Home Services reviews in Tempe, Arizona

Do not hire Desert Designers!! Owner Tom Smith and Rob Ploughright will not return phone calls, will not return refundable deposit, as per contract. We are currently filing a complaint with AZ state contractor licensing, as well retaining an attorney. Beware don’t make the same mistake we did.

Marilyn Johnson

Update: Wanted to post to let everyone know that the owner did finally return our deposit. We are grateful for that, however it did take two thousand dollars and an attorney.

We hired Desert Designer based on a very favorable recommendation from our family. We were not disappointed. They completed a major makeover of our front and back yards and did an excellent job. We were always kept aware of the plans and they even had some in process recommendations that were great! I highly recommend them and will use them again.

We hired Desert Designer to install a paver patio with a natural gas pit and a pergola in a grassy area that was not used much in our backyard. What a transformation. Cory was our project manager and took care of everything from great design ideas, guided us on material selection, and coordinated the pergola installation and the electrical and gas lines. It turned out beautiful and now we can fully utilize our backyard. We highly recommend Cory and his team.

I can not say enough good things about our experience with Desert Designer. Our guy Corey Sell has been an absolute rock star and our back yard is beautiful! They have gone above and beyond to make sure that we are completely satisfied with every aspect of our backyard even to the point that they completely re tiled our built in BBQ after I was not happy with the way the grout turned out! They didnt even bat an eye, they just came out and fixed it because the customer wasn't happy. Even today, almost a year after the job was completed If I call them with a warranty issue they dont give me a hassle, they just send the crew out to come fix it. If you value quality workmanship and excellent customer service, these are the guys you want to hire!

We are so happy we ran across Cory Sell from Desert Designer at the local home show in Glendale. We were planning a major renovation to our backyard. We provided some basic ideas and the team at Desert Designer brought those ideas to life. Cory’s suggestions concerning plants, location and hardscape were spot-on. We made several changes as we prepared for construction and they were quickly incorporated in the design. Construction commenced and was completed as scheduled. It was well worth the price of having Cory and the team at Desert Designer plan and install our beautiful desert oasis.

Rob and his crew did a fabulous job on our backyard install. A complete overhaul of our yard transforming our old and sad yard to an entertaining dream.

Thank you for the beautiful work and all the follow up.

So happy with our backyard remodel! Designers did a great job. Tom kept the entire project on schedule even with several rainy days. The entire team was efficient & professional. Thank you all!

I just want to say thank to Cory Sell. He was our sales person and landscape designer for our front yard courtyard and landscaping. He listened to our needs and ideas and came up with an amazing plan. Cory was very punctual and responsive and arrived at our home, not only as promised but usually 10 minutes early. He was able to alter changes to our plan to help to meet our financial goals without jeopardizing the integrity of our design. Cory was involved from our initial meeting and oversaw the project each day until completed to our satisfaction. The crew was also amazing. They cleaned up at the end of the day and were very prompt each morning. also the project was completed in the time that was promised. I would definitely recommend Desert Designer and ask for Cory Sell. Thanks Cory!!! Rob & Debbie Richards

This is the third time I have used Desert Designer in the 12 years I have lived at my residence. Tom’s crews are professional, accommodating and all have an eye for detail. The work is absolutely amazing! My back and side yards are an oasis in this desert. Tom initially designed my front and back yard’s landscaping and installed both. About five years ago I added a side porch fireplace and pavers over the top and beyond the side porch. Quite recently I had them re-irrigate my entire back yard and added fresh granite. I love my back yard! Desert Designer has made this a place for me to relax and entertain. So happy with the work they have done. It is simply quality work!

My husband and I wanted to transform our backyard into something beautiful and 'one of a kind'! After sitting down with Rob and discussing what we envisioned, he came back with an amazing proposal. We were amazed by how he could take our notions and translate it into a truly unique and cohesive look. He was fantastic to work with - always accessible and provided timely answers to all of our questions. We were not certain he would be able to do everything we wanted and at the same time resolve our drainage issue. Amazingly Rob and his awesome team gave us a completely transformed backyard and we have zero drainage issues!

Desert Designer did a great job on our project and worked very hard to turn our vision into a backyard oasis. They were able to make good alternative suggestions when supply chain issues arose. The daily communication on the progress of the work was a definite plus preventing re-dos and clearing up any confusion. Very happy with the transformation of our yard. The small warranty items that needed attention were adequately addressed.

Hired Rob in early summer and his design and attention to detail was clear from day one. He completely remodeled our patio, driveway and landscaping. Rob stayed on budget and his design added things we didn’t even consider including a very cool gas fireplace. Rob also stayed in budget to what he quoted and completed the job in the time stated. He also helped with small post demo follow ups I had. Thanks Rob!

Rob and his crew did an outstanding and beautiful redesign of my front yard. The pavers and lighting they installed are just gorgeous. Rob was great to work with, his crew were very courteous and did great job. I would highly recommend Desert Designer for any landscaping needs.

We contacted multiple landscape architects, who either didn’t return our calls after the initial meetings, or who designed plans that had nothing to do with what we asked for. Rob met us, listened to all the issues we wanted to address, and came back with a plan that was so much better than we could have imagined. Rob’s being there every day during installation also made it easy to discuss what was happening and make minor modifications. Rob has great design expertise and has a real sense of the land, view corridors, functional areas, etc. He simply stands above the completion in creativity, problem solving, open and friendly communication channels, and having skilled and dedicated workers who deliver the completed project on time. The finished front/back yards and courtyard are exquisite and we couldn’t be happier.

We could not be happier with the results we got from Rob and his amazing crew at Desert Designer!

We bought a house in February, and met with Rob shortly after.

The pool needed to be remodeled completely, and the backyard was a total mess. My wife and I do not have any sort of creativity whatsoever, but Rob was extremely knowledgeable with what types of trees, plants, stone to use, and even our landscape lighting. We even upgraded our pool to have a water slide. In these crazy times of uncertainty, his communication was spot on. He always informed us when things were happening, and what to expect.

You can tell Rob has an extreme love for what he does, and his crews really exceeded our expectations!

If you are looking for an amazing landscape design company in Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, or Phoenix, Call these guys!

I would seriously give 10 stars if I could. my wife and I LOVE LOVE LOVE our new pool and backyard!!!!

Sadly our experience with Rob & Desert Designer Landscape and Development was not pleasant. Rob was very helpful & friendly until the sale was over. He knew we were snowbirds and took full advantage. The yard did look amazing for the most part but then while we were gone during the summer despite the expensive irrigation system he told us would take care of any worries several vines never grew and died. We reached out to him and here is the communication we received.

“ I received your email through our website about your plant. Your warranty on plants is for 120 days from the completion of your project. Your project completed 1/21/2021. You are out of warranty and were out of warranty when your husband contacted me at the end of last year.”

Thank you,
Rob

Typical bad shady business- in it for the fast buck. Make the sale & wash your hands of the customer & any follow up. We have since talked to others who have had excellent post sales experiences with very professional landscape designers even several years after their warranties expired. I hope we can help prevent at least one other customer from this sham of a salesperson & company

Desert Designer Landscape is the company to go with! when you need your backyard and front yard transformation. Sara will take your dream yard and turn this into reality! She will listen to your needs take those into the field. Sara she is very professional and knowable. Highly recommended, thank you!

Now that our project is complete, I would like to update my below review. We love our yard. We need to have one part of the project completed around the spa, but we are still waiting to have the spa perfect first. We have some plants that are under warranty that will need to be replaced, but are waiting for cooler weather so they don't burn again. But we absolutely LOVE the final outcome. Had all the other drama not happened, I'm sure the experience would be extremely positive. Their team was great, and Sarah managed the entire project beautifully. She helped me think through every aspect and gave a resolution to my concerns.

Sarah, our designer, has been amazing, supportive, and helpful. Here was our issue. Wrote a large 50% check which wasn't deposited for 2 weeks. Company says there are insufficient funds. But that isn't true. They can show me nothing that shows insufficient funds, and my bank is stating they show nothing was cashed or declined. Had to put a stop payment on the original check (because there is no history of where it is now) and get a cashier check so there would be no further issues. Then, to just make it even worse, they told me that I need to pay the insufficient funds fee that can't be proven.

We are thrilled with the work that was completed on both the front and back yard. Our 1954 built house now looks modern and fits our family lifestyle. We have recommended Rob to multiple friends- their completed jobs are each uniquely designed. Great company to work with!

Rob and his team were amazing from start to finish! Rob had a great vision for our front yard remodel and did a great job explaining options as we worked through the design. His crew were unbelievable- so fast and efficient! The whole project was done in less than 5 days, which was incredible. We absolutely love our new front yard!! Definitely recommend!

They did an amazing job on our backyard! Tom and his team were very professional and had a quick response to any questions. So very happy! I would highly recommend them for sure!