Reviews
Rick is one of the most talented landscape architects I work with. Rick is aware of the weather and climate conditions in Utah which he takes in account when choosing nursery stock. Rick is also very knowledgeable with drought tolerant plants. Rick is very conscious of the environment and what possible changes may occur when it is changed. Rick follows the current trends when creating an enjoyable living space. Rick provides a digital 3D design of his projects. This allows him to make any modifications that the homeowner or landscape contractor like myself requests. Landscape designs are unique for each client and Rick has the qualified skills to devise a plan.
Rick designed the landscaping plans for my yard several years ago. I feel I was way overcharged. He drew up a plan that didn't even go with my existing front porch. I accepted his ideas because he was the "professional." When I contacted a company to come and give me a bid to install and do the work he designed, they were shocked at the price I paid for his design services and thought that I should've at least had a color rendering for what he charged. I didn't end up using his design and will not consult with him again. I agree with the review that starts . . "Don't wast your time or money on Rick." I feel a landscape designer should let you know up front the total cost, not the hourly charge, as who knows how long he will take to come up with something and then you're slapped with a large bill. A good and amicable landscape designer will be fair with the charges and be willing to make any and all changes a customer may want, as part of the total charge. Several of the plants he suggested, I would never use.
Some decent ideas, but not an easy personality to work with. When we discovered errors in plans, he would tell us to "just trust him", until we could prove that the errors were real. Any time we wanted to change a design element, Rick seemed to take it as a personal affront. Once when I questioned the need for an 8" sand sub-base beneath a stone walkway, he actually wagged his finger in my face and told me I was "250% wrong". He was not able to produce graphical scales scale bars on any of the plans, and instead could only provide verbal scales 1/8 inch = foot, which are only valid when printed at one specific size. He may work well if you want to be hands-off and just wait to receive a final plan, but I wouldn't recommend him if you're looking for anything like a design partner i.e., someone you can work with.
Rick Laughlin, APLD has been creating residential and commercial landscape design in the Salt Lake City, UT area for 24 years. Rick specializes water wise plants and the latest in all types of design. He also creates designs utilizing petscaping and sustainability. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the Salt Lake City UT area.
Don't waste your time or money on Rick. He has no communication skills and no idea how to deal with any type of differing of opinion. He's going to ask you for a design fee....DON'T DO IT! I really think that he must have written all the good reviews himself because they sound exactly like the way he promotes himself. Spent $1,000 and feel like we got scammed!
Beyond impressed with Richard! I came across his company this week and looked over his work. I was most impressed when he told me that he does landscaping design mostly because he loves how it makes his customers feel. Great response, I'm excited to do business with Richard.
