Terracare Landscaping
Oakland, NJ 07436
Testimonials
Gary Kayal – what can I say, the guy’s an artist…really. Let me tell you how I met Gary and how Terracare has become one of my most trusted and reliable contractors.
I’m an Engineer and a bit of a frustrated architect myself. So I drew up some plans of what I thought would be a good layout for my patio and retaining walls. I made copies of the drawing, picked out a patio block, and had six contractors take the spec and bid on it. What I got back, was basically, prices – except for what I got from Terracare.
Gary looked at the drawing, called me and basically said – “look…I can do this, if this is what you want – but let me make some suggestions.” He then proceeded to elaborate on a design that was far beyond the basic “brick wall and patio” that I had designed, and completely transformed my plan into a much more appealing ergonomic design.
You have to give Gary credit for having the confidence to tell you that your idea is good – but can be so much better. And that’s the thing about Gary – he can take a project, and completely transform it into a piece of art.
No, Gary’s bid was not the lowest I received – in fact he told me the first time we talked that if I’m just looking for price, Terracare wasn’t right for me. Again – a credit to Gary’s character – honest and straightforward.
But here’s the thing…Gary’s bid was by far the best because it was well worth every penny – Gary is not only an artist, he also delivers what he promises. He’s got a genuine eye for landscaping and how it should interface with your home, your yard, your life-style. His crews are always efficient, respectful of your property and privacy, and always secured the safety of the site. He delivered the project on time, as promised.
After our first project with Terracare, we’ve done several others. We’ve recommended him countless times, and never hesitate to call him for a suggestion. Gary is our “guy,” and Terracare is our landscape company. I can always count on him for a fair price, efficient service, and most importantly, his creativity.
That’s why I use Terracare – Gary Kayal – he’s the best in the business....hands down.
Dear Gary,
I just wanted to express my gratitude to you and your crew. My backyard is spectacular and beyond what I had hoped for. I truly appreciate the time and effort you and your staff put in working within my budget while maximizing the results.
I was extremely impressed with your overall design for my entire property taking into account my current budget and future desires. The fact that you broke that overall plan into sections with multiple budget points and open-ended timeline was most helpful in our decision process.
I would recommend Terracare’s services without hesitation to anyone who is interested in top notch service, extraordinary vision and dependability!
Thanks again for all your help, and I look forward to the next project.
Dear Gary:
As you know, in 2003, after moving 6 previous times, Kim and I decided to purchase a piece of property in Franklin Lakes, NJ and build our “dream home”. After purchasing a one-acre lot, hiring a team of architects, and designing our home from scratch, it came time to choose a builder. To make that decision, we interviewed different “high-end” builders, looked at some of their work, talked to references and contractors and then decided on perhaps the most well-known, respected and accomplished builder in town, Leonard Divak from Leonard Developers, LLC. Well, his work speaks for itself, and as you’re very well aware, we’re just thrilled with our new home and the quality of his workmanship.
Two years later, when our home construction was complete and it came time to do the outside hardscape and landscape, Leonard gave us a choice: we could either have him take care of everything for a “set allowance” or we could deduct that allowance from our project with him and customize our own landscape/hardscape with our own independent contractor whom we would then deal with directly. Well, as important as it was for us to find the best homebuilder in the area, it was equally as important to us to find the best landscaper/designer/builder in the area as well. We certainly were NOT going to “cheapen” our “dream house” by cutting corners with poor-quality, second-rate and inappropriate landscaping/hardscaping, but rather, felt that we would even accentuate our home even more so by appropriately “dressing it up” with properly chosen, customized, and “cherry-picked” high caliber landscape/hardscape and outside lighting. Both of us being in the medical field, we knew what we wanted but didn’t know how to attain it. We knew the look that we wanted to achieve, but we needed a “professional designer” similar to the professional interior designer we used inside our home.
Well, as you know, our decision to choose you was one that we never even second-guessed. Not even once. Not even for a second. You and your crew have been with us from the beginning of our marriage to one another, over 12 years ago. You have traveled with us, as we traveled from home to home. You have served our needs in each home, both big and small. From major landscaping projects and renovations, to maintenance, to Spring and Fall clean-ups, to snow-plowing, to leaf-blowing, to specimen selection and customization, from perennials to annuals to evergreens, to walkways, driveways, decks, patios, pavers, railroad ties, “engineered” retaining walls, QP, soil transport and fill, excavation, tree and shrub pruning, large tree installation and moving, trenches, conduit installation, sprinkler and fence installations, evergreen varieties, privacy screens, buffers, sod, mulch, beds, landscape lighting, path lighting, house lighting, soldier course, Belgium and Belgique block, pool and Jacuzzi design, steps, bluestone, landscape rocks, moss rocks, specimen pieces, bronze statues, flag poles, driveway pillars, driveway gates, swing sets, play areas, trampolines, soccer goals, basketball hoops, and the list can go on and on. And, all is installed in such a gifted, masterly, proficient, meticulous and adept fashion. Your knowledge, expertise and talent is very impressive, to say the least.
Well, needless to say, Kim and I made our decision before Leonard could even finish presenting the option to us. There was no question in our minds. There was no way that anyone else was even going to bid on our job. We knew that only someone with your experience and expertise could properly advise us and guide us through the decision-making processes. It’s unfortunate that so many others don’t do this. Too many people try to do this themselves and too many people “cut corners” trying to save money on their landscape/hardscape only to end up with an unappealing result or walls that collapse, or pavers that settle or shift, etc. How many times have you seen a beautifully designed and built home, only to be surrounded by inappropriate, unfitting, unbecoming, cheap or improperly installed hardscape and/or landscaping? It’s sad, but too many people just don’t know and/or they’re taken advantage of by their builder and/or landscape builder/designer. Throughout the last 12 years, you and your crew had established such a sense of trust and camaraderie with my wife, my kids and me as well. In addition, we have found you and your staff to be very appropriate, considerate, respectful, approachable, reliable and responsive to our needs over the years. It is readily apparent that customer satisfaction is, and always has been, of the utmost importance to each and every one of the Terracare, Inc. employees. So, for us, money was not the issue. It was all about the best in quality. We wanted nothing but the crème de la crème. We only wanted a perfectionist, a master craftsman, designer and installer. We only wanted Terracare, Inc. We only wanted Gary C. Kayal. Period.
So, Gary, it is with great pride and pleasure that I write this letter of reference to commend your outstanding work and expertise in the field of landscape design and construction. My wife and I could not be more thrilled with our entire experience with you and your team of professionals at Terracare, Inc over the past almost 13 years. We certainly got what we had hoped for (and more) with Terracare, Inc., and, we could never thank you enough for all that you have done for us. I must say, as we embarked on our three-year project of designing and building our “dream home” back in 2003, I honestly felt a bit “lost” and overwhelmed with the entire ordeal, but you put my mind at ease and guided me through each step along the way with your incredible knowledge and understanding.
If we could ever be of any assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us. Certainly, please feel free to use our home as a “showcase” of some of your spectacular accomplishments. We are both very, very proud of your work and would consider it an honor and pleasure to commend you and Terracare, Inc. highly and without reservation.
Sincerely yours,