Landscape Architect Says...

Customer reference for IC Landscaping as told to pickapro by Paula, Landscape Architect from Dublin on 24-May-2011

When was the work done?
Landscaping first started doing work for me in 2000 with the most recent job being in 2010. Anytime I need to tender out a project, we give them a call.

What type of work is involved?
I'm a qualified landscape architect and the way it sometimes works is that I would design a landscape proposal for a client and tender out the work. I can't just pick my favourite either, everything to do with the procurement and selection process needs to be above board.

The work is commercial, industrial and private and would mainly involve installation but not design. Landscaping, paving, walls and features would normally be the type of work they would do for me. The work could be for semi-state, private companies or the local authority.

How did you become aware of IC Landscaping?
As a landscape designer I would have met Nigel on a site. I had seen his work and it was very good. Later when I was landscape manager at another company, we needed to get a crew together that could do installation work on a project. Nigel and I.C. Landscaping was the group that was selected.

When it comes to a tender process, I would call in at least three companies to bid for the project. On a number of occasions Nigel and I.C. Landscaping would have won based on price and quality.

Have you definite ideas in mind when you speak to Nigel about a job?
It depends on the site and the work that needs to be carried out. Sometimes it could be as simple as asking Nigel to just prep the ground, seed it and plant a few trees. In other cases it could be that there's an actual landscape plan that Nigel needs to implement.

How did the project run?
Excellent and I'm being honest. If Nigel says he's going to do something, he does it. Quality wise, I've never had to get Nigel back to do or fix anything. His standards are very high and he's up to date on his health and safety.

Nigel and the crew at I.C. Landscape are easy to deal with. Apart from being very good at what they do, they're a very friendly, hardworking group. They just get stuck in and do the work. All they want to do is to make sure that their customers have a good product at the end of the day.

What was the biggest benefit to you of using IC Landscaping?
Reliability and the quality of the work. Nigel's a fully competent landscape installer and a good all round contractor. Whether its landscaping work, timber, paving or water features, whatever it is, Nigel has a wide range of skills.

Of the work Nigel has done, what's your own favourite?
I think it would have to be a water feature and garden Nigel did at a private home about 8 years ago. The garden needed to be laid out in a safe and comforting way because one of the children had severe disabilities including being blind. The whole garden was designed around him and his family's special needs. Every time we did another section of the garden, we would bring the boy around and gauge his response to the different garden features. For me it was a very rewarding project.

The crew at I.C. Landscaping not only know how to do the job but just as importantly, they understand why they're doing X,Y AND Z.

Would you recommend IC Landscaping to others?
Yes and I have done.

Any tips for other people?
The first thing to do is to do some research and determine what you want. Once you get a landscape plan put together, you can assess how much the project is going to cost and make knowledgeable decisions from that.