Fantastic experience with Ralph and Cynthia. They were diligent, informative, knowledgeable, and kept us apprised of everything throughout the entire project. They were fair and honest with costs and given the final result, we are incredibly happy we chose them to take on this project for us. The curb appeal of our home has undoubtedly increased thanks to Tough Oaks. Would absolutely recommend them for any landscaping project.
About three years ago, on the recommendation of my sister and brother-in-law—who are extremely particular about their home—I hired Tough Oaks to replace the basic builder block and path at the front of my house with a custom stone porch, steps, garden, and walkway. From the start, they impressed me with their detailed quote and the care they put into every aspect of the project. They went above and beyond my expectations and delivered a front porch and steps I love so much that I wrote then I wouldn’t trust anyone else with hard landscaping. This year, true to my word, I called Tough Oaks again when it was time to replace my small, broken wooden backyard deck with a patio. Once again, they exceeded my expectations in every way. Even before breaking ground, they arranged all the necessary utility checks—despite the work being in the backyard where no utilities were located—and handled the entire process themselves, always compliant with bylaws. They tore down the old deck, removed all debris and concrete footings, and excavated nearly 12 inches down for the 15 x 16-foot patio—then added an extra foot to accommodate a gazebo I only casually mentioned wanting. They wheeled in tons of crushed rock aggregate and built the foundation layer by layer, tamping each one until it was rock solid. To save me space, they suggested raising the patio height to eliminate the need for a step, improving both function and appearance. Their craftsmanship continued with the installation of interlocking pavers, which they double sealed to maintain their durability, and they upgraded the patio with beautiful decorative stone. Every piece was painstakingly set so the surface remains even and safe—despite the stones’ natural variation—making it practical for shoveling in winter and safe for foot traffic. They even went so far as to remove a useless old vent, bricking over the hole left behind so well that you’d never know it was ever there, except that their work was neater than the original bricklaying! And they did all of this within the original contract—never cutting corners, always doing what’s best for the client and the project. Tough Oaks never subcontracts their work. They handle every detail themselves because they care deeply about their reputation and the quality of what they build. They are true artisans—refusing shortcuts, even when I offered them to do what was easiest for them. Their integrity, skill, and commitment to customer satisfaction are remarkable, and for the level of craftsmanship they deliver, their pricing is very reasonable. You can find cheaper options, but those savings vanish when weeds grow through poor stonework, foundations sink, someone trips on an uneven path, and you’re having to have it redone properly. Tough Oaks builds landscapes to last. And best of all, they’re genuinely wonderful people. I can’t recommend Tough Oaks highly enough. If you want the job done right the first time, this is the company you want to hire. - Debbie R.
