Liaison Landscapes in Concord

The Worst Business Owner Ive Ever Worked With First, I want to mention that I am also a business owner with 15 years of experience, so I understand the challenges of running a business. That said, Markus at Liaison is the worst business owner Ive ever had the misfortune of working with. I first contacted Liaison in September 2021 and received a top-end quote of $99,646. I signed the contract expecting work to begin within a month. However, seemingly because Markus took on every project he could get, my project was delayed until February 2022. Then, when work was supposed to start, they said they forgot to get the permit, pushing the project back again to March 2022 - a full 6 months after I signed the contract. The project finally ended, unfinished, in October 2022 - an astonishing 7 months after it began. During this entire time, my yard was torn up with a portable toilet in the front. There was no sense of urgency or efficient project management. I wish the delayed start was the end of my issues with Markus and Liaison, but it was just the beginning of the worst contracting experience of my life. Once the project finally started, I was informed that Sean, the project manager I originally met with, had quit. I was left without a project manager for weeks while the subcontractors tried to figure things out on their own. I had only met Markus in person for 10-15 minutes when he came to tell me Sean left. The project began with demolition and trenching. The trenching bill came in at exactly the high end of the original quote, even though it was supposed to be based on hours worked. It became clear that hours werent being tracked in detail and Markus planned to simply bill the maximum for each line item. The original quote only included a line for Retrofit existing - Time and material at $85 pr. hr. Yet I was billed $7,200 for trenching alone, not even the irrigation retrofit. No change order was ever made for this major scope increase. Next was the hot tub pad and decking, which ended up costing nearly $50,000. Issues included: - The deck was finished before the gas line was hooked up, requiring boards to be pulled up - The deck finish needed to be redone by a third party - The removable stairs to access the hot tub panel were misaligned and wobbly Furthermore, despite repeatedly communicating our desire for a clover lawn, Markus crew showed up one day and added gravel, compacting it down because they thought we wanted grass turf. This not only added cost but required completely tearing up the yard later because they didnt fully remove the gravel, leaving the soil too compact for growth. When it came time for planting, the crew brought about 20% of the wrong plants. After I rearranged many of them into the correct layout, we later discovered that some still werent the ones we originally selected. Many aspects of the project were changed without any negotiation. When I brought this up, I was told that I had made the changes myself, without any evidence or even an in-person conversation. This is the result of a detached business owner who has taken on too many contracts, a lack of project management, poor business organization, and/or blatant dishonesty. After more than a year, $125,000 paid, going through two project managers who did next to nothing, a budget overrun of nearly 30%, much of the original plan scrapped, and having to redo a lot of the work ourselves, I was done with this disorganized company. The only positive was working with Ernie, the electrical/gas subcontractor, who demonstrated integrity, communication, respect, and quality work. I strongly encourage anyone considering a project larger than simple decking or fencing to find a different contractor. Even for those, Id advise finding someone more organized and honest to work with than Liaison. The experience was so bad, I am likely considering a lawsuit against Markus and Liaison.

I am writing this review with a heavy heart, having harbored a high level of optimism when my husband and I first decided to entrust our mid-sized San Francisco project to Liaison Landscapes. Regrettably, our experience with them turned out to be far from satisfactory and left us feeling extremely frustrated and disappointed. A successful project relies heavily on proficient project management. However, the team at Liaison Landscapes seems to lack this critical skill. The organization of our project was haphazard at best, which led to numerous delays and countless inefficiencies. For a company that prides itself on professional service, their handling of our project was simply unacceptable. Communication, or rather the lack of it, was another major stumbling block in our interaction with Liaison Landscapes. There seemed to be a pervasive disconnect between us and the team assigned to our project. Our concerns and queries often went unanswered, and when they were addressed, the responses were vague and unhelpful. This lack of clear and timely communication added an unnecessary layer of stress and confusion to the already chaotic situation. It is with sincere regret that I find myself compelled to advise potential customers to think twice before engaging Liaison Landscapes. We put our trust in them for our landscaping project and unfortunately, we were met with a disastrous experience. Its imperative for any professional service to understand the importance of competent project management and effective communication, and it is clear that Liaison Landscapes has considerable room for improvement in these areas.

Liaison Landscapes Transformed My Backyard into a Dream Space! I recently had the pleasure of working with Liaison Landscapes to revamp my backyard, and I cannot express how thrilled I am with the results. From start to finish, the team at Liaison Landscapes demonstrated unparalleled professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. First and foremost, the communication throughout the entire process was exceptional. The team took the time to understand my vision for the space, offering insightful suggestions to enhance the overall design. They were transparent about the timeline and budget, ensuring there were no surprises along the way. The transformation itself is nothing short of magical. The unused, messy area that once plagued my backyard is now a stunning basketball court surrounded by lush turf sitting areas. The integration of plants and lighting has added a touch of natural beauty while making the space functional and inviting, even during the evening hours. What truly sets Liaison Landscapes apart is their commitment to quality craftsmanship. Every detail, from the choice of materials to the precision in the execution, reflects their dedication to creating outdoor spaces that stand the test of time. The basketball court is not only a joy to play on but also a visually striking centerpiece that has become the envy of my neighbors. Moreover, the team demonstrated a genuine passion for their work, and it was evident that they took pride in delivering beyond my expectations. The project was completed on schedule, and the end result far exceeded what I had envisioned. I wholeheartedly recommend Liaison Landscapes to anyone in search of a professional and creative landscaping team. They have turned my backyard into a haven, and I couldnt be more pleased. If youre looking for a company that combines expertise, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, look no further than Liaison Landscapes. Theyve earned every bit of this 5-star rating!

Wanted to call out Elliot and the design team for the effort, creativity, and professionalism. The team worked hard to provide a design process and I would very much recommend others to work with Markus, Elliot and the team at Liaison.

Working with Liaison Landscapes has been an awesome experience. My partner and I were of opposing opinions on how we should design our back yard. We agreed to hire professionals and have an open mind to whatever they recommended. Liaison Landscapes came up with an AWESOME design that both my partner and I are thrilled about. They have been nothing but professional and friendly. Our design iteration meetings were truly enjoyable. We highly recommend their services!

Contacted Liaison regarding a landscape renovation at my home. Asked to take photos and describe the desired concept for the project. Never got to speak with anyone other than some clerical assistant who clearly had no project management or landscape experience. Was sent a terse email declining the project without any explanation or recommendations. Unprofessional and arrogant to say the least. I suspect that any positive reviews that appear are either solicited or given some discount.

READ UNTIL THE END: We contacted Liason Landscapes for designing and remodeling our backyard. After a few discussions, we were quite happy with the design and a few months later, the work started. It took about 6-7 weeks for the work to complete. The concrete work they did was absolutely amazing. We loved the pavers and the artificial turf. Things were fine for about 2 weeks after the work completion and then things started falling apart. First, the plumbing that was done, started leaking and we had to spend about 900$ to get it fixed immediately to stop water wastage. Next, half of the segment of string lights in the backyard stopped working which is when we realized the way they had connected two strings was extremely poor and wasn t designed to last even in moderate winds. I tried contacting Markus as well as Chris, the project manager regarding this issue but neither replied to my messages. Now here I am without working lights in my backyard trying to figure out how to salvage the situation. These guys don t come cheap but we went ahead with them anyway assuming we would get quality work, but just a couple weeks later, I m unable to use our backyard at night and having spent money on fixing plumbing that these guys did. I would ONLY recommend them if you DO NOT intend to do any plumbing and/or electrical work.

Fantastic Design. Quality construction. We selected Liaison Landscapes for a sizable backyard project that included patios, concrete and landscaping. Markus shared our vision for how we wanted to use our yard and offered up some unique suggestions that complimented the project perfectly. Working with the designer Elliot was exceptional as his attention to detail really helped shape the final design. The Liaison crew on-site knows how to build with a tremendous attention to detail. We could not be happier with the result and would highly recommend Liaison to others looking to makeover their outdoor living space.

Liaison does amazing work, and unlike many landscapers, they can do some serious hardscaping of your space. Unfortunately they are popular, so you may want to get your spot in their queue early on!

MUST READ REVIEW: First and foremost, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Liaison Landscapes and Markus and his crew of hardworking folks. Markus, if youre reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. I mean that. There are no words that I could write that would adequately convey the level of appreciation that I have for both you and your company. LIAISON LANDSCAPE REVIEW: Liaison Landscapes is without a doubt, the best-in-class landscaper and the most qualified group of experts in the field. Their tireless effort and their calculated attention to detail are second to none. Day after day, they worked hard and never cut a single corner to make our backyard project a reality. They have an exceptional work ethic and they went above and beyond numerous times in order to make our project perfect. The whole experience was simply exceptional from start to finish and the integrity and quality of the work is nothing short of incredible. Some context: My wife and I had planned a very specific backyard project for some time but it continued to slip due to the pandemic. But, the silver lining was that it gave us time to vet dozens (if not all) of the landscapers within a 50-mile radius of San Francisco. The most promising ones were either super old school and not personable or they would tell us that they specialize in a few areas but not in the ones that mattered (concrete patios, for example). Most landscapers werent familiar with the latest materials that we desired either, (eg. Trex) and they had no clue when discussing even the most simple outdoor decorating and aesthetic trends and options. Frankly speaking, the whole process of vetting dozens of landscapers was daunting and we thought that we wouldnt be able to find the perfect landscapers that can meet our needs. But when we thought all was lost, we finally got around to engaging with Liaison Landscapers and everything fell perfectly into its place. Thank god for that. Markus was very professional, thoughtful, and most importantly, easy to converse with. My most favorite aspect of working with him was that he was just so incredibly responsive from the start and he didnt overcomplicate or try to sell you on needless features. In fact, the very first impression that I had was when he responded to my request for a quote and literally came out the next day to walk me through it. I knew then and there that he and Liaison Landscapes was the company we wanted to go with. We didnt wait to lock in a contract within the next few days. Liaison Landscapes, thank you again for making our backyard project a reality and exceeding all expectations. You should be incredibly proud about the work and also about the way you conduct yourselves as a company. I truly wish more companies (not just landscapers) held themselves to the same standards as you guys do. Not only do I highly recommend Liaison Landscapes, but I also INSIST that you go with them for your project. Seriously, please do yourself a favor and at the very least, engage with them on any sort of project idea that you have and watch their skillful expertise unfold right in front of your eyes. What do you have to lose from a simple email or call? So again, do yourself a favor, reach out to them and discuss your project and then thank me later. Youre welcome.

We couldnt be happier with the outcome of our backyard remodel - its honestly even better than we anticipated. Markus and his team are A+ to work with. Markus worked with us on a design to incorporate all the functional elements we wanted to include (firepit & seating area for smores, faux grass area for future kid play, citrus and herb garden, spot for the dog to do his thing and lighting). He came back with a clear plan and bottoms up budget that fit within our original scope. He and his team delivered, on time, from start to finish (less than 3 weeks) and we couldnt be happier with the result. We trusted Markuss eye for design and let him do his thing, which I highly recommend, especially if youre a novice like us. We knew functionally what we wanted to get out of the yard but did not have a vision for it. Markus came through and then some. His crew was also a pleasure to have at our home - very hard working and respectful of the property.

Liaison Landscapes did a fantastic job on our backyard. They started with an overgrown urban jungle with a dilapidated fence and retaining wall, and had the vision and skill to create for us a modern oasis. Markus is a pleasure to work with - he is practical and not scared of a budget. He also is knowledgeable about different types of plants and what thrives with little sun. He created an amazing team lead by Octavio to execute our backyard - they were all professional, efficient, and very pleasant to work with. Of all the vendors we worked with during our remodel, this backyard team was by far our favorite. They made the process easy and the outcome is beautiful; our backyard has a gorgeous new redwood fence, a firepit, a patio, turf for our pup, perimeter landscaping, and a little patch for a small herb garden. We highly recommend Liaison Landscapes.

My experience with Liaison Landscapes was fantastic. From the design stage through execution, they could not have been more engaged and attentive to every detail. Sean did a great job of keeping his eye on the finances. Where enhancements were suggested they made sense and were not an upsell. Both he and the onsite foreman Rene were great at identifying possible savings to the original design as well, retaining the aesthetic I wanted and not impacting quality. The outcome exceeds what I expected, and for was more than cost-effective.

We consulted with Markus on our landscape project where he came over in person multiple times and helped give us ideas on our project. He was thorough in his vision and although we ultimately went in another direction, his professionalism and attention to detail was reflected in his bid and advice that he provided. We would continue to shortlist and consider him in future projects.

The Liason Landscaping team are miracle workers. We worked with an online design firm (Yardzen) to produce an amazing design, but it was just a computer rendering without building specs. They took a pretty complex design (included fencing, a shed, paving, custom wood planter boxes) of our front yard and back yard and turned it into reality. Better yet, they did it in two weeks to get it done before a party we were hosting at our house, and right on budget. The head guy Markus came out and was really thoughtful. (He does design work himself on most jobs) Came up with great ideas (ie picking stone, designing the shed, lighting, irrigation, etc) and also improved the design. Then delivered a quote that he stuck to. The craftsmanship (Elvis is a hero) was top notch and the guys take pride in their work which really matters vs other home renovations where the key pieces are usually bought and just installed vs custom. Highly recommend them.

We had a very good experience with Liaison Landscapes and very happy with the final product. The project was not a big one. Our house is a corner lot so we have a small front yard that needed updating. They were timely with the initial visit, providing the estimate, and the final work completed. Sean was very responsive to our questions and his recommendations were appropriate and supported by clear rationale. There were a few hiccups, typical with any job, but Sean and Markus ensured everything was done according to plan. We did not feel like we were be taken advantage of nor did we feel strong armed into anything. I highly recommend them, especially given the difficulty in getting good landscapers and contractors in SF willing to do smaller projects.

We hired Liaison Landscapes to install a large decomposed granite patio with pavers set into it in our back yard. Markus and his very capable crew are a pleasure to work with - competent, experienced, on-time, friendly and fast. We are hiring them to landscape our front garden also, because we are REALLY happy with the quality of work. Do yourself a favor if you have a big yard project and contact Liaison.