Apex Landscape and Brick Services LLC

I was familiar with the quality of Ryan's work because he did a paver patio at my daughter's house. Therefore, I was delighted that he was able to fit me in to his busy schedule. After an initial consultation, Ryan developed and emailed me his drawings. We emailed back and forth tweaking the design until we agreed on a final plan that was within my budget. I appreciated being able to work with him via email because I could review changes at times convenient to me. Sometimes, I wasn't available to look at anything until 2:00 a.m. Given my schedule, I would not have been able to have a completed project if I had to work within conventional business hours. Ryan has good ideas and top quality workmanship. Once my project was started, it was worked on until it was done. I appreciated being able to leave knowing that everything was being executed properly. My project included pavers for a 16' x 20' patio with a knockout area for the grill, new front walks and driveway, removing two dead trees, transplanting shrubbery and modifying the front porch. Ryan did some additional things just because they enhanced the project. He was also considerate of my 65 pound Norwegian Elkhound. I look forward to working with Ryan on Phase 2 of my landscape renovation.

I would strongly recommend that you consider other contractors. We consistently had a difficult time getting in touch with Ryan after our initial contract was signed and a deposit was made. We had a large landscaping project (~$50k) scheduled to start in August of 2016. After Thanksgiving of 2016, we finally "fired" Apex as they were rarely showing up. We would contact Ryan again and again and each time would be told that "they were on the way" and "should be done this week" and "I'll have guys out this week" and those guys never really materialized. We had one week of consistent work. We asked at the beginning of the project if they would work on our project without interruptions from other projects and were told "yes". Then found out that Ryan worked in lots of other projects, which is a part of the reason our project ran for 3+ months. Now it is 2017 and I am faced with a mud pit, a field of trash and debris, and a half finished project that is going to double in cost. The work that Apex did complete has been evaluated by the new contractors we are evaluating as needing to be re-done due to shoddy construction and improper installation. I can't tell you how disappointed we are given the length of time we saved money for this project, how much planning and discussion went into this project, and how much time we spent trying to get in touch with Ryan. Before we started the project, I addressed some reservations I had developed based on my own research into Apex. Ryan had a reasonable explanation and told me that he had hired a new foreman which would help with the fact that he had been short-staffed. Our experience is that the new hire does not seem to have helped with his professionalism and ability to complete projects. We liked Ryan personally and he has great ideas. But, I would highly recommend that you look elsewhere for a company to actually complete the work.

Got a quote for work on improving our grading around the house and redoing our gutters. Quoted about $2000 for the work. This was in July. No rush we told them, just want to ensure we fix our basement water leaks in time for the winter. 2 -3 weeks quoted for time to begin work. Then contacted in August since I didn't hear back for 3 weeks. Contacted again and again multiple times. They didn't return my texts, phone calls or emails. When I finally did get a hold of them on Monday this week (Sep 19) They promised to show on Wed (Sep 21). I asked for a time and they said 830. 10 am still no show. Finally heard they would be coming at 1230 since 3 guys didn't showup to work. Didn't hear back all day. Finally called office, mobile and texted and got a response saying they would definitely be out Thu 22. I didn't hold my breath. What time? I asked they notify me by 8 so I could arrange for my kids school and work driving. Didn't hear until I started texting again. "we'll be there at 930" Again nothing. "Oh we need a trencher, we'll be there by 1230" Again nothing. Called at 1 - "oh we are just getting trencher now and need to get some guys". I told them to forget about it. We cancelled. My wife and I were terrified that if it took this much effort to communicate with them before they did work - it would be an absolute nightmare if we needed them to come out for anything else like repair work or future jobs. Owner apologized to me saying it was " hard to fit in small jobs". This is business 101. You treat your customers right for small things and they'll come back again. They'll be loyal and come back for the big stuff. If you can't do the small things right, I won't trust you to do anything else. I waited 2 months for my "small job" to get done. I recommend looking elsewhere like we did.

We signed a contract and paid a down payment to Ryan from Apex in February to install a fire hearth. He has said they were coming on 6 separate occasions and neither him nor his crew showed up. In addition, Apex damaged our sprinkler system last year, which resulted in a large water bill, so that too needs to be fixed. We have been unable to use our sprinkler system at all this entire spring. Ryan has given us many excuses and will then just not show up or return our phone calls for periods of time. My husband and I have taken off work on several occasions to meet them at our home. Just yesterday, he said that he was coming in 45 minutes and needed the water turned on. My husband left work to do this and he never showed up. Very unprofessional company.

Buyer beware!!! Only reason he was given one star is that we had to list something. Initial consultation in late fall (2015) went well and we decided to proceed with the project and gave Ryan (the owner) a $4000 deposit in good faith. That is when the problems began and they continue. Work was to start in two weeks and as of late May (2016) the project has yet to be completed. Multiple requests for a refund our deposit have not resulted in a refund. Obviously nothing could happen in the winter months although we expected the project to start immediately in the spring. Ryan has promised many times to start the project and finish immediately but he has never kept his word. Unfortunately, we will have to seek legal action to get our deposit back.

We hired Apex initially for patio and landscaping work. They worked well incorporating our needs and desires into something that worked within our budget. They have great ideas, excellent execution and phenomenal customer service. They were just great to work with. We have had them come back for repairs and additional landscape work and were served with the same quality and efficiency. We highly recommend them and will continue to use them as needs arise.

My wife and hired Ryan to totally re-vamp our back patio. He and his team did an excellent job on the installation and initially we were very satisfied and would have recommended him to anyone. 12 months after the install our patio started to settle in numerous areas and was no longer slopping away from my house. This became obvious every-time it rained. Ryan can out one time to fix one area but has failed to return and repair the balance after promising to do so for over 6 months. This has been very frustrating for my wife and myself since promises have been made numerous times to repair the area that required it.

Ryan did quite an amazing job on our patio. We couldn't be happier with the results. We asked for a concrete paver with a seating wall and a firepit. Ryan and his team was able to complete it within 3 days. We didn't really get any plants outside the four that you can see on the pictures. I figured that we can probably plan our own when Spring comes around.

I saw a photo of Ryan's work here on houzz and really liked his hardscaping design and work. I am now working on ideas and planning for a paver patio that I want installed so I sent Ryan a message with a few questions I had. Despite knowing I was out of state he responded quickly. I even ended up talking with him on the phone after he offered to talk to me. He answered all my questions, was very informative and gave me some great ideas! Great Consultation!!!!

Really disappointing. Apex planted the azaleas and finished the brick paver work in October, 2013. See photos of sickly bushes and pavers where seal has completely disappeared. The company has ignored pleas to come back and honor the guarantee. We're requesting a refund.

After meeting with Ryan and working with him to design your project, you really like him, and you determine that you really want to work with him. Unfortunately, the warm, fuzzy feeling that you have found a great contractor quickly wears off after numerous failed attempts to get a final price for your project (after close to 2 months), a potential starting date and finally the drawings of your project that you gave someone $150 to complete. Too bad that you have to review someone based on how absolutely horrible their customer service is rather than on their actual work. Multiple times we were told we were going to receive a final quote and images of the project. This never happened. Every time we were told that, “Oh yeah, I will send that right over, I have been so busy.” Guess what. Everyone is busy and nobody cares. On the final call to Ryan we were once again told that he would send a copy of layout/design right over. It still hasn’t arrived. In our minds, it was a waste of money, time and energy. He once told us that, “Why would anyone want to work with someone who wasn’t busy?” Well, we may want to work with someone who is busy, but who wants to work with someone who is unable to appreciate a customer’s time. Save yourself the hassle and time wasted!

Initial call went very well. Ryan took the time to describe several material options and direct me to his site and this one. Went ahead and scheduled first quote in just a few days. This is where the problems started. With an hour to go to 1st appointment, I got a call from Ryan requesting a reschedule to just a few days later. Having to leave work an hour early to make this 1st appointment, I was disapointed to say the least but accomodated Ryan. 2nd appointment slated for just a few days later, Ryan again called 1 hour prior just to confirm. Everything was all set and I waited. And waited. And waited. He never showed, and never answered his cell phone that evening or ever again after this. He couldnt bring himself to answer his phone yet the next day after the missed 2nd appointment, he pocket dialed me by mistake so I knew he was still out and about and not in a hospital somewhere. Despite all this I felt compelled to offer Ryan a 3rd opportunity by calling him again this past Saturday to offer him one last 3rd opportunity to quote the job. Of course he didnt answer so I left a voicemail. It's now 4 days later and still no call back. Quite a shock to go from a seemingly helpful contractor to one who cant keep appointments, leaves you waiting, and wont give you the courtesy of a call back or explanation. My father has been a professional general and finish carpenter for the past 30 years and would never treat a potential or past customer like this. Ryan might do good work, if you can get get him to return a call or show up for a scheduled appointment. 29Aug2014 update: After a delay in the project this summer while I dealt with a neighbor whose tree's bordering the property line may have influenced the job, I came back to this driveway & paver project and hired another concrete contractor to do the bulk of the driveway but still wanted to do a paver driveway border, walkway, and front porch area. After receiving several quotes from other vendors, I attended a local seminar hosted by Unilock at a local Unilock distributor. At the class I described my earlier problems with Apex and both the Unilock rep and the salesmen for the Unilock distributor both gave Ryan at Apex high recommendations and urged me to give Apex another try. Either the rep or distributor passed along my information again to Ryan who contacted me promptly the next day. I explained my position that I was about to hire or do the job myself and we arranged a meeting for the very next morning. Ryan arrived promptly at 8am the next morning and had my quote completed in 24hrs as requested. From my earlier review, it looks like May was just a really bad time for Ryan at Apex and everything so far has been resolved. It remains to be seen if I do hire Apex as I'm still considering all my options, but given the improved service so far, it's only fair I revise my earlier 1-star review. If I could rate 3.5 stars I would have. I cant say great job (yet), but I would at least suggest giving Ryan a chance at quoting your job.