We hired Gutierrez Pros for a major backyard project--retaining walls (including on a steep hill), leveling, a sprinkler system, and fencing. We got several quotes and chose them based on pricing, but the experience was frustrating and disappointing.
They didn't speak English, which wasn't an issue since they used a translator. However, they had to come back multiple times to remeasure, and it became clear early on that there were many misunderstandings. They initially said we needed 15 tons of dirt. After I questioned this several times (based on other companies' estimates), they upped it to 20 tons. We ended up needing 60. They charged $1,000/day to wheelbarrow it in until we insisted they rent equipment, which they should've done from the start.
The retaining wall was built too short, despite clear instructions, and rather than fixing it, they changed our fence layout. The wall also looked crooked--I was told it was an optical illusion, but post-build measurements proved it's not straight. We were also clear that we wanted to invest in high-quality materials, but they kept pushing cheaper wood for the garden fence. When built, the wood was warped, nails were exposed, and nothing was sanded--it looks unfinished and rushed.
The sprinkler system was another issue. They forgot heads, installed the indoor control box outside (I had to catch and correct this), and left sprinklers running all day before a freeze without blowing out the system. If I hadn't stopped them, it could've caused serious damage.
We later asked for a quote to terrace our hill. They initially said $20K, then came back a week later with a $30K quote--no changes in scope, just a higher number. When I asked for clarification, they stopped responding. I also sent follow-up questions about drainage and structure--no response. After more research and talking to other pros, we suspect they didn't add proper drainage behind the wall they already built.
They also skipped compacting the dirt, which was in the original quote. When asked, they said they'd come back to do it--but never did. I had to be outside daily, managing and clarifying everything. It felt like they needed constant supervision, which would be a huge issue for anyone who can't be home all day.
In the end, we spent a lot of money and have several issues to fix. I can't recommend Gutierrez Pros for large or complex landscaping projects. read more