The Worst Business Owner I've Ever Worked With First, I want to mention that I am also a business owner with 15 years of experience, so I understand the challenges of running a business. That said, Markus at Liaison is the worst business owner I've ever had the misfortune of working with. I first contacted Liaison in September 2021 and received a top-end quote of $99,646. I signed the contract expecting work to begin within a month. However, seemingly because Markus took on every project he could get, my project was delayed until February 2022. Then, when work was supposed to start, they said they forgot to get the permit, pushing the project back again to March 2022 - a full 6 months after I signed the contract. The project finally ended, unfinished, in October 2022 - an astonishing 7 months after it began. During this entire time, my yard was torn up with a portable toilet in the front. There was no sense of urgency or efficient project management. I wish the delayed start was the end of my issues with Markus and Liaison, but it was just the beginning of the worst contracting experience of my life. Once the project finally started, I was informed that Sean, the project manager I originally met with, had quit. I was left without a project manager for weeks while the subcontractors tried to figure things out on their own. I had only met Markus in person for 10-15 minutes when he came to tell me Sean left. The project began with demolition and trenching. The trenching bill came in at exactly the high end of the original quote, even though it was supposed to be based on hours worked. It became clear that hours weren't being tracked in detail and Markus planned to simply bill the maximum for each line item. The original quote only included a line for "Retrofit existing - Time and material at $85 pr. hr." Yet I was billed $7,200 for trenching alone, not even the irrigation retrofit. No change order was ever made for this major scope increase. Next was the hot tub pad and decking, which ended up costing nearly $50,000. Issues included: - The deck was finished before the gas line was hooked up, requiring boards to be pulled up - The deck finish needed to be redone by a third party - The removable stairs to access the hot tub panel were misaligned and wobbly Furthermore, despite repeatedly communicating our desire for a clover lawn, Markus' crew showed up one day and added gravel, compacting it down because they thought we wanted grass turf. This not only added cost but required completely tearing up the yard later because they didn't fully remove the gravel, leaving the soil too compact for growth. When it came time for planting, the crew brought about 20% of the wrong plants. After I rearranged many of them into the correct layout, we later discovered that some still weren't the ones we originally selected. Many aspects of the project were changed without any negotiation. When I brought this up, I was told that I had made the changes myself, without any evidence or even an in-person conversation. This is the result of a detached business owner who has taken on too many contracts, a lack of project management, poor business organization, and/or blatant dishonesty. After more than a year, $125,000 paid, going through two project managers who did next to nothing, a budget overrun of nearly 30%, much of the original plan scrapped, and having to redo a lot of the work ourselves, I was done with this disorganized company. The only positive was working with Ernie, the electrical/gas subcontractor, who demonstrated integrity, communication, respect, and quality work. I strongly encourage anyone considering a project larger than simple decking or fencing to find a different contractor. Even for those, I'd advise finding someone more organized and honest to work with than Liaison. The experience was so bad, I am likely considering a lawsuit against Markus and Liaison.

Liaison Landscapes
Liaison Landscapes at a glance
Google reviewers rate Liaison Landscapes 4.7 out of 5 based on 26 reviews, frequently praising the firm's punctuality, communication, and ability to deliver high-quality backyard renovations within budget. Customers highlight the company's proficiency in hardscaping, including concrete, patios, and custom structures, as well as the professionalism of the design and construction teams. However, low-star comments indicate occasional dissatisfaction with initial quote pricing and unresponsive communication during project declines, while the owner has replied to only 4% of reviews.
- Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 26 reviews (88% five-star).
- Reviews on this page: 26 Google reviews (24 with written comments, 9 with photos).
- Owner responses: the business replied to 4% of reviews.
- Most recent review: January 29, 2026.
- Service: Lawn Mower Repair Service serving Vacaville, California.
Data from Google, last updated November 5, 2026.
Score profile vs other lawn mower repair services
Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and value; weakest: craft & service.
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
26 Google reviews we collected
- 5 stars2388%
- 4 stars14%
- 3 stars00%
- 2 stars14%
- 1 star14%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 24 written reviews
- Praise6792%
- Complaints68%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
- Quality & results1622%
- Staff & attitude1521%
- Speed & response1419%
- Would recommend1318%
- Price & value68%
- Honesty & trust57%
- Communication45%
What customers talk about
We read 24 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“From start to finish, Liaison Landscapes exceeded my expectations.”
“The team was professional, courteous, and efficient!”
“The work itself was done on time and within budget.”
“However, seemingly because Markus took on every project he could get, my project was delayed until February 2022.”
“If you're looking for a company that combines expertise, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, look no further than Liaison Landscapes.”
“…SF is always challenging (old homes, various city stuff, neighbors, cost), but Liaison was a great choice and we can’t recommend them highly enough.…”
“They were transparent about the timeline and budget, ensuring there were no surprises along the way.”
“First and foremost, the communication throughout the entire process was exceptional.”
People customers mention
- Markus 11 reviews
- Sean 5 reviews
- Luis 3 reviews
- Rene 3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Liaison Landscapes for 4 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Recent reviews
Markus and his team did an INCREDIBLE job on our major backyard renovation. The design itself was creative and beautiful. Markus listened to everything we wanted and incorporated it into the design perfectly. The work itself was done on time and within budget. His entire team was very professional and effective. It…
Markus and team did an awesome job on our backyard. We gave them a rough idea of what we wanted and they came up with a great design that fit our budget. They got the work done quickly and were very professional. Every guy on the team took a lot of pride in their work and made sure it was done correctly. They worked…
Fantastic Design. Quality construction. We selected Liaison Landscapes for a sizable backyard project that included patios, concrete and landscaping. Markus shared our vision for how we wanted to use our yard and offered up some unique suggestions that complimented the project perfectly. Working with the designer…
Markus and his team did an awesome job on redoing our entire yard. Their concrete work is top notch, and they were even able to do a very specific finish that I was looking for! His team also did beautiful work with our custom wood and steel pergola. We are so pleased with the results!
Contacted Liaison regarding a landscape renovation at my home. Asked to take photos and describe the desired concept for the project. Never got to speak with anyone other than some clerical assistant who clearly had no project management or landscape experience. Was sent a terse email declining the project without…
Working with Liaison Landscapes has been an awesome experience. My partner and I were of opposing opinions on how we should design our back yard. We agreed to hire professionals and have an open mind to whatever they recommended. Liaison Landscapes came up with an AWESOME design that both my partner and I are…
Jobs customers hired them for
| Job | Reviews | Category typical |
|---|---|---|
| Retaining walls | 2 | — |
| Hardscaping | 2 | — |
| Landscape installations | 2 | — |
| Yard landscaping | 2 | — |
Compare with
Photos
Customer reviews
4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews on Google · rating breakdown
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
From start to finish, Liaison Landscapes exceeded my expectations. I had a vague concept of what I wanted in a backyard, but I needed profession help! I had a list of must haves, wants, and aspirational items. Elliott was able to help design a project that we could work on in stages. I gave them a budget and we were able to get the majority of the things I wanted within the budget! The team was professional, courteous, and efficient! I can't believe how quickly they were able to finish the project, and they left the space neat and clean. I appreciate the flexibility when I wanted things moved or changed (even while the project was happening). I appreciate Markus' availability to review the work and his desire to make sure I was happy with the final results. If you are looking for a landscaping company to help you design your outdoor living space, and then bring it to life, Liaison Landscapes is your place!
Liaison Landscapes Transformed My Backyard into a Dream Space! I recently had the pleasure of working with Liaison Landscapes to revamp my backyard, and I cannot express how thrilled I am with the results. From start to finish, the team at Liaison Landscapes demonstrated unparalleled professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. First and foremost, the communication throughout the entire process was exceptional. The team took the time to understand my vision for the space, offering insightful suggestions to enhance the overall design. They were transparent about the timeline and budget, ensuring there were no surprises along the way. The transformation itself is nothing short of magical. The unused, messy area that once plagued my backyard is now a stunning basketball court surrounded by lush turf sitting areas. The integration of plants and lighting has added a touch of natural beauty while making the space functional and inviting, even during the evening hours. What truly sets Liaison Landscapes apart is their commitment to quality craftsmanship. Every detail, from the choice of materials to the precision in the execution, reflects their dedication to creating outdoor spaces that stand the test of time. The basketball court is not only a joy to play on but also a visually striking centerpiece that has become the envy of my neighbors. Moreover, the team demonstrated a genuine passion for their work, and it was evident that they took pride in delivering beyond my expectations. The project was completed on schedule, and the end result far exceeded what I had envisioned. I wholeheartedly recommend Liaison Landscapes to anyone in search of a professional and creative landscaping team. They have turned my backyard into a haven, and I couldn't be more pleased. If you're looking for a company that combines expertise, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, look no further than Liaison Landscapes. They've earned every bit of this 5-star rating!
- Services: Artificial turf installation, Custom landscape design, Garden design, Garden landscaping, Hardscaping, Landscape design, Landscape design construction, Landscape installations, Lawn landscaping, Outdoor step construction, Outdoor water feature design, Retaining wall design, Retaining walls, Tree landscaping, Yard drainage, Yard grading, Yard landscaping
Markus and his team did an INCREDIBLE job on our major backyard renovation. The design itself was creative and beautiful. Markus listened to everything we wanted and incorporated it into the design perfectly. The work itself was done on time and within budget. His entire team was very professional and effective. It was a disruptive project but we had multiple neighbors tell us how great all the workers were throughout it. They were flexible with our timing and requirements and the communication was great throughout the entire project. We've had numerous people over to the backyard since it was completed and everyone is amazed by how beautifully it turned out. We honestly can't recommend Liaison Landscapes highly enough.
Markus and team did an awesome job on our backyard. We gave them a rough idea of what we wanted and they came up with a great design that fit our budget. They got the work done quickly and were very professional. Every guy on the team took a lot of pride in their work and made sure it was done correctly. They worked with our last minute adjustments and made sure the final result was something we were happy with. We used to avoid going in our backyard because of the mess that it was but now we love it!
Fantastic Design. Quality construction. We selected Liaison Landscapes for a sizable backyard project that included patios, concrete and landscaping. Markus shared our vision for how we wanted to use our yard and offered up some unique suggestions that complimented the project perfectly. Working with the designer Elliot was exceptional as his attention to detail really helped shape the final design. The Liaison crew on-site knows how to build with a tremendous attention to detail. We could not be happier with the result and would highly recommend Liaison to others looking to makeover their outdoor living space.
Thank you so much, Gavin! We enjoyed working with you and are so happy that you love the new space.
READ UNTIL THE END: We contacted Liason Landscapes for designing and remodeling our backyard. After a few discussions, we were quite happy with the design and a few months later, the work started. It took about 6-7 weeks for the work to complete. The concrete work they did was absolutely amazing. We loved the pavers and the artificial turf. Things were fine for about 2 weeks after the work completion and then things started falling apart. First, the plumbing that was done, started leaking and we had to spend about 900$ to get it fixed immediately to stop water wastage. Next, half of the segment of string lights in the backyard stopped working which is when we realized the way they had connected two strings was extremely poor and wasn’t designed to last even in moderate winds. I tried contacting Markus as well as Chris, the project manager regarding this issue but neither replied to my messages. Now here I am without working lights in my backyard trying to figure out how to salvage the situation. These guys don’t come cheap but we went ahead with them anyway assuming we would get quality work, but just a couple weeks later, I’m unable to use our backyard at night and having spent money on fixing plumbing that these guys did. I would ONLY recommend them if you DO NOT intend to do any plumbing and/or electrical work.
- Services: Yard landscaping
Markus and his team did an awesome job on redoing our entire yard. Their concrete work is top notch, and they were even able to do a very specific finish that I was looking for! His team also did beautiful work with our custom wood and steel pergola. We are so pleased with the results!
Contacted Liaison regarding a landscape renovation at my home. Asked to take photos and describe the desired concept for the project. Never got to speak with anyone other than some clerical assistant who clearly had no project management or landscape experience. Was sent a terse email declining the project without any explanation or recommendations. Unprofessional and arrogant to say the least. I suspect that any positive reviews that appear are either solicited or given some "discount".
- Negative: Responsiveness, Professionalism
Working with Liaison Landscapes has been an awesome experience. My partner and I were of opposing opinions on how we should design our back yard. We agreed to hire professionals and have an open mind to whatever they recommended. Liaison Landscapes came up with an AWESOME design that both my partner and I are thrilled about. They have been nothing but professional and friendly. Our design iteration meetings were truly enjoyable. We highly recommend their services!
- Positive: Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism
- Services: Landscape installations
Business details
- Address: 1991 Mayette Ave, Concord, CA 94520
- Phone: (415) 805-3404
- Website: liaisonlandscapes.com
- Service area: Vacaville, CA
