Green Jay Landscape Design

Jay Archer is PhD Level Horticulturist AND expert in land/aquatic “Scape”! I recommend Jay as an authoritarian and a trusted professional.

We met with Jay several times to discuss building a retaining wall across my severely sloping backyard. They charged $250 for the initial consultation which was in line with what other landscapers charged. Jay has many years of experience in the field, something that he highlights frequently through numerous stories of past projects. During the consultation, we were upfront about our budget (around $50k) and showed him estimates we had received from other landscapers that came in well under that ($25k - $30k). While we figured Green Jay Landscaping would cost more, their years of experience persuaded us to pay them $2400 to work up a site plan proposal (just a proposal, no drawings for the village planning boards or building department). What they delivered weeks later was a poster board with some printouts of plants. Jay told us how many people (engineers, architects, etc) were working on our project and how he's consulted with the building department in order to figure out what could be done. While all this sounded very comprehensive and impressive, at the end of the day we only had the start of a landscaping plan (basically the plants they would use) and nothing more. A few more weeks of pestering Jay for a proposal and a cost estimate to build the wall, I receive a text from him stating that it would cost $140k to build our wall which is almost triple our budget and 4x the amount of other estimates (in all fairness, Jay was proposing something much larger and grander than what other landscapers had proposed). Still, this estimate was delivered via a text with no explanation. After expressing my dissatisfaction, Jay did return to give a fuller explanation in person and to propose a much more scaled down project. What Jay proposed did sound more reasonable but he wanted another $800 to develop the proposal for this scaled down project (he explained that we had used up our $2400 due to the number of hours they spent consulting engineers and others for our original project). While I believe Jay tried to develop a proposal for a project that in the end would make us exceptionally happy, he failed to deliver anything of value for the $2650 total we spent. Given Jay's extensive experience, I would have expected him to tell us fairly quickly what would be possible within our budget. In other words, Jay should not have needed to spend $2400 consulting engineers and others to figure out that the original idea for the location of the retaining wall was not within our $50k budget.

This team really knows their stuff! You just need to describe to them what you want and they make it happen. Great service, great outcome, courteous and reliable, highly recommend!

Green Jay offers a unique product in both design and implementation. They were not the lowest quote we received for our project, but Jay's work is on a different level from most landscapers. His enthusiasm for his work is infectious. He transformed our landscaping into something that is interesting and sustainable. Jay started our project when he said he would and finished on time. He has also continues to check in on the work to make sure that the landscaping is thriving. Our experience working with Green Jay in the past has taught us that their work will be easy to maintain, something that shouldn't be overlooked when considering value.

I called Jay to re-imagine a problem garden that needed to be beautiful in four seasons. Other professionals have tried and failed. I have now lived with the garden for a year, and I have to say it has been beautiful every day., In addition, he took plants that hadn't worked in that garden, re-imagined the whole look of my property and used them to enhance and create additional gardens and borders. He added river rocks in places that were previously awkward, and really re-balanced the whole property aesthetically. After a year everything has survived with minimal care and the whole place looks fantastic. At first I thought it was pricy, but now I feel as if I got a really good deal. Jay really knows what he is doing, and he and his crew are great to work with.

Jay and his team did a great job on planning and re-doing our driveway and other plantings. I highly recommend him for any landscaping project. He has advise us on tree removal, water leaks, mulching, and re-design of our front lawn.

Jay and his organization is totally committed to providing creative landscaping in well thought out arrangements for fair pricing. If you are tired of the usual I would have him discus his ideas with you.

I cannot speak highly enough about Jay. Professional, passionate, and deeply committed to environmentally beneficial design. He cares just as much about sustainability as aesthetics, and he did a good job of balancing our vision with his own. His crew clearly respects him as well, which is always a good sign. Already planning to work with him again in the future!

I have been a client of Green Jay Landscaping for four years. Besides our landscaping and tree and shrub care we have had several projects done as well as tree and shrubs planted. We have had a perennial garden planted and a rose garden by our patio as well as stonework. Jay Archer is passionate and knowledgeable about ecological gardening. Everyone that works for Green Jay is friendly and knowledgeable as well. I would rate the quality of work they have done as extremely high. My property continues to look better and better!

Jay has demonstrated huge flexibility in terms of working with us - when to meet, what to do / what services to provide, how to phase the work we want, etc. He's also been able to bring experts in related areas to help - sprinkler system, arborist, agronomist - to analyze soil samples. And he's also a pretty pleasant guy. And so it's clear, we started with Jay last summer (2016) and are continuing this year.

Jay is an expert in gardening and horticulture, with an emphasis on ecologically-minded practice. He and his team work very well in tailoring an owner-specific program depending on the individual's needs. They will work within your budget. They are responsive, attentive and do not push you into doing things you aren't comfortable with. They have created a beautiful outdoor environment for our family; one that is free of chemicals, lush, attractive, colorful, and well-maintained. We have a wide variety of birds and butterflies, which signify that our property is thriving. Our experience has been excellent!! We love Green Jay.

Have been working with Green Jay for six years and am delighted to find someone who is sensitive to the environment and manages our small property with great care. He created a lovely perennial garden, designed to attract butterflies, bees, and birds, and it is a joy to sit and watch the activity.