OutdoorDesigns Reviews.txt 1. Wes and team were awesome! They were punctual, focused, detail oriented, and professional. The work was top notch and the advice and guidance Wes provided was spectacular. I highly recommend Wes and team and will employee them every time I'm able. 2. Wes helped to design the project and redirected me away from an initial request to provide a front driveway (this would have been a big mistake.) Instead he redesigned a side approach to the property which meets our needs and is attractive and unobtrusive. All work was done on schedule; both the work and materials are of high quality, This was during a difficult time and I needed to leave unexpectedly to care for a family member. We were out of the state during all phases of this work. I felt as though I could trust Wes to complete the project without oversight and he not only met but exceeded our expectations. I regret that it has taken me so long to provide this review (I needed to renew my angie's list membership in order to do so.) 3. We had a very pleasant experience meeting with owner Wes Cowart He listened to our requests and made suggestions. He provided a clear, itemized estimate. We had excellent cornmunicatlons via email on scheduling the job start. We met to review the plan on the start of the project. We reviewed status and made some minor updates during the project at our request. Team did an excellent job on 2 - 4' dry stack retaining walls, 76' and 54' using chopped limestone of approx. 6" x 8" x 18". The curves are well executed and were trimmed on-site. The project including backfill and topsoil dressing was completed in one week. The work area was cleaned on completion. 4. Wes Cowart and his crew were awesome! They worked very hard to turn my backyard from a living nightmare to a very pleasant and maintainable retreat. Wes carefully listened carefully to what I wanted and submitted a proposal. He responded quickly to questions and kept me posted on the start date. He came back the day before his crew started to go over the details and confirm what I wanted. He arrived with his crew and managed the project throughout. His crew worked very hard as they dug the weeds out of my backyard and installed zoysia grass, relocated parts of a stone walkway and filled the spaces between the stones with concrete, installed a couple of planting beds and areas of decomposed granite along with steel edging, trimmed a fig tree, removed an invasive grape vine, stabilized four large planters on concrete blocks, and poured a concrete pad for a hot tub and two rain barrels. Wes and his team were cheerful and adaptable to several changes and additions I asked for along the way. They went above the call of duty in all respects. The experience was as stress free for me as possible. I could not be happier with the way the project went and with the results. 5. Their work was incredible. They showed up on time and got it all done in one day. They were so awesome. They removed all of the dead grass from my back yard and made a huge pile in the street in front of my house while they loaded into their dumptruck. When they were done, you could not tell there had ever been any dirt there, they got up almost every blade of grass and dirt. For the first time in the seven years I have lived here, I do not have to wake up in the middle of the night when it rains and go outside pushing the water out of my yard with a broom. I have always worried that my house would flood, Wes gave me piece of mind by correctly redirecting the water so it stays away from my house. That is so huge, just such a great feeling to see how well it has all worked and how nice it looks. His guys worked so hard, they just plugged away and kept at it. And these are HIS guys, not just a crew hired for the day. They have all worked with him anywhere from 5 years-20 years and it shows in their work. They worked really well together, very smoothly, very quickly, just an awesome guy and an awesome company. I wouldn't think of using anyone else in the future if I have outdoor work-to do on my house. 6. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Just loved these guys. They took all of the bad grass from my backyard and side yard. My yard has had a flood problem since we moved in. I get a tremendous amount of water that passes through my yard from the houses up the hill from me, flooding my side yard and draining very slowly. Wes and his team regraded my yard, built up a berm to keep the water to the sides and made a sloped drain to get the water out quickly. They then replaced all of my dead grass with new grass and gave me a beautiful, dry yard. 7. Top of Review page - I have had a drainage problem in my yard for years but after the flooding over the past couple years Iknew I had to get it fixed! I contacted Outdoor Designs after reading the positive reviews on Angie's List. Wes Cowart came out right away and gave me an estimate for regrading two areas and putting down soil and sod. He warned me that it would be several months before they could get to my job because they were so busy but it was worth the wait! The yard looks great and after hard rain last night - no standing water!! They also added 3 underground drain pipes for downspouts to carry the water away from the house. The crew Wes uses is very professional and know what they are doing! They worked hard for two days completing my job. My entire neighborhood has drainage problems and several neighbors have stopped by to ask who did the work for me. I am so happy i was patient and waited until Outdoor Designs could get to me! If i could give them 10 stars i would! 8. Wes Cowart did an excellent job of problem solving the water flow issues in our back yard by reshaping three berms to redirect water, created a retaining wall and designed a lovely patio and pergola. Wes and his team were 100% professionals and clearly have experience and knowledge in this area. Everything was planned according and executed in a timely manner. Absolutely one of the best contractors that we have ever worked with! I highly recommend. Very ethical. Description of work: Our house sits at the bottom of a hill that runs about three blocks up so when it rains a lot as in recent years our yard gets run off which was directed at the back of our house. After it flooded a couple years ago during the Memorial Day floods, we decided to have the yard landscaped to redirect the water around and away from the house. Additionally, we wanted to add a patio and pergola. 9. " Great experience. We had several interactions by email to firm up details on the project, Wes was always quick to reply with clear answers and useful options. He and crew showed up as promised and completed work on schedule and with high quality. I had one question about a small detail of the work - the connection between one of the downspouts and the drain system - and he came back to check it in person and provide an answer. With heavy rains lately, I can confirm system works perfectly. Price was as good or better than other alternatives I explored. Wouldn't hesitate to call Wes/Outdoor Designs again for my next project. Description of work: Added underground drains tied to gutter downspouts and regraded earth close to house, to keep rainwater runoff away from foundation. Then finished with gravel in OAe area and sod in another. 10. " Showed up when promised, worked hard and efficiently 'til 4.30, with all necessary discussion and showing excellent flexibility. Good clean up afterwards. Very pleased with job. Description of work: Emptied/filled-in disused goldfish pond. Replaced vegetation/dead leaves on side of driveway with river rock. 11. Living sort out of main Austin area, we experienced a lot "now shows" for estimates and "no callbacks". Wes kept his word about appointment time, was very professional and concise in what he could do. His team showed up the day promised, were very polite and efficient and got the job done quickly. Work has been completed, looks excellent and we fully expect that when the heavy rains come again, we are all set. Working with Wes and his crew was a pleasure. 12. We couldn't be happier after working with Wes, and his crew. Out of the four companies we had bid on our project, Wes was by far the most professional, timely, and reasonable with his ideas, communication, and costs. They were always on time, and Wes would explain what the next step of our large project would be, in advance, to make sure we were all on the same page. The three crew members and two tractors, impressively did the work of at least a dozen people. The entire process was interesting to watch. They all clearly knew what they were doing, and did it very well. We love our new back yard, it's beautiful and functional at the same time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Outdoor Designs! Description of work: We hired Outdoor Designs to demo our existing sloped backyard. We were having major water drainage issues, that we needed taken care of. After the demo, they regraded the land, built retaining walls, installed a draining walkway, built planting beds, new stairs, and a dry river bed area that the water could flow down into. 13. This was the best experience I have ever had with any company. Wes, the owner, was very helpful, stayed in touch, and made sure the job got done properly. He came to the jobsite everyday and we had great communication. His employees were also top notch and I have no doubt that if he had not been at the jobsite that they would have still done an excellent job. Everyone went above and beyond my expectations. Once finished the property was very neat and tidy, much more so then I was expecting. I would certainly hire them again without any hesitation. Description of work: Cleared approx 100 x 40 ft area including some oak and mesquite trees for garden area, moved and placed 50+ garden beds 8x4, placed approx 100 cu yds of garden soil into raised beds, placed approx 50 cu yds mulch between beds. Cleared another area of approx 100 ft x 35 ft including cedar and oak trees, also limbed up some oak trees, placed road base for carport and storage shed. Cleared large amount of medium to small size trees from slope in back yard (approx 100 x 30 ft) opening up the view to the river. Dug approx 20 holes for new fruit trees. Removed several large berms from previous construction around property. 14. The quality of work was very good. Finished was better than expected. Wes was taking frequent feedback and suggestions so that final product matched what was expected. Description of work: Removal of approx 2,000 sq feet concerete driveway and walkway. New previous walkway and driveway.