I think we would give 2.5 stars if we could, since the overall experience/product felt about…read moreaverage. We hired The NL Group in April 2021 to build a backyard patio and hired them again in September 2021 to construct a side yard paver path (photo #1) + front entry paver path (photo #2) - in all, we spent around $37k with NL Group. In both cases, landscaping and other tasks were also completed. Prior to kicking off the project, the communication and design were amazing - we loved the YouTube video they sent us to give a real feel of what things would look like. Unfortunately, we've had several issues arise since then. The paver stones in the front and backyard were supposed to be exact matches - however, while they matched the color they used a different, textured tile (photo #3) in the front + side that didn't match our back pavers, which are smooth. This isn't a huge deal since they are separate areas, but they were unaware of it until we pointed it out to them - it made us uneasy about what other items might be overlooked. On our front door pavers and large limestone pieces, there was some type of adhesive that dripped/leaked and didn't clean it up well - so it stained an area of the paver. When we mentioned it to them, they didn't address it but told us to buy an acid to remove the adhesive. We had to go through 3 acids/cleaners before we were able to get the majority of the stain removed. The large limestone pieces by our front door continually have efflorescence that does not go away with different acids and a pressure washer - not ideal for pieces that are supposed to be beautiful for the front door entrance. Possibly most concerning is the polymeric sand that goes between the pavers to prevent water getting under the pavers and keeps things sealed - it has already completely washed away in several places (photos 4, 5, 6, 7). This resulted in moss/grasses/weeds growing on the patio's seams between paver bricks (photo 8). There are also areas where the pavers appear to have 'sunk' or shifted (photo 9) since rainwater can now get under the pavers and wash away the fine granular sands that are in the sub-base of the pavers. On our side path, our initial quote didn't include the need for a retaining wall to hold up or raise the side path. However, when they began construction, they told us we would need a small retaining wall (photo 1). Kudus to them, they did not charge us for the stones of the retaining wall because they recognized it was their error, but we had to chose from extra supplies they had left over from different projects. So were unable to pick materials without absorbing a big additional cost. Another overlooked aspect on their part... The landscaping initially looking AMAZING after installation, but within a few months things looked concerning. They came back once (at our expense) and replaced several of the plants/trees that didn't survive and we were told they didn't realize how much clay was in our soil - if they did realize we had sub-par soil and high amounts of clay, they would have done it differently the first time. We even paid to have 3 cubic yards of new, better soil used, while they removed the 'bad' soil. When the crews arrived to do the fixes, the workers told me they brought 2 cubic yards of new soil, even though we paid for 3 cubic yards. Nonetheless, even the replacement plants have not thrived in the areas new soil was used. While doing this replacement of plants, it was decided some of the dead plants/trees (photo with no number) should be replaced with other plants that do well in 'bad' soils. Upon completing this, they told us the new plants came with a bill of $200. At no point did anyone ever tell us the plants that were under warranty would be replaced with plants that cost us MORE money. We refused to pay this. We've had to replace/relocate several of the plants/flowers/bushes ourselves. I would have been inclined to trust the professional landscapers when they said we just had bad soil - but we have had success when we've relocated plants ourselves and followed the directions of our local garden centers. In talking with our local garden centers, we realized several of the plants they planted didn't make sense for the locations in which they were planted (plants that thrive in sun being located in high shade areas under the deck, plants that don't like wet soils in low spots where water pools, incorrect sized plants for spaces, etc.). Photo 10 shows a plant located under the deck, where the left side with blue circle get light - plant looks fine. But the right half of photo 10 with red circle shows where the house blocks sun and it has almost zero foliage. We tried to follow-up on the issues we've experienced, especially with the landscaping, as most garden centers provide a 1-year warranty on perennials/trees but it was not priority for them to make things right. We were told to give plants/trees time to grow and mature, but not many pieces improved.

I highly recommend NL Group. We hired them to install a new large patio and it is gorgeous. They…read moreare professional, hard working, and talented. The entire team went above and beyond and my real estate agent friend told us that our project added value to the house! Our hardscape job and Belgard pavers look so high end. Thank you again!