Austin Drainage and Landscape Development

Wouldn’t even come out to look at my house, said they were too busy.

We have been referred by several friends and co-​workers to Austin Drainage who were very happy with their work. I have tried several times to schedule an estimate, and twice the technician has either not shown up, or cancelled the appointment the day of. After the first no-​show, I rescheduled (it took more than 3 weeks to even get an appointment), and called to confirm 2 days prior. I was told yes, absolutely, the technician would be at my home at the appointed time. An hour and 15 minutes before the appointment the scheduler called to cancel. I now have a third appointment on the books, but the customer service I’ve experience thus far needs a lot of work.

It’s October 31^st, after +8 inches of heavy rain and our house is dry. I have to say we are extremely happy with the work Austin Drainage did for us. In the past, We had several very close calls and decided we had better get a professional to help. Austin drainage is really the only company in the Austin area that does water remediation as their primary business and they are good at it. We used all their suggestions and are very pleased (swale, drains, gutters). Everything they installed worked exactly as planned. If we had not had this work down, I’m certain we would have had water in our house.
When we first called them it was after the Memorial Day flooding and they had a huge backlog of work. We had to wait ~6 weeks for an appointment. Dale kept us informed, started earlier than promised, left a very clean worksite and came in under budget. During the work, one of our sprinkler controls was accidentally cut, he fixed that promptly also.
If you are concerned about water drainage damaging your property, I highly recommend these guys.

We had some serious drainage issues at the back of our residence. Over the years soil had built up around the foundation and several astonishing downpours (6 inches in a very short period) caused water to come into the house. I contacted Austin Drainage + Landscape Development and within a few days Dale Jennings came out to assess our property. He was very knowledgable and came up with a plan that was both functional and beautiful. Although the actual work did not begin for several weeks (they had a huge backlog of jobs because of all the recent flooding) their office kept me posted about when the work would be done. They did a great job removing soil and sculpting the ground, installing a French drain as well as diverting water off the roof and making a lovely dry riverbed that looks so natural with curves and beautiful rock. My husband and I could not be more pleased.

The salesman we worked with was knowledgeable and helpful, but follow up experience was not as good. The installation process began with no notice or outlining flower beds prior to starting construction. It was painful and fraught with poor quality workmanship. Many of our plants are dead from fungus. We contacted the company about this almost immediately after installation but did not get a response.
We do give them credit for recognizing the quality of the masonry was poor and redoing some of it.

Last October, when we went under contract for a house we loved in University Hills, the initial inspection report noted some potential flooding issues and recommended that we get an additional inspection looking specifically at drainage. Austin Drainage and Landscape Development seemed to be the best game in town, so we brought them in. They were able to do the inspection and turn the report around quickly, which is important when the clock is ticking on the option period. The report identified some serious drainage and flooding issues, related to the subgrade layout and slopes in the yard, and came back with a $ 14k estimate. We figured that was worst case scenario, so we went ahead with the home purchase and had a cheaper contractor throw some waterproofing on a subgrade wall, intending to address the drainage issues a couple years down the road.
We moved in. And then it started raining. And raining. And raining.
Pretty soon, we started noticing damp spots along a subgrade wall in our son’s bedroom and the adjoining closet. At first we though the plumbing might be leaky, but we noticed the carpet got wet whenever it rained. Then, after a few big rainstorms, the water would turn our back patio into a raging river and the standing water was getting perilously close to coming in the door. We decided we should probably get serious about fixing the drainage issues sooner rather than later, and called Austin Drainage and Landscape Development out for another estimate. They were a little backed up due to all the rains, but were able to schedule us for the Friday after Memorial Day.
Yeah, that Memorial Day. As the city flooded, we had major water intrusion coming in through subgrade walls and forcing up through cracks in the foundation. Our carpet was trashed, drywall was soaked, the whole 9 yards. (Just for kicks, we went back and read the initial inspection report. Damn it, everything that they said would happen did happen. It’s like they knew what they were talking about.)
We got a second estimate, this time minus some of the waterproofing and slightly scaled back, and it came to four figures rather than five. The guys were great about explaining the planned scope of work, and what each drainage feature would accomplish — swells as the first line of defense to divert water away from the house, French drains and pipes to move water to the street, additional waterproofing to prevent leaks, gutters terminating in pipes also running to the street, resodding of grass.
They let us know from the start that there was a queue for the work and it would be 6 — 8 weeks. They communicated with us several times in that period, letting us know the expected start date. (Unfortunately, there was another crazy rain event in that time period and we flooded again. But hey, at least we hadn’t bothered replacing the carpet yet.) Within the estimated timeline, they were able to start work. It took a full crew about a week and a half (and lots of digging in the hot sun!). They did a great job and all of the workers were extremely tidy and polite.
After the work was complete, the manager came back out and walked us through, showing us what had been done and why, and how to care for it. He made sure we didn’t have any questions, and was very thorough. We really appreciated having that final walkthrough.
It wasn’t cheap, and we had to wait in line for a few weeks, but we’re very glad we went with a company that was so obviously competent and knew what they were doing. With El Nino and heavy rains in the forecast for this fall, it is such a relief to have this work complete and know that our most important investment, our home, is protected.

After the near record floods I cannot recommend these folks highly enough. Had a dry creek and swale put in by them in Spring of 2014 — I thought I didn’t need all of that but I accepted their recommendations as they were the professionals. I’m sure glad that I did because the recent rains used every bit of the drainage features that they added. The only negative is that it can take a long time to schedule them, but after watching their work in action, I can only say that it was time and money well spent.

These folks really know their business when it comes to solving drainage issues. We had a low-​lying area next to our house, and every time we had a heavy rain, water came in the house and flooded a bedroom closet and hallway. Austin Drainage and Landscape installed a swale and French drain that solved the problem. They did an excellent, careful, professional job and left the yard looking pristine afterward. The ultimate test was that our house remained high and dry during the Memorial Day flood of 2015, where prior to their work we would have been facing major damage. They are busy and it can take a while to get your project scheduled, but for us it was worth the wait — quality work, fair price, and no more flooding in the house.

3 weeks wait time to schedule an inspection is completely absurd. If your service is in demand and you have no competition, then staff up.

I’ll basically echo what other reviewers have said, they do very good work and the yard definitely looks better than it did previously. We hired them for grading since the water ran towards the house, and part of the project (now we’re into landscaping) also involved replacing a sidewalk with limestone pavers with steel edging. There were a few hiccups along the process, so I would try and supervise the guys. The main objective was to route water from the house and that works well, and we like the sidewalk and the overall price was reasonable so I’ll give them 4 stars. Would have preferred the job to happen quicker as it took quite a while for work to commence, and to their credit that was communicated, that would be my only gripe.

I hired Austin Drainage & Landscape to resolve two drainage issues on my property — pooling on side of house, and on my back patio. For the side, they installed an underground drain (custom built concrete drain box on side of house, into a 4″ PVC pipe, terminating through a hole bored in the curb), and cut a swale in the backyard to divert water from the patio.
The good: The actual crew who did the work did a great job. They were polite and very neat (all dirt removed during trenching/​digging was placed on plastic sheets on the lawn, and it was a good thing, because we had a major rain storm in the middle of the project, and this prevented a muddy mess on the lawn). They paid attention to detail. The final result looked great. Several neighbors commented how good the yard looked, like it hadn’t been touched, despite the tremendous amount of digging that had occurred.
The not so good. I almost pulled the plug on these guys due to various missteps on the pre-​sales /​pre-​work side of things:
* Initial project manager assigned to my job was, in my opinion, incompetent. His initial plan completely failed to address my #1 drainage problem. Not impressed.
* The initial project manager ordered a survey (which normally cost hundreds of dollars, which is credited back to the cost of the project) without my consent. I did not order the survey because at that point in the process I was still weighing bids from different drainage contractors.
* Lead time was several weeks to a couple of months, I understand that. However, the actual start date was far off the expected start date that was communicated to me. I understand delays happen, but I would have appreciated some proactive communication from them to me about it. I found out about the delays only through calling the office myself, as I was coordinating the start of an irrigation system install with a separate contractor following completion of ADLD’s work.
Despite these issues, I wanted to give ADLD a chance, because my experience getting estimates from other drainage contractors wasn’t much better, and ADLD has a better reputation. So I called ADLD, patiently explained my issues, and to their credit, they assigned a new project manager who came up with a new plan I was happy with, acknowledged their mistake on ordering the survey, and waived the cost of the survey.
So, in summary, I would probably hire these guys again because the quality of their work is top-​notch, and because they were genuinely concerned about the issues I raised, and made a good faith effort to resolve them. However, if you hire them, plan to stay on top of things to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. And be prepared to wait if you hire them during the busy season.

Our radically sloping front yard was in desperate need of a substantial retaining wall. I took quotes from many companies, but Scott and his company were the perfect fit for us. His was one of the most competitive prices, but his eye for aesthetics, and their vast experience on jobs much larger than mine convinced me to hire them. Scott’s team completed the job as described in 7 days. His landscape architect, stone masons, and everyone else i came in contact with did a great job. We love our functional new front yard and would highly recommend his team.

The only reason that I can’t give Austin Drainage and Landscape Development 5 stars, is that I haven’t actually used them — yet. However, I was so impressed by their office staff and the owner, Scott, after having dealt with flake, after flake, after flake, on a very different project for Austin, ‘that to this day, is still not off the ground’, I felt compelled to compliment their punctuality and advice. Scott showed up way before I did, as I was unfortunately and very unusually late myself — and he waited very patiently on me and still granted me his non-​rushed time, effort and advice in a very sincere and forthright way. Make no mistake, if more companies in Austin conducted business the way he and his staff did with me, I wouldn’t be so stressed out!!! Believe me, many firms in Austin don’t show up for estimates and/​or don’t show up on time, and if they do, they don’t send the estimate and or they don’t return phone calls and/​or emails and/​or text messages. Again, I grant them 4 stars for communication and professionalism alone — which I haven’t forgotten and still sincerely appreciate!!!

The work done on my home by Austin Drainage and Landscape Development was not only done on time and on budget, but it has stood the test of time. They put in french drains, a patio, drive and limestone retaining walls about four years ago. I just hosted a wedding at my house and the place could not have been more beautiful. Thanks to Scott Lockhart and his crew.

We were referred to Jeff Fletcher by two different friends and hired him to both fix a drainage issue that another landscaper created and to do our actual landscaping. We have been nothing but pleased. Jeff and his team gave us a fair quote, were on time with their work, and actually came in within budget! They have been there to answer phone calls and emails along the way and have been wonderful working with us to stage the work so we can do a piece at a time. I highly recommend Jeff Fletcher and Austin Drainage and Landscape for both drainage and landscaping and after a year’s worth of frustration with another local company, this recommendation does not come lightly!

Scott and his crew were great to work with. He was so easy to work with — very honest and trustworthy. His crew showed up on time, and they got the job done. My yard looks great, and no more standing water!

I had a scheduled appointment for them to come out to do an estimate, they did not show up and did not call. I took the day off work to be here during the 8 – 12 window. When I called to see when they were coming the guy didn’t even know he had the appointment. Whoever set it up for him never gave him the memo. Very unprofessional, for all I know they may do great work, but I will not be calling them back.

Their tag line is «Serving Austin with Integrity since 1984» and unfortunately who they represent themselves to be with that statement and reality do not line up.
Integrity doing what you say you are going to do by when you said you would do it. They definitely do not even come close. They gave me an very expensive estimate and then said I would get on their schedule as soon as I gave them 10% down. I sent them a check for $ 780. then I waited.
When I inquired as to when this was going to be done– they said– you are 21^st on the schedule– to which I referenced the 3 week promise– they replied, they would honor that, then the week came– oops a delay, next week, another delay, etc and then they just stopped pretending and did not call. I called after a month– to which they said something to the effect of delays happen. When I asked for my money back (which they normally don’t do– their contract is deposits are non-​refundable) they said they would give it to me– but I had to wait till their billing cycle… amazingly bad customer service. I would avoid them. Shyster.-

These guys came and installed 3 french drains, sloped the backyard and placed new sod to make lawn look even better than when they started.
They were fast, professional and extremely thorough. Even had a guy randomly come back to the house 3 days later to make sure the lawn looked OK.
IN terms of professionalism, quality of work and fairness — couldn’t be happier. ONly problem was that they took 3 months because they are so popular!

Scott did a great job (s) correcting what two ‘landscapers’ called french drains. Laid down some really good sod and the backyard looks great! His crew did a wonderful job even fixing sprinklers quickly and were accomodating to a busy schedule. He walks through before the job and then after completion. Would definitely use again.