make a different decision. Related, and something else to be aware of. When trying to reach Josh about start dates, etc I would say he was not always as responsive as I would have expected. Furthermore, there were multiple instances where what was promised was not delivered. Again, if you are looking at a paver or patio project - these guys are great and I would recommend their workmanship. However beware of anything more than that."

"In Spring 2012, we obtained quotes from three companies to tear out two existing retaining walls along the driveway and re-build them using Versalok, excavate and grade the backyard, and build a 3.5 - 4 foot retaining wall in the backyard using the stone from the old retaining walls. Genadek had the middle quote; they were also the only company to follow up with a phone call. The whole job took about 4 1/2 weeks. Stan, Mike, Tim,  Rob and Andrew were very professional and friendly; our neighbors even raved about them. They cleaned up the job site at the end of each day and communicated frequently so there were no surprises.
My only recommendation to those interested in hiring Genadek is to get on their schedule early. Their calendar books up fast!
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"Estimator came and described the fence options.  Competitive pricing for privacy fence.  Contractors completed work per schedule.  After fence was put up cracks appeared in multiple locations and bowing of fence walls created gaps in this new privacy fence. 
Owner came over and observed situation in a few days after contact for these issues, said $100 extra for labor to remove bowed fence walls that were creating gaps.  Not sure why they include this option up front or they could have let me know they were giving me a cheaper option up front (not sure why they would even offer) and then let me know this would have been needed anyways for true quality privacy.  Repair work was done promptly.  IMO its a good price, quality experience was a bit meh, but they give 5yr warranty on parts/workmanship so they'll come back and fix it up in a prompt manner either way.
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"I was really happy with Justin and his team. For me this was a big job and involved a lot of money and a lot of moving parts. The ceiling texturing had been poorly done so removal was not as simple as scraping popcorn ceilings. The house had many different dark colored walls so the painting over them was not a simple task either. Justin is very meticulous and thorough and his crew is polite and determined to get everything just right. I can recommend them without any hesitation whatsoever."

"For an uneducated landscaper like me, this went ridiculously easy. Installer came out to see what was needed, made a few quick recommendations, and installed the plants later, and I didn't have to be home to supervise it. My only concern was that I had to call back for instructions on what plants I got and how to take care of them as no educational material was left behind, but I promptly got a return call with what I needed.
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