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

11/18/07

Not responsive

by ruloko

The reviews here prompted me to check out Natures Realm. I called and spoke to Kevin about some work I needed done, and he asked me to fill out his online form. I did that and waited to hear from him, but I didn't so after 1 1/2 weeks I called and emailed him. He emailed me that my online form sort of fell through the cracks. He said he would call schedule a time to see me. I still didn't hear from him. I sent an email to see when he might be contacting me. He responded that he couldn't come out for another week because it was a very busy time. At this point , after 3 weeks of trying to schedule him to come out, I pretty much doubted I would hear from him in a week so I moved on. When customer service starts out this poorly I don't expect it to get any better. Maybe a $5000 job was too small. I have to say this isn't the only landscaping company like this. They seem to be looking for big jobs, and when they finish the big projects they call you 2 months later when business slows down. Guess it's just the nature of the business.

• Pros: The projects on their website looked great.
• Cons: Slow to respond.

09/04/07

Responsive, Friendly, and Reasonable

by altap

This has been my first encounter with landscaping services, and I have to say it was made simple by Nature's Realm. I had attempted to contact another landscaper who did our communcal landscaping for the townhome property I live at, and never received a response. In contrast, Nature's Realm contacted me as soon as they could, took the time to survey my landscape before providing me a quote, were timely, and did a great job. They were also very reasonably priced, and didn't suggest more services than I needed or wanted. I plan to use them again for my semi-annual maintenance. No task seemed too small for Nature's Realm, which made me feel comfortable in asking them to assist me with maintenance and upkeep.

06/17/07

Very talented landscaper

by maniar98

Nature' s Realm has transformed our small front yard from a boring barren space to a beautiful space. This was not an easy job. There were different challenges. The soil was bad, there was cable wiring running to a cable junction box and the front yard was part of a shared space.

Kevin showed great patience in answering our questions. Great flexiblity was also demonstrated; changes were made to the original design plan based on our feedback. During the first meeting it was easy to detect the dedication and enthusiasim Kevin bought to his work.

From an overall perspective Kevin is an outstanding landscaper.

• Pros: Enthusiastic and Knowledgeable
• Cons: None

04/30/07

A little bit of everything

by mshelley

Several months ago, I had a great house and a lousy yard and no idea what to do. I found Nature's Realm thru citysearch and gave them a call. Soon I had a detailed, beautiful landscape plan that reflected my wants and needs. They even worked in a raised bed for vegetables and herbs in addition to all the flowers and shrubs. I love watching the birds splash and play in their fabulous new bath and I spend more time outside now than I would have ever imagined. I am very happy with my new landscape and learned allot along the way. I highly recommend this company.

• Pros: Multi talented.
• Cons: Zip

04/26/07

Nature's Realm

by ericeddieterry

After conducting an extensive remodel of my home in West University, the last project left was to take my landscape design prepared by a highly regarded landscape architect and bring the design to life. Having hire all kinds of trade people from my remodel project, I was reluctant to allow ?just anyone? to installed this project. The architect of the landscape designed was expensive. I spoke with some of the landscape companies operating in the area, none made me feel comfortable. Luckily, a friend recommended Nature?s Realm. After speaking with owner Kevin a couple times, I felt comfortable that he was knowledge in his field and that he took pride in the worked that he did. As it turned out, I was right. After accepting a couple recommendations to enhance the landscape design, the 2-week project went smooth, and my plants are thriving. The design included over 1300 plants. I could not be more pleased with the outcome!

• Pros: works for me...
• Cons: none really

04/19/07

The best decision I have made in ages...

by cinbox

They created a gorgeous, beautiful retreat in my backyard that I look forward to everyday. This company is professional, friendly and most of all -- gifted. There are few places more beautiful than my new back yard.

• Pros: A truly beautiful job
• Cons: not a one

04/18/07

Amazing Job!

by kevynb

I had multiple bids for some guttering and drainage work and nobody beat their price. Some of those quotes were crazy by comparison. They did the guttering and my drainage system in 2 days! Very professional. We have no more yucky mud pits! These guys did a great job !

• Pros: Price, Staff and Speed!
• Cons: none!!!