2/5
We hired Ozark Landscaping and Design on May 28th, 2022. They were hired to add concrete around our pool, extend the drain on the pool deck, build a custom pergola, a pergola swing frame, address water drainage by installing a retaining wall and french drain, and build a fence around our pool equipment. In the front, they were hired to clean up our front landscaping, add drains to the yard from our downspouts, add plants, and reset edging.
After 2 months we checked the status of starting on the front as it was getting overgrown during that time. We were told they were behind but it would “definitely be this month”. The following month they arrived to tear out the front landscaping and begin work. We were left with no landscaping in the front for 2 months. They explained the situation and we were understanding.
They began the work in the back yard close to the original project schedule, but still had not completed the front landscaping. They asked for the second payment and we paid them the 2nd 40% ahead of schedule, contract stated 2nd payment due at time of excavation and form completion. There were no forms down at this time but we were willing to be accommodating. It was a couple weeks longer until they came back to continue work on our project.
They completed the project 2 months later and asked to do a final walkthrough of the job and asked for final payment while they were still cutting in the concrete drain in the backyard. We asked for time to for both my husband and I to look it over together before making the final payment. We were immediately reminded that payment was due at the time the job was completed. We paid the remaining 20% and asked for two items to be taken care of which we were told would be done because their reputation depended on it. We did not feel that these items were adequately addressed.
There are items of poor quality that we have made them aware of and they have had an opportunity to respond or remedy the issues.
Pergola-stain chipping, posts developing cracks. Response: normal for sawmill run material. Promised better quality than store bought kit which we did not receive. Not centered with pool as planned.
Concrete Addition: Discolored and splotchy. Recommendation was for us to acid wash and wire brush (more work for us).
Pool Deck Drain: Cost overun of $800, drain replaced rather than extended, not aware until very end of project that they could not match existing drain and too late to discuss alternatives. Drain replacement looks terrible.
Fence built around pool equipment: boards are warping, poor staining job.
Retaining wall: solid, well-built, but is washing out between wall and sidewalk. Was installed to remedy water drainage but water is now washing out under existing sidewalk.
Downspout Drains: function well but 3 were installed too high. Attempts to address during installation were unsuccessful.
Front Landscaping: followed care instructions, multiple dead boxwood plants as of this spring. One with exposed roots.
Overall, Ozark is a good professional company and I feel they are better than the quality shown in these pictures. The front project was more than they anticipated because it became overgrown during the period we were waiting for them to start. I texted to update them on that and was told it was fine and would take 1-2 days and they should have known that would happen. The backyard had a projected timeline of 10 days to 2 weeks. From start to finish, the project took 4 months to complete. We were patient and understanding through the process. I feel they were likely in a rush at the end trying to get the job completed which we understand because we were anxious for it to be done as well. However, we are left trying to correct the items listed in this review as a result and feel our money would have been better spent using a different company.
