Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture
About Us
7x Best of Houzz!
Services Provided
3D Rendering, Custom Bocce Ball Courts, Custom Fire Pits, Custom Water Features, Deck Design, Design Consultation, Drafting, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Edible Gardens, Garden Design, Gazebo Design & Construction, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Landscape Plans, Natural Swimming Pools, Organic Gardens, Outdoor Lighting Design, Patio Design, Pool Landscaping, Site Planning, Swimming Pool Design, Construction Drawings, WELO compliance, Pergola & Cabana Design, HOA Design, Custom Residential Retreats, Landscape Budgeting, Masonry Design, Irrigation Design, Lawn Conversion Design, Landscape Lighting Design, Outdoor Kitchen/Bar Island Design, Planting Design, Contractor Selection/Project Oversight, Lawn Conversion/Replacement
Areas Served
Alamo, Berkeley, Blackhawk, Castro Valley, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Dublin, Fremont, Hayward, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, San Francisco, Sunol, San Francisco Bay Area, East Bay, Napa County, Sonoma County, South Bay
Awards
Member ASLA Member APLD Member CLCA
Category
Business Details
Business Name
Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture
Phone Number
(925) 806-0643
Address
San Ramon, CA 94583
Typical Job Cost
$50,000 - 500,000
License Number
3893
31 Reviews for Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture
DESIGN: With all of our clients, including this client, we provide a collaborative and iterative design process allowing our clients to make decisions during every step of the design process. We start with a concept plan and budget showing the intended shape of the design based on their specific desires. After gaining client approval, we go to the next design step where we refine the design, and start to choose plants and lighting. Once again, after gaining client approval we finalize the plan set to include the final planting plan, lighting plan, irrigation plan and other details. This client was involved with every aspect and approval of all features of this design process.
BARK & PLANTS SELECTION: As stated in the design process, we formulate recommendations and refine selections of materials and plants based on our client’s desires and receive the client’s final approval. Specifically, we showed this client many drought tolerant plant options and we used those plants that James chose. We also informed this client (and all of our clients) to expect about a three year fill in period between plant installation and plant fullness/maturity. This client pointed out that it’s been less than one year since the plants were installed, so his plants have 2 more years to reach maturity. Because it’s early in the growth cycle, of course the growth still looks sparse. Note that we’ve had an exceptionally dry year, so that also affects plant growth rates. Regarding the non-plant materials, we spent time with this client at a masonry yard looking at options to choose specific landscape materials such as gravel, boulders, flagstone and bark mulch…and James approved these selections too.
IRRIGATION: This client is correct in the fact that there were leaks in the newly installed system that had to be resolved. But these leaks were not the result of a faulty design. To resolve the irrigation installation difficulties, and at no cost to the client, a professional irrigation auditor was engaged to inspect and provide solutions for repairing the installation. After these repairs were implemented, the auditor conducted a final inspection and the leaks stopped.
CHOICE of LANDSCAPER: As a point of clarification – the landscaper is not part of my team and does not work for my design/landscape architect company – we are separate companies. If the client asks, we will provide landscapers for the client to consider, but we do not select the landscaper for our clients. The client has the responsibility to interview and make the choice of landscaper, and then contracts directly with the landscaper they chose. This is the process that this client followed.
SUMMARY: This client was involved in the design, the selections of what was installed, and chose the landscaper who did the work. Based on what the client wrote, it is clear that the client wants to accept no responsibility for selecting and approving everything along the way.
FINAL COMMENTS: At SFLA, we work hard to get the best results for our clients and are very proud of the positive feedback we have received on Houzz with a rating of over 4.7 satisfaction from our clients. Our customer satisfaction rating is a stronger indication of how we perform, rather than this client’s review which is not a full representation of the facts. Our customer reviews speaks loudly and I believe that in 2 – 3 years when the plants mature, this client will actually love the results.
4 Ideabooks
Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars |