10/21/08

Well done professional work with a personal touch.

by CurtisWJones

Nature's Realm has just finished landscaping our front yard in West University. The yard looks GREAT and we've been very pleased with the service provided by Nature's Realm and owner Kevin Boyd.

During the design process Kevin took the time to understand what we liked (driving around together, sharing pictures, etc.) and then he worked with a top landscape architect to generate a detailed plan. When Kevin presented me with his cost estimate it was a bit higher than I'd expected (or maybe hoped), but after a bit of behind the scenes due diligence and some discussions with Kevin I was comfortable that it was a fair price.

During the execution phase Kevin treated the project as if he was doing his own yard. He personally supervised, and worked on, the job and there were a number of times where we observed him telling his workers to re-do something in an effort to ensure it was done 100% right. We ran into some irrigation system surprises while preparing for paver installations, Kevin handled this well and involved me in the decision making process whenever there was a cost impact. Throughout the project Kevin was candid with suggested tweaks and changes and when I proposed ideas that he felt wouldn't work - he didn't hesitate to "push back" in an attempt to ensure that the right decision was taken. In the end our front yard came out beautiful and we are very pleased with what it's added to our home. We plan to use him for our backyard project later this year.

Nature's Realm invoicing was done on a milestone basis and the overall price was on target; the invoices matched the original estimate and any minor variations (up or down) were fully explained.

• Pros: Personal involvement, professional planning process & good / consistent communications
• Cons: Not the least expensive (however the value is demonstrated by excellent results)

09/28/08

No wonder it was rated #1 by CitySearch!!

by jcjhu

We coulnd't be happier with the end result!! We were searching for a landscaper to turn our weed-infested, unused, postage-stamp-sized Bellaire backyard into a beautiful oasis, and Nature?s Realm delivered better than we would have ever imagined! Learning about the company from the reviews below, we cold-called Kevin and were immediately impressed with his knowledge, passion, attention to detail, and willingness to work with us. He does all the work with him on-site, so you can really trust what he promises is what he delivers ? he?s not a contractor who orders others to do the work while he goes off finding more business somewhere else ? and that responsiveness sets him apart from most in the industry (before, during, and even after the project). We believe his hands-on approach separates him from the others. He is educated in so many areas (landscape design, horticulture, irrigation, and dendrology), which helps coordinate the entire landscape. He developed and brought to life a fantastic plan that incorporated water features, soft scapes, new trees, a raised garden bed, a pergola, hanging baskets, flower beds ? you name it. He was able to navigate occasional obstacles very nimbly. The difference ?before? and ?after? is simply incredible ? he turned an eyesore into something our friends rave about and we enjoy every day. This was the perfect final touch to our new house. We highly recommend Nature?s Realm to anyone looking to beautify their residence.

06/17/08

Living a dream...

by lizard_94

We have CURB APPEAL!!! All of our friends and neighbors walk, drive, cycle, skip, and hop by to shout their praises! Spectacular! Outstanding! Wonderful! Some drivers do double drive-bys! At least 2-3 people stop by daily and ask for my landscapers name. It's that fantastic! And Nature's Realm made it all possible. Kevin Boyd, the owner, is so passionate about his job. He treats your project with such great care from start to finish and beyond. (He responds to all questions/calls/e-mails) This guy is so energetic. He manages his team with true work ethic and troubleshoots like the engineer he is! He renovated/redesigned our front, back, and side yards. Now, we have a fish pond, fountain, bridge, dry creek bed, 4 sitting areas and tons of beautiful plants. It's a lot of "WOW" but not much maintenance. He designed it so that we could enjoy it but not be burdened by it. He even designed an irrigation system to meet our needs. He does it all with lots of energy, attention to details and commitment to service. Not only that, Nature's Realm sticks to the budget. Kevin's pricing is fair and well deserved. He really provides the best!

This small company will exceed all of your landscaping dreams. We know because we are living the dream! The dream was to work closely with someone who would be attentive to our needs and desires. Done! We wanted a creative design. Done! We wanted our project to be completed in a timely manner. Done! We wanted someone who had solid contacts with qualified contractors. Done! We wanted aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces. Done! We wanted extraordinary plants and trees. Done!

So, contact NATURE'S REALM today. Get in line. Wait your turn. You will be WOWed!

• Pros: detail, work ethic, customer service, follows through with persistence, plant quality &selection