Garden Guys Landscaping

When working with new customers, we always like to begin with a site visit where we meet with the client and do a walk-through of the property. Each site has its own unique features and each client has special requests which we always try to accommodate and this can really only be done with seeing the property in person. We then prepare an estimate of cost and a landscaping design plan, if applicable. From there, any details can be altered to the client’s request, and if the price is agreed upon we discuss starting work dates.

In terms of education, I have a degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Maine Orono. With this, I am able to provide environmentally-friendly lawn treatments to all of our clients. We love making pollinator gardens that not only feature beautiful flowers and greenery, but also helping to attract all sorts of birds and bees to maintain a healthy environment.

In terms of pricing, we strive to provide fair and competitive pricing for every potential client. We don’t have standard pricing based on predetermined metrics because each property is different and has unique features that need to be assessed before being accurately priced. Before beginning work, we provide each client with a written estimate following a site visit.

While I was still in high school I started Garden Guys Landscaping with only an SUV, a small trailer, and a single lawnmower. This summer hobby sparked my interest in learning how to better manage the environment I live in and led to my eventual degree in Environmental Engineering. Since those early years, we have upgraded our equipment, added multiple employees, and expanded our client geographic range to grow into the company that we are today.

We work with customers in a wide variety of areas from the densely populated portions of Portland to the sprawling landscapes of Cape Elizabeth to the lawns that abut the coast in Willard Beach. 

In terms of the scope of work we take on, we have a wide range of work agreements with our clients. For some, we only mulch their gardens once per year, whereas for others we take on the complete care of their yearly landscaping. Full season work includes lawn mowing and maintenance, seasonal cleanups, spring mulching, garden design and installation, and snow removal. In addition to this, we have clients falling somewhere in between who we work with on a regular basis with fewer service commitments.

During the last landscaping season, we worked with a client in South Portland to completely transform their landscaping. They had just purchased a new house in a cute neighborhood, but the home needed to be completely renovated. While construction was underway, we designed an extensive landscaping plan to allow the outside to match the beautiful new inside of the house. 

Starting with the lawn, the entirety of the existing weed-infested lawn was removed, new soil was brought in, and the ground was regraded to properly shed water away from the house. Once all of the site work had been done, sod was laid to create the lush green lawn that everyone wants.

For the gardens, a specific emphasis of the gardens was to create a pollinator-rich space for the beehives that were soon to arrive at the new house. Perennial beds wrapped the entirety of the house and allowed for much of the garden to be in bloom for the whole season. Large 6-foot tall hydrangeas were installed along the street side of the house, to make the landscaping look like it has been there for many years and served as anchor points for the rest of the landscaping

Privacy trees were planted along the rear of the property to shield the backyard from neighbors. As the area is very shady, large hemlocks were installed directly along the fenceline and as they continue to grow, will help further shield the house. Flowering trees positioned throughout the interior of the lawn provide interest in terms of different textures and colors.

Over the course of a few weeks of planning and a week of hard work, we were able to completely transform our clients property into the oasis that they always wanted. The best part of the job will always be the final product, as we are able to help transform the environment in which people live their lives, leaving happy customers behind.

When looking to hire a provider, I would make sure that the company has many other houses in your neighborhood to ensure prompt and continuous service. Sometimes, companies may be stretched too thin in terms of a service area which can lead to delays. The more houses that a company has in the area, the more likely you are to get better pricing as travel time to the property will be decreased. I would recommend that prospective customers read reviews to have the most information possible before committing to a new provider.

In my mind, the scope and budget of projects are the most important aspects for the client to consider ahead of time. The professional will almost always give ideas and recommendations on how to handle the project, but if the scope and budget are determined beforehand, it helps make the finished product exactly what the customer is hoping for.