Home Services reviews in Silver Spring, Maryland

If you are looking for a reliable, response, reasonably priced landscaping company that stands by their work, Don and Silver Spring Landscaping are NOT the solution.

I had Don to large project for me. While his prices were higher than other quotes, his reviews were positive enough that I went forward. Since then, there have been issues that needed to be corrected. Trying to get a hold of him to fix anything incredibly difficult. Eventually I did get a hold of him, and he has wanted to charge me to fix the issues that he created. I protested and now he has stopped responding to emails and phone calls. I suspect many of his reviews on Google are friends or shills. Fortunately, I have found better more customer-oriented landscaping companies around the Montgomery County area that do not overcharge and are much more responsive.

Silver Spring Landscaping created an exquisite oasis for our family to enjoy and our neighbors to envy. Don and his team designed and crafted a beautiful setting. The plants and stonework capture the essence of this old house and our love for outdoor entertaining. Everyday we looked forward to what new creation would be at our doorstep. This company was professional, timely and delivered beyond our imagination.

We hired Don to clear out our overgrown and flood-prone backyard, then regrade it and turf the whole thing. He put in a rock swale to channel the water away, laid a new concrete sidewalk, and installed French drains. We are very pleased with the quality, timeliness, and professionalism of the work. Don and his team did a great job and were very responsive. We would definitely hire Silver Spring Landsaping again. If you're looking for competence, reasonable pricing, and professionalism, give Don a call.

Don and his crew just did a fantastic job with a major landscaping project in our back yard. Our yard sloped steeply toward the back, and was previously wooded. We took down some trees to make a clearing a year ago. Working from my concept, Don graded a level area in the lawn, and built a retaining wall on the upper side of the lawn area. He sloped the lower end of the lawn to meet the original grade at the back of the lawn. Other landscaping companies either balked at the job, or gave estimates that were multiples of what we ended up paying. We did end up adding to the original job price, when the grading did not produce a large enough level area. But I feel the additional cost of enlarging the lawn area was well worth it, and was done at reasonable cost. As the project progressed, we decided to go with the lighting option, and then we added plantings, and some maintenance of existing stone work. They reconstructed stepper pathways with existing stones, and did a lot that integrated the new work with some existing features. The final result is truly amazing. I did not even imagine the yard would look this good, when we started the project!

Don was there every day to start the crew off, and was very responsive to communications. I've dealt with other companies where the sales representative gets you hooked because you like them, but then never shows up to your job again. Not with these guys.

Also, Silver Spring Landscaping was less expensive than the other companies, because Don and we, were both willing to work with a concept and design the retaining wall pretty much by sight. I drew a concept by hand to show him what we were thinking, and when it came time to start the wall, he set down some flags to show where it would be, and we agreed from that. So there were no landscape architects involved, no drawings. This has to reduce the cost tremendously over those companies that only work from architectural drawings. But the final result looks like it came from landscape architects.

As a final note, our neighbors commented on how thoroughly the crew cleaned up the street at the front of our house, where they had been loading dirt and mulch. They were impressed that the crew power washed the street!

Don has done a wonderful job on our landscaping. Him and his team were quick and efficient but also did a high quality job. He even offered to change out some plants if we didn't love them which was above and beyond what he had to do. Overall, he has an eye for landscape work as my husband and I just provided some high level input of what a we might like and he was able to design the perfect solution. We fully recommend him and will use him again in the future for any additional needs!

I just felt the need to write this and I barely ever write reviews. I am a very particular and difficult customer. We had a front and back patio along with a side walkway installed. It was not an easy or clean job. But, every single time there was an issue or I had a question, Don answered it and tried to make it better; even after payment was given. He and his team did a great job. I would definitely hire them again without hesitation. Thank you Don!

Don and team at Silver Spring Landscaping did high-quality work and finished the job on time and on budget. We highly recommend them for drainage, grading, retaining wall work/masonry.

I hired Silver Spring Landscaping to address a drainage and grading issue I had at the back of my house, which is at the bottom of a long hill. Don's team installed a comprehensive outdoor french drain system and even repaired a broken downspout drain they discovered while excavating at no extra charge. Don's crew dug through difficult soil with thick roots and managed to avoid damaging my neighbor's brand new plantings. The final result was nicely finished and integrates well into our existing landscaping. I have had several bad experiences with cheap "professionals" and appreciated Don's expertise and site management through the job. Do it right, do it once - it is money well spent. -Winston in Woodside.

I hired Don and his crew to redesign my backyard in Silver Spring and couldn't be happier. His crew worked fast and offered reasonable prices. A true professional and will definitely give him a call to redesign my front yard.

After interviewing several different contractors for a very involved grating job, I picked Silver Spring Lsndscaping. The job Don and his crew did was absolutely top notch! We needed to keep water out of our basement and the advice he gave as well as the work that they performed before during and after was as good as it gets! If I have any problems of this nature in the future, or need any top notch services regarding landscaping - they would be the only company I would call. On a scale of 1-10 - they are an 11!

From Eyesore to Showpiece

We engaged Silver Spring Landscaping to renovate/refresh our front and side yard landscaping, and couldn't be happier we did!

Warning to readers, if you prefer one-sentence reviews then stop reading now because the pervious sentence says it all.

If you're still reading then here are additional details....

Don Thurber is the owner and he quickly responded to our initial inquiry - believe me, many landscapers don't even bother to reply which makes no business sense to me - and came out to walk the property, talk with us to understand what we wanted, etc.

He said he'd get a proposal to us by the end of the week, and he made good on that promise, including breaking it out in pieces in case we decided to piecemeal the work instead of doing it all at once.

His pricing is fair and it turns out you really do get what you pay for. And by the way, Don didn't pester us after delivering the proposal like some service providers do, which we appreciated (we despise being hounded and pressured).

Don's crew clearly knew what they were doing, and they seemed to be familiar with each other's work styles, who was doing what, etc, including the supervisors Henry and William. In other words, Don doesn't pick up random day laborers at the entrance to Home Depot every morning and dump them on a project site, like some landscapers do.

The crew was on time or early every day during the 8-day project. They were friendly and courteous when we would come and go, and even did little things like putting our morning paper near our mailbox so it wouldn't get run over by their trucks.

Although there was a Bobcat onsite that was used when necessary, the vast majority of the work was done using wheelbarrows. Some landscapers use trucks, dingles, and other motorized equipment almost exclusively.

This sounds like a small thing but it's not: The crew cleaned up at the end of each workday. We've had crews here, landscaping and asphalt, who left each day with our property looking like a landfill or dump. Don's crew shows professional respect by cleaning up each day.

Don was happy to repurpose old plants and take away old unwanted plants, as well as make recommendations for upgrades to plantings and infrastructure.

Don was onsite at least a part of each day of the project, so he's a hands-on owner who means what he says about quality of work, customer satisfaction, etc.

We were also freely given tips and advice on how to handle various things, including post-project lawn and shrub care that would involve other contractors/companies.

We were impressed when the crew was cleaning up at the end of the last day of this project, and they were getting ready to power wash the driveway but they seemed to have trouble getting their compressor started. So instead, one of them used a garden hose to spray water on the driveway, and a second crewmember came along behind with a leaf blower, essentially creating a do-it-yourself power washer.

There were several "baker's dozen" experiences where we got a pleasant surprise or no-charge upgrade. I won't list them here because I don't want future customers of Don's to expect or demand them. But unexpected little delights add to the overall positive feeling about the project and the contractor.

Don provided a port-o-pot for the crew, which we think showed professionalism, class, and caring for his crew. Don't laugh, it's the first time we've ever experienced that, because most contractors leave the crew to fend for themselves, and of course over the years they typically would go into the nearby woods.

The only negative we can think of has nothing to do with the quality of the work/materials, but is probably what many small businesses do: If we wanted to pay by credit card, the 3% service fee would be added to the price of the proposal. So no credit-card points, not a biggee.

Bottom line: If you want work done on your personal property or work location, you owe it to yourself to talk with Don. You'll be glad you did.

Silver Spring Landscaping worked with us to design a beautiful garden on either side of our home including two amazing retaining walls. The walls were so well crafted that may neighbors couldn't help but watch the Silver Spring Landscaping team in action - and as a former landscape engineer she was very impressed with their work!

When we had questions about the types of plants being used Don walked us through our options and sent photos and descriptions of each type of plant best fit for our yard and sun level.

We will use them again and definitively recommend the SSL team to others!
Shane & Elizabeth

It's impossible to overstate how impressive it was to see our project taken from start to finish in just 2.5 days. The team was fast, professional and extremely conscientious. They took great care of our property during the course of the work, built two beautiful retaining walls exactly as envisioned, and communicated regularly and clearly throughout the process. I couldn't be happier with the result and I will absolutely be reaching back out to Silver Spring Landscaping for future projects.

Don (Silver Spring Landscaping) has done an outstanding job at our property in Clarksville and is very reasonable. We are very happy with his work and Don is able to finish projects ahead of time. It is my understanding that his crew are his own employees and not subcontractors. We have come across many other contractors hired by some of our neighbors and Don by far is the best. In fact, we are hoping to work with him closely in the future on our patio, etc. We highly recommend Don Thurbur of Silver Spring Landscaping.

Roy Mathew, Clarksville MD

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience working with Silver Spring Landscaping on our front yard redesign and backyard drainage work. Don was easy to work with, responsive, and gave us great advice. We look forward to working with him on future projects!

Don and his team truly transformed our backyard. Throughout the entire process, Don provided expertise and helpful suggestions to make our backyard a true oasis. His price was fair and entire team was so friendly and professional. We have already referred Don & his team to our local friends and family for all of their landscaping needs. Thanks again, Don! -Corey & Drew Davis in Silver Spring

In Don Thurber, I finally found someone who could solve the problem of a massive and high dry stack stone wall buikt in 1940 that had exploded in my backyard 34 years ago, and been an overgrown eyesore ever since. Others had advised it would take hundreds of thousands of dollars, require massive equipment, and could be replaced only by something brute or artificial looking.
Not only was Don Thurber able to use all of the stone that had been piled up for decades and hidden in the remains of the landslide, he recut it and blended it in with new stone so that the resultant terraces looked like extensions of the original wall,
Furthermore, everything was excavated by hand. No dump trucks or bulldozers. Then, his crew of amazingly talented master stonemasons spent 5 weeks executing a beautiful set of terraces of his own design. The result is nothing short of magnificent.
Focusing on the aesthetic, he also created and installed a drainage system into each terrace to address the hydrostatic problem that had led to the collapse of the hill originally. Plus, he added lighting that I never would have thought to include.
In other words, Silver Spring Landscaping exceeded all of my expectations. If you have a major project, and are willing to spend the funds necessary for a quality product, you have found the right person for the job. I really never thought I would, and am so glad I did.

Don Thurber and his team at Silver Spring Landscaping Professionals are “professionals” in every sense of the word—highly qualified and skilled, innovative, efficient, and dependable.
This spring, our yard was unusable—the rains of winter and early spring had rendered it a perpetually muddy mess. Having heard from friends and neighbors about Silver Spring Landscaping’s excellent drainage work, we called on Don for help--and we are very glad we did. He designed a system of French drains and swails that his crew installed in a little over a week. They also planted a beautiful garden in a previously wet section of the yard that I had simply abandoned, and added tasteful, low-voltage night lighting to the backyard.
Thanks to Silver Spring Landscaping Professionals, our yard has been transformed into a beautiful space for gardening, relaxing, playing with the dog, and entertaining. We recommend them highly, and we will definitely be contacting them in the future for our landscaping needs.

I just finished my second major project with Silver Spring Landscaping. Don is great. He listens to what you want and makes helpful suggestions. He completed my front steps and walk after another contractor walked out. SSL did an excellent job. With his creative landscaping suggestions, the front of my house looks beautiful and I've received many compliments. He just replaced a wall and back patio with the same attention to detail and style. SSL comes when scheduled, the crew cleans up after themselves and the prices are reasonable. SSL goes above and beyond to do a great job. Don't hesitate to call them for your next project.

Don is very professional, creative,knowledgeable ,and responsive. In addition to replacing the existing concrete patio with paver(original plan), He designed new landscape and fire pit area in our backyard. We have received many compliments from our neighbors, friends and family on how our backyard has totally transformed into a wonderful outdoor living space

Don’s team was fantastic! They were always on time, cleaned up every day,and took such care in what they do.Thank you Silverspring Landscaping for transforming our backyard !!!

Silver Spring Landscaping did a fantastic job in transforming our backyard by removing overgrown bushes, leveling the ground, planting new grass, landscaping, stonework, and drainage improvement. All work was done with excellent quality, professionalism, and timeliness. On the initial visit, Don was easily able to understand our vision, had great recommendations/advice, and it turned out amazing.