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About Serenescapes

Serenescapes is a locally owned and operated full-service landscape contractor. We specialize in custom hardscapes and delightful landscapes.

We can start with a custom landscape plan to bring your visualization to life. Whether it is a custom outdoor entertainment area or a calming koi pond, we can build your ideal space.

Questions and answers

Q.
• What would you recommend customers looking to save money?
A.

• Serenescapes' best suggestion for saving money is to start with a detailed Project/Landscape plan. From this plan you can intelligently work through your potential project in phases if necessary. The next most important thing is to heed the saying "pay now or you will pay later". A competent and professional contractor will do a good job the first time. You may pay a bit more initially, but you won't have to pay XYZ Landscaping first and another guy to fix it.

Q.
• What areas of your trade do you specialize in?
A.

• Serenescapes is a full service landscape contractor. We provide services ranging from Garden maintenance to Hardscape installations. Patios, Retaining Walls, Ponds, Outdoor Entertainment Areas, Barbecue Islands, Arbors, Potting Sheds, Walkways, Landscape Steps, Decks, Paver Driveways, you have the need and a dream we can build it together. We also serve our customers by providing riparian restoration, native shrub plantings, wildlife food plot management, invasive species eradication and other specialty services.

Q.
• How many projects do you average in a year?
A.

• We probably are averaging about 20 - 30 projects in a year. We are still a small company, but don't want to get to big and lose touch with our customers. Money is not the ultimate object for our business philosophy. Customer satisfaction and a better world is.

Q.
• What do you wish customers knew about your profession or trade?
A.

• I wish more customers were educated about the basic care of a landscape. The leading culprit of misinformation is our Commercial Landscape Companies. The reason this is so unfortunate is the fact that they are also the most visible. Just about every shopping center and Mall/Mini-Mall is maintained by them. So when most of the public sees 2 feet of mulch volcanoed up on the trunk of a tree, they see that as normal. You will also see these same companies scalping the grass and topping trees. These are the things that kill plants and trees. That's not what we are here for.

Q.
• How did you get started?
A.

• We got started out of necessity. I was working as a personal Gardener for a gentleman, and had a handful of clients that I had done work for request return work, that I was unable to work a full time job and do side work. So, I started my business with my handful of customers, and depended on referrals for business. We have never had a problem finding work. If you do good work at a fair price, work will find you.

Q.
• What types of jobs are the most common?
A.

• Hardscapes are quickly becoming the most common jobs in this economy. I think this is because people are understanding that a solid investment in their current location will give the best return when our economy settles. Outdoor Living Spaces are the most popular Hardscape right now. Why not put a patio & fireplace with your house for $10,000 or under. Great Investment!

Q.
• What questions should a customer ask before hiring a professional in your trade?
A.

• Serenescapes believes in a well educated customer. So, first thing a customer should ask is how long have you been doing this work, and what credentials if any do you have. Secondly, whether the landscaper has references and photos of work are important. Insurance and or bonding is another necessary for the professional, and the customers safety. Last but not least, I feel a great question to separate the chaff is "why should I go with your company over XYZ landscapes?".

Q.
• What information do you recommend to have readily available before looking for a professional in your trade?
A.

• I would suggest looking for someone with certifications and references.I would also suggest checking out their web presence and see if you can find any ratings or customer comments about a particular company. Having color choices/preferences, material likes and dis-likes, and a basic grasp of what you desire prior to consultation is also very important.

Q.
• Tell us about the project or job that you are most proud of (in the last 12 months).
A.

• We did a beautiful Eagle Bay paver patio with double Illuminated retaining walls. We were really tight on space due to the existing shrubbery and grades of the yard. It was the earthquake and the hurricane that really set this job apart. Our project took on both and smiled :)

Q.
• What certifications or professional affiliations do you have?
A.

• Serenescapes is owned and operated by a Virginia Certified Horticulturist. We are a Commercially Certified Pesticide Applicator by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. We are currently working towards ICPI and NCMA Certifications. We are a current member of the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association.

Q.
• What are the most frequent questions you get from customers? What are the answers?
A.

• Usually the construction process is a bit blurry for the customer initially. I sit down at consultation time and cover step by step including staging of materials, locations, time schedules for project completion and building details. Most frequently asked is why is a retaining wall or patio so expensive. The basic answer I give is related to the amount of time and labor involved with proper excavation and removal of debris. Also included in this answer is the fact that it is a specialized trade. We receive a few questions regarding Riparian Restoration and what is it and why is it necessary. We explain the need for the border in short, by relating the needs of our waterways as an ecological vein of our ecosystem.

Q.
• What services do you provide your customers after the work has finished?
A.

• Serenescapes offers full Garden maintenance programs for all of our planting projects. A full craftsmanship warranty for five years following the installation of any Hardscape project is typical and can be extended for a minimal fee. We also give information on the "care of", any product or plant that we install. To most of our customers is the ever so important fact that they can call us at any time necessary, and we will return their call quickly or give great information immediately.

Q.
• What brands or products do you work with?
A.

• We install many different products. A few that we work with on a regular basis are; Eagle Bay Pavers and Retaining Wall Stones, Techo-Bloc Pavers & Retaining Wall Stones, Landscape steps from both of the above. Cambridge, Belgard, Eldorado Stone, Cultured Stone, Rhinox Barbecue Units are a few others. We only install Firestone Brand EPDM Geo-membranes for water features.

Testimonials

• March 5, 2012

  I met Mr. Shrieves several years back, when he was just starting his business. He has completed several projects at my home - all successful. In addition to design and general maintenance, he built and landscaped a large Koi pond and assembled a modest-sized greenhouse.
  
  He is honest, fair priced and reliable; qualities that are rare today. If he gives you my name, contact me.

  - Connelly