Urbanscapes for Sustainable Living

We hired Renee Gunter of Urbanscapes over a year ago to landscape our front yard. Based on a few written reviews of her work, her website, an article in the LA Times, and Ms. Gunter’s presentation and charm, we signed a contract for over $ 30,000. For that amount of money we expected, and were promised, exceptionally professional service and an «amazing yard» that would be in magazines. But she asked for a lot of money up front, and there is where I should have known better. We gave her «installments» and she would put in small amounts of work (a pathway, some slight grading), and then saying she was hard at work on our design, ask for another check. It’s embarrassing that we didn’t see through the talk earlier; I will never believe anyone again who says «Trust me.» After she received over $ 29,000 from us, Ms. Gunter essentially disappeared. Despite numerous phone calls/​texts/​e-​mails about the work, and MANY promises, she did not continue with the landscaping, she hardly delivered on anything, even the design, and the small amount of irrigation and grass plugs we got was so sub-​par as to be insulting. When we asked for money back, she wrote via a pro-​bono attorney that whatever we felt was owed to us, there was no money to give us.
We have since met two different people who have taken Gunter to court over non-​compliance with contract, in cases ranging from $ 13,000 to over $ 40,000. She has also been recently investigated by the California State Licensing Board, and the case has been referred to the District Attorney for criminal prosecution.
Be very careful hiring someone who is not licensed – especially for a large job. Our experience with Renee Gunter of Urbanscapes has changed me permanently. I’m smarter now but I don’t trust people much anymore. Get it in writing, but more than that make sure the person is accountable, and don’t pay until you get what you want.

We moved into a house last year and everything about it was in great shape except for the backyard. The yard was just dirt — neglected, overgrown and all weeds. Instead of starting from scratch putting in a lawn, we decided to go a different route. We hired Renee to design and install a drought-​tolerant garden and we are very happy with what she did. She turned the space into an organic environment that we enjoy all year round. In fact, the native plants have really taken off recently after the winter rains and they look gorgeous right now! Renee worked with us to meet our desires for the yard and incorporate our ideas as well as making great suggestions of her own. She knows so much about drought tolerant gardens but also looks at it from a design perspective so she can create and communicate the full vision to you. It is clear that Renee loves her work and takes great pride in her artistry and we are very happy with our yard.

We have an amazing backyard thanks to Urbanscapes! My husband and I have a very old house in West Adams that had a very old and unkempt backyard. We knew we didn’t want grass but landscaping it the right way was beyond my talents. Actually i have a black thumb and feared I would kill anything I put in anyway, so we hired Renee at Urbanscapes. Using recyled concrete, they gave us a winding path through what is now my garden, beautiful drought tolerant plants that are now flourishing after the rains we had, and even a few fruit trees and a vegetable garden! it’s beautiful… If only I had the budget for a front yard now :)

There should be more businesses like Urbanscapes! Not only are they concentrated around sustainable landscapes, the result is a beautiful art that is appreciated by it’s contribution to the mother earth and the beauty that tags along!

Urbanscapes creates not only drought tolerant gardens, but unique works of art that just happen to be living! My husband and I are fortunate enough to see many of these living masterpieces up close and personal. We frequently take walks around our neighborhood in the West Adams and noticed that Urbanscapes has been a part of many beautiful yards and businesses that we admire.