Client Testimonials          

Robert Beatty
"When my family and I first moved into the Asheville area several years ago, I asked around for the names of reputable landscapers. I ended up talking to half a dozen different companies. In the end, I chose Bill Laity and his firm because of his extensive knowledge of plant species, his strong reputation, and his honesty.

I've been working with him on projects large and small ever since and I've not been disappointed. Bill has completed extensive landscaping to our property, ranging from classic landscape design and installation, to very large tree planting, to stone work, a wildlife pond, reclaiming overgrown areas, planting for attraction of birds and butterflies, pasture and grass repair, and much more. During this time I've had the opportunity to work very closely with Bill through all the various details. He's thorough, conscientious, committed to high quality work, experienced in a broad range of landscape-related areas, very knowledgeable of plants, and a person of high integrity. His crews work hard, coordinate with both myself and Bill on an on-going basis, and do good work. It's my pleasure to highly recommend William R. Laity Landscaping."

Frank and Donna DiMario, Arden, NC

"When we moved into the Asheville area we were lucky to find William R. Laity Landscaping to help us with a complete landscape renovation of our property.  Bill and his crew are highly professional and reliable.  Bill listened (very important!) to our vision and expectations and gave excellent recommendations to help us achieve our goal.  He was sensitive to our budget and made suggestions to help us keep costs in line with it.  After researching his website and seeing the extensive work his company has carried out, I was concerned that our project would not be "large or challenging" enough for him and his crew, but the fact is that he brings his expertise to all projects, large and small, so don't let the scope of your needs detract you from contacting William R. Laity Landscaping!

 

Our project took approx 3 weeks to complete, during which time his crew took complete care to keep our home and proprety from being in a state of disarray.  Every evening, the jobsite was cleaned and swept.  We knew all crew members by first name and were sad to see them go when the project was complete!  They took time to greet us each and every time, and were very polite and professional.

Phil and Beth Leonard, Fairview, NC
"This letter cannot possibly put into words how much I appreciate the beauty, quality, and workmanship of my new landscape. You and your team have far exceeded my expectations and turned my house into a home and garden I will enjoy for many years to come.

This is the fourth professional landscaping job I've been through at various homes - and by far the best and most enjoyable for several reasons:
     * Your knowledge of mountain plants, terrain, and environmental conditions is
        exceptional. And I delighted in your enthusiasm for sharing that knowledge with me.
     *  Your talent at landscape design - color, texture, balance, scale, interest, and problem-
        solving - created a little paradise right here in my own backyard.
     *  Your design took advantage of the best features in my landscape and turned the worst
        features into assets!
     *  You listened to my concerns and took great care to understand my goals, likes, and
        dislikes. You never failed to work hard to ensure my complete satisfaction.
     *  You solved not one but many challenges on my "problem" property:
         - Turning a steep front bank into a beautiful and interesting alpine garden.
         - Creating an inviting entrance that will draw visitors to my front door.
         - Capturing the beauty and potential of a grassy meadow.
         - Solving drainage problems.
         - Installing hardscape features that blend with the natural environment and let
           me enjoy access to my entire steep lot.
     *  The quality of the plants you installed is exceptional.
     *  Your hard working employees are pleasant, dependable, smart, and skilled at what
        they do.
     *  Your attention to detail, your organizational skills, your honest and integrity in all
         business transactions does not go unrecognized.

Please use me as a reference and bring your clients by any time to show off this lovely landscape. You have created a world of last beauty. Thank you again for an outstanding job!"             

Bruce and Janice, Asheville, NC

"Bill and his crew have completed two projects at our home. The first project, replacement of a crumbling retaining wall was an engineering feat in itself.  Bill approached this project with a thoroughness unmatched by any other contractor we contacted. The second project involved placing steps and a stonewall up a rather steep incline.  To get the results we wanted on each project was something of a challenge but with careful planning and attention to every detail, Bill and his crew exceeded our expectations.  We especially appreciated the sharing of information and details on each project so there were no surprises.

Bill's work ethic and positive attitude carries over to his crew.  They work hard, work when they say they are going to, and are careful to leave the property in the best order at the end of the work day.   We highly recommend him."

Scott and Joanne Rasco
"We recently moved to Asheville and renovated an old house in Grove Park.  When it came time to create a comprehensive landscape plan that was fitting for the age of the house and neighborhood, we began asking friends for recommendations.  One name kept coming up, William Laity.

Bill and his team designed and implemented an amazing landscape plan which included stone retaining walls, walkways, tree and shrub plantings and a new lawn.  All of our neighbors are amazed with the transformation and tell us it looks like it has always been there.  Bill's approach is intelligent and practical. He keeps deadlines and works within your budget.  It was a pleasure working with Bill."

 
   

Hil Leibe
"I cannot recommend Bill Laity highly enough. He is a problem solver as well as a landscape artist. Bill was able to terrace the rear of my house in a very creative way after others said it could not be done or, at best, it would be a costly Herculean effort not worth the time and money.  Since that project, I have used his landscaping services again (this time for plantings on the terraces) and have been more than satisfied."

Nola McMullen
"This past summer it had become painfully obvious that I needed help landscaping my home. Though I had a vision of what I wanted, I was less than crystal clear on any detail.  Bill spent a significant amount of time walking the property with me, questioning, sharing and suggesting.  He followed these discussions with several sketches reflecting specifics for each area I wanted covered and some I had not considered.  The detail in these sketches defined the vision which made the decision making much easier.  The preparation and time Bill spent before the job was even sealed made all the difference. Needless to say, the end product was superb."

Deb and Alex Kirby
"From our initial meeting through completion of the project, Bill was personable, helpful, knowledgeable, and available.  The proposal was incredibly clear and detailed and reflected our needs and goals.  The crew worked quickly and quietly and was a pleasure to have around. Bill checked in on them and on us frequently over the course of the project, and often worked on-site as well, to ensure that everything went according to plan.  We have been delighted with the results and would recommend Bill and his crew without hesitation."

Anna Wong, Asheville
"My husband and I have greatly appreciated Bill Laity's thoroughness and professionalism.  His crews are pleasant and capable. We have been very pleased with the jobs they have done in our woodland garden! We strongly recommend William R. Laity Landscaping."

Ed and Marti, North Asheville
"We had a very unique problem with our landscape and the way our home was positioned on the lot. Since we couldn't move the house we asked Bill to help us figure out how to change the landscaping to "open up" the property and accentuate the look of the house. His creative use of hardscaping with "eyebrow" walls and the use of plantings to add what we call "virtual privacy" have changed the entire look of the property. In keeping with our surroundings, we have kept the countryside look of the property while living within the city. Bill's crew was great to work with and our expectations of the project were completely met. Bill is very disciplined in his project management so all the surprises were good ones."

Andrew Hart
"Mr. Laity and his crew designed and installed a French drain along the foundation of my house. Although the working conditions were cold, his crew was friendly and hard working. The project was done on time and on budget. Better yet, my basement has been completely dry since the work was completed."
 

Gary Ross-Reynolds and Steve Weissman
"We are pleased to recommend Bill Laity's company for your landscaping needs.  The planning stage of our project was characterized by a high degree of collaboration during which Bill closely attended to our ideas and suggested design elements we had not considered. As a result the outcome was very satisfying.

Work began very close to the estimated start date and his crew proved themselves to be master stone workers.  In addition, they were adept at solving problems that arose, again collaborating with us as appropriate, and they made great contributions to the final design as well.  Gentle and nonintrusive spirits both, we enjoyed having them around and we now consider them friends.

We are confident that you will be well satisfied with Bill's and his crew's work."

Bill and Stephanie Devlin
"We wanted to tell you how pleased we are with your work in our garden. Your overall design is great as are the stone outcrops on the banks and the dry river beds. The tree and shrub specimens are out of this world, and the bulbs, perennials and meadow seeding are spectacular. We love the rockery at the entrance to the driveway.

Your work crew did a superb job and were so kind and helpful and they did a wonderful cleanup at the end of the job.

Thank you again for coordinating the sprinkler system for us. If you would like to use us as a reference or to show customers your work you are more than welcome to do so."

J & A M, Asheville, NC
"Bill, thank  you very much for all your advice and council and expert workmanship in the construction of our two patios and the architecturally important rock wall surrounding our new sunroom.  Your willingness to meet with us both at rock suppliers and at our site gave us a better feeling of security as the projects continued. You answered all our many questions and reinforced in us the confidence in you we felt from our first meeting.

We will recommend you to anyone who asks about their landscaping plans.  Thanks again for all your help in making our small project a big success."

    

Craig C., North Asheville, NC
"Please let me add my endorsement of Bill Laity and his landscaping crew. My project was to add more trees and landscape rocks to an existing area. I had a pretty good idea what I wanted in terms of trees and locations, and so I didn't feel I needed a formal site plan. Bill was amenable to this and so we did a point-and-stake type of project, and he provided an "a-la-carte" style estimate. Before work began, I was also able to arrange a trip with Bill to the rock yard to help select the landscape rocks - - Bill was very willing to work interactively. When we were placing the rocks, Bill's experienced and creative crew were insistent on making sure the "best" faces on the rocks pointed the right way, more fussy than even I would have been.  The crew were personable, worked together well (and hard), and clean-up was super.  A week or so later I noticed the white pines were starting to bend in our winds. A quick note to Bill and he took care of staking them.  You don't have to worry about the quality of work when you have Bill Laity. I look forward to working with Bill on future projects."

Bill and Anne McKibbin
"Bill and his company were key in our home / landscaping renovation efforts.  From planning to implementation, our expectations were exceeded every step of the way.  We will definitely call on Bill again for any of our landscaping needs!"

Jan Van Ess
"So you are considering using Laity Landscaping/Construction. My experience with him and his crew has extended over 8 years.  They have done a super job. Bill has lots of imagination and can put together a very pleasing landscape design.  He will work within your budget and give you the best available at a price you set. AND he stands behind his work so if there is a problem of any sort, he will make it right for you. I would recommend him without hesitation."

Dawn and Jimi Rentz
"We have thoroughly enjoyed working with William Laity Landscaping.  They have done work at two of our houses now, and we will continue to use them on future projects.  Bill’s knowledge of plants and his ideas for use of space are incredible!"

Karen and John
"It was an absolute pleasure to work with Bill and his crew, from the first visit of simply exploring ideas to the placement of the last stone.  The project far exceeded our expectations and continues to give us pleasure, as we add plants, flowers and trees to make it our own.  Bill was wonderfully patient with our last minute requests for changes and tweaks as we watched the garden evolve.  It was truly a collaborative effort."

Beverly Evans
"Working with Bill and his crew was a positive experience.  The crew worked when they said they would, and Bill returns phone calls!  My ratty bank is now beautiful thanks to Bill’s design and the dedication of his crew."




Jane Fowler
"Recently, we built a new guest house and garage on our property in Biltmore Forest.  William Laity did the landscaping for this project.  It was very easy to communicate our wishes to him, because of his artistic talent and imagination.  It was a pleasure to work together, and the results of his planning and labor continue to bring us great pleasure and joy!"

Lee and Margaret Torrence
"We knew when we purchased our 5-year-old mountain home that the drainage system was not functioning properly.  Our inspector recommended Bill Laity, if we wanted the job to be done right.  Re-doing the system meant removing a deck and excavating the entire back wall of our house to a depth of ten feet.  Bill came out and drew up a careful plan and thorough cost projection.  When we decided that we also wanted him to enlarge a parking area, he handled that addition with care, preserving the surrounding plant life even as he designed and created the space we needed.

It’s now been a year since Bill completed the project.  The drainage system works beautifully; our basement is dry and snug, and we are proceeding with plans to finish out that space, since we now have ample parking to accommodate guests!

We cannot recommend Bill and his crew highly enough.  At every stage of our complicated project, Bill was careful to communicate our options, and to pass on cost savings when he saw ways to handle the project more efficiently.  When all was said and done, he ended up accomplishing more work for less money than we had originally anticipated.  We look forward to working with him again when we get around to addressing some landscaping needs!"

Pete Turchi
"Bill Laity and his crews have done three jobs for us: expanding and rebuilding our driveway, which required replacing a retaining wall; re-grading our back yard and building a stone wall, stone bench and grill area, and steps; and laying a stone patio.  Each job has dramatically improved our home, and working with Bill has been a great pleasure.  His integrity is evident in every stage of the work, from planning (where the attention was always on what we wanted, what we needed, and how the work might be done most effectively in terms of function, appearance, and cost) to execution (projecting a timetable and communicating clearly throughout the project), to completion.  He is safety-conscious, thoughtful about how he leaves the work site each day, and attentive to detail.  We couldn’t be happier with the work he’s done and the way he’s done it."
 
           

T. Jude Welsh
"Bill’s been involved with a number of small and large projects around my home: including building a long railroad tie wall on a steep incline, selecting and craning in 7 large evergreen trees on a back bank (creating instant privacy), and installing a French drain behind an existing block wall.  Not to mention some really beautiful stone work!  Whether big or small, simple or complex, Bill approaches each job with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a uniquely creative eye.  Bill keeps you well informed on all aspects of the project at hand.  You’ll always know where things stand.  And the crew he employs reflects the same professional attitude.  They’re approachable, friendly, skilled and hardworking.  I’d highly recommend Bill for your next project."

A.J. Rhodes & Alan Lipsky
"We live in a mountain community and were experiencing some significant surface run-off during rainstorms, which was eroding our “backyard” and, at times, flooding our basement.  The angle of incline on the back part of the yard and the lack of planning for drainage were causing serious problems for us, in addition to the fact that the yard could not function as a play space for our kids.  We began gathering bids from landscapers – one of whom was Bill Laity.  He returned our call promptly and came out to take a look at the situation. We were impressed at the amount of time he took to thoroughly investigate the back property – crawling in and around trees, and walking further up the road to better understand how the incline impacted us.  After explaining his ideas, he drew up a rough idea of his proposal.  A couple of days later, a more detailed bid with cost breakdowns of each aspect of the project and more detailed drawings arrived in the mail.  The costs seemed fair, and so we accepted the bid.

Bill and his crew started the project when they said they were going to start, and worked consistently on a regular schedule.  Having dealt with many contractors and repair-people, who never showed up to work when they said they were going to, this was a welcomed change!  The plan included digging out swales, creating berms, and installing a concrete drainage box with an underground pipe leading to a drainage ditch.  They also leveled out a large area of our backyard and covered it with mulch.  We have since added a playset – a delight to our children – who now enjoy a backyard play space!

The crew working with Bill was friendly and knowledgeable and able to suggest alternative ideas when needed.  Throughout the project, Bill was very clear about how changes we requested would affect final costs, and we certainly appreciated knowing where things stood at all times. 

We would highly recommend Bill without hesitation."

Sharyn McDonald-Groh
"Bill Laity is extremely knowledgeable about his craft and can save you money in the long run, because he gets it right.  He has designed and graded my riding ring, so the water drains beautifully.  He has also consulted with me on numerous occasions about putting in a new road and working with my architects on the appropriate selection of my house site.  Both the road and house site are steep places and require proper ditching for water run off.  I trust Bill to work with and advise my grader in a very professional manner.  He is easy to work with and very reliable.  I could not have gotten through these projects without his expertise."



John Parrott
"After 30 years of working as a landscape designer and contractor in the New Orleans area, I moved to Asheville, North Carolina. I knew that I would need professional assistance to do my garden here. The climate, soil, elevations, and new materials all presented challenges to me.
William Laity came highly recommended from both old friends in the area and new acquaintances alike. At this point, we have completed two installations in the garden. Bill has proven to have a good grasp of local material and how to use it. Equally important is the quality of the workmanship provided by his foreman and crew.

Bill also did some drainage reconstruction and water proofing surrounding a problem area in my basement. Since the work has been completed, about 2 years, my basement has remained dry.

In summary, I can say it has been a pleasure working with Bill and I highly recommend his company and crew."


Holly and Bernie Arghiere
"Bill Laity has done numerous projects for us over the years.  We have known him from the earlier days of his business, and have benefited from much of his knowledge and abilities.  He has and continues to be a resource for us.  We have recommended his services to friends, who have also been happy with his results.  He is not only knowledgeable, able, thorough, trustworthy, efficient, tidy, prompt and a man of his word, but also a nice and good person to know and work with.  He does what he says he will do conscientiously.

Just for us alone he has done:

• Numerous water drainage configurations, cobble swales, water bars, re-grades, etc.
• Sleuthed out and installed French drains where needed
• Placed a trampoline at ground level for kid safety
• Graded and seeded a playing field that never puddles and always has grass
• Re-built a bridge with added water clearance capacity for year round, highly fluctuating Haw Creek
• Moved massive quantities of beautiful topsoil to a gardening location
• Removed an old rotting barn and redesigned and re-graded the barnyard while eliminating serious drainage problems as a well as including beautiful plantings
• Built a beautiful 2 story post and beam barn with stalls, equipment space, a bench and a recreational loft space
• Retrofitted an old stone barn with new Dutch doors and windows in existing openings, reconfigured and replaced the roof from the rafters to the shingles, replaced a rotting floor and joists, repaired and re-set concrete steps that had fallen away, designed and build interior stall space appropriate for 2 horses and detailed stall space with feeders, hay racks and water buckets on stone walls
• Prepared for and set numerous various sized culverts
• Site prepped and built large sturdy adjoining bins for outdoor yard needs
• Turned an unused tennis court into a riding arena by removing a surrounding chain-link fence and posts for the net, removing the court surface, re-grading for proper drainage, increasing the integrity of the subsurface, installing weed blocking landscaping fabric and adding the proper footing for equestrian use – no puddles, no weeds and excellent footing results years later
• Did all site work and installations of foundation, slab and patio for a home observatory
• Dug various trenches for changes in and additions to electrical needs, from setting cable to extending service to the arena and observatory as well as prepping for removal of overhead wires
• Hung numerous farm gates that don’t sag and open and close smoothly
• Designed and installed a raised bed planting island, a huge hedge of Burning Bush and a large bed of Stella D’Ora daylilies adjoining
• Planted trees and shrubs too numerous to count
• Removed, re-graded, installed downspouts from roof run-off and set stones for a beautiful patio with previous major drainage issues that used to flood our basement
• Probably done other stuff we don’t remember

We have been very fortunate to benefit from the well of Bill’s knowledge and talent.  He also is a great resource for other people in the trades in this area."


Al Mojonnier
"We have used William R. Laity Landscaping's services three times over the past twelve years and have been very satisfied each time.

In 1998 he and his crew put in two outdoor stairways on steep parts of our property. They are level, intact, good looking and functioning like new to this day.  We found Bill and his crew to be knowledgeable, pleasant to work with and very competent.

This past fall (2009), Bill and his crew did a couple of things for us. One for us directly, one for our Homeowners' association.

First, they put in a Rain Garden and did some road repair and ditch maintenance for our Homeowners'. We had a serious problem with runoff from an unpaved section of our road above us. Bill Laity enlarged our ditch, repaired holes in our road pavement, and most importunately put in a rain garden and road diverters to alleviate the destructive runoff.  The Rain Garden works beautifully and is an attractive addition. The spillways are lined with attractive rounded stones. The crew retained the trees around it and covered the excavation with leaves and forest floor debris. It looks like it has been there forever.

Second, Bill put a patch in our blacktopped driveway to drain a spring that had plagued us for years. We needed to be away when this was to be done and told Bill we trusted them to do it in our absence. They did that and took a series of pictures of the job in progress for us.

We are very happy with the service they have given us."