Successful landscape design at Great American Landscapes must accomplish two things. First, it must consider, address, and encompass all the clients' needs, desires and budget ranges. Second, it must lead to the installation of an aesthetically pleasing, creative and functional landscape that meets or exceeds their expectations—that's it!

“I hated my backyard—I thought it was small, cramped and ugly. I avoided spending time there and it bothered me to even look at it through my family room windows. But, the designer I worked with from Great American Landscapes had a vision for my backyard. He asked me what I wanted from the space, he listened to me—and he created a beautiful oasis in my “little” backyard. Our ugly backyard was transformed into a gorgeous outdoor living space. We love it!!!” -Janice McSween, Bethesda MD

If these two criteria are not met, a design is just a pretty picture and most likely a waste of the client's time and money.

Our designers are first and foremost consultants and their primary responsibility in the design process is to listen and listen well. Only then can they help guide the client through all the aesthetic, practical and budgetary aspects and consideration a successful design requires. 



Successful landscape installation is also very simply defined at Great American: quality materials assembled by experienced craftsman in a professional and timely manner, again while meeting or exceeding client expectations.

Defining something and accomplishing it are two different things. To assure we are consistently providing successful landscape installation, we are committed to an ongoing training and evaluation system of our entire installation process.

“Your design concepts were unique and imaginative, and the implementation was masterfully done. We also want to acknowledge the professional manner in which you and your crew performed the work. All schedules were met punctually and as promised. And the crew worked hard, efficiently, and cooperatively in a manner that would be the envy of any manager. Thanks so much for brightening our lives.” -Carol and Darold Silkwood, Bethesda MD

This includes scheduled in- and out-of-house training, product and manufacturer seminars, and certificate achievement programs for our designers and crew leaders. Client evaluation surveys follow every installation to give us quick feedback on our performance.

The most effective mechanism we employ, however, is a unique Foreman incentive program developed over a five year period. It encourages and rewards attention to detail, professional advancement, accountability, communication and innovation— not speed or profit.



A successful landscape installation does not stay that way; maintenance is required as a landscape matures and changes. Not only does a successful maintenance program protect a client’s initial investment, it adds to quality of life through the enjoyment of a well-kept landscape.

The primary ingredient of a successful maintenance program at Great American Landscapes is not bright flowers or well spread mulch, fancy trucks or equipment, as important as they may be: it is COMMUNICATION.

Our maintenance team must be able to establish good lines of COMMUNICATION with a client to ascertain expectation level as well as lifestyle and budget requirements. After using this information to help develop a maintenance program that best serves these collective needs, our manager must then COMMUNICATE them to our staff and crew. Ongoing and regular COMMUNICATION between us and our clients ensures their satisfaction and keeps them with us year after year.


Service? Yes, Service! Service is indeed a priority at Great American Landscapes, and one we are particularly and uniquely committed to. Customer service is what enables us to deliver all our other services as consistently, professionally, and successfully as we do.

“I would like to thank you all for the fine professional work you did. It was really a pleasure to have a company to do exactly what they promised and do it so promptly and neatly. There was nothing left to clean up or finish when your workers left each day! Plus they were always here at exactly the hour they said they would be starting. They were courteous and very conscientious about their work. Thank you again for such a pleasant experience and for the fine results you produced.” -Kathleen & Steve Emanuel, Gaithersburg MD