Smart Scapes LLC

I used these guys for a few major projects in the past. They were pretty good, now they are a disaster. I realize it was because they had some good installers, not because of knowledgeable and concerned ownership and management. Today there are all new installers, and I would rate them as the worst in Middle Tennessee. It is unfortunate I had to give them a “1” rather than a deserved “-10”. We were told that Smart Scapes was putting their “best crew” on our job… God help the customers that got their worst crew. I could write pages of what is wrong with the decking they installed around our pool, but the highlights are: • Badly uneven pavers • Joints done by “eyeball”, not using spacers. Joints were spaced from zero to 3/8” wide • Crappy cuts with large spacing to be filled in with polymeric sand • Steps designed dangerously (not even close to code) with widely varied rise and run that caused tripping most time they were used • Minimal polymeric sand (about 1/8” to ¼” thick), so when it rained, the finished grout washed away, and crappy dirt showed through • Edges along the landscaping were not finished so there was no grout to the edge of the pavers and the rough-cut edges showed • David Schmutz and the crew were handed the pattern required by the manufacturer and chosen by us for proper installation… the idiots put them wherever they wanted. The heck with what the customer pays for… • They cut the pavers using a dry saw… most real professionals use a wet saw to prevent dust and a cleaner cut. The dust was all over my property, trees, house, outdoor furniture, etc. I pressure washed it off. • The pool ladder needs to be removable for the cover in winter… they used construction adhesive to permanently secure it. I used my 2-ton bottle jack to safely remove it and it is now usable again. • Oil from their leaking machines spilled all over my driveway, they said they would come back to clean up… never did • Terrible communication. No one on the job spoke English, and when I asked the foreman, David Schmutz, to check in with my wife each day when I was gone on business, he said he would. Never did once… no missed calls, no texts, nothing There are many complaints in other reviews of this guy talking down to women and being disrespectful. I believe it. When confronting David Schmutz with the problems, instead of acting as a concerned businessman who took pride in his product, he acted as a spoiled 5-year-old blaming everyone else for his mess. He essentially said his installers are unable to provide quality work. I wish I knew that prior. I did not have them come back to fix the problems because if they had ANY idea how to install pavers there would be little to fix… and the entire job basically needs to be redone… Smart Scapes personnel are no longer allowed on my property. As a result, I am re-doing the entire job myself… about 2,000 sq ft. I am 73 and riddled with arthritis but I am taking my time, and the job is looking like a professional did it (I never installed limestone pavers before)… it no longer looks like a Junior Achievement project gone bad. Bottom line, if any hardscape supplier recommends Smart Scapes… immediately find another supplier.

As a self-employed freelance writer, finding companies to work with who value me as a team member and not “Just another contractor” can be challenging. After six years in the business and dozens of companies I’ve worked with, I have yet to find a business that has made me feel at home like Smart Scapes, LLC does. I met the team at a networking event shortly after moving to the Nashville area many years ago, and their CEO, David, immediately offered me his hand and introduced himself. He showed an interest in my work, and he decided to bring me on to help write marketing materials and educational packets for his clients. My role in the company is to show clients and employees alike just how valuable a perfectly designed, installed, and eco-friendly outdoor space really is. Since then, I’ve been a part of the Smart Scapes group. I’m not an in-house employee, but these guys treat me like family. They invite me to all of their weekend feasts, their after-work-hours collabs, and their Thanksgiving Friendsgiving holidays. This is a company that cares about their team. It’s a group that believes in empowering everyone they come into contact with, employees and clients alike. The Smart Scapes leadership helps employees improve their skills in other areas of life too, making for a company culture that is quite meaningful and valuable. I’m very grateful to be in their group, and I encourage anyone who’s interested in working with a GREAT Nashville team to reach out to them.

My wife and I moved into Nashville from the Tennessee countryside. Working with horses, cattle, and other livestock, we know a thing or two about how fast an outdoor space can become a muddy mess, especially during the rainy season. We moved into town and bought a tall n’ skinny home in west Nashville. The yard space between us and our neighbor was NOT designed well for drainage. Every time it rained, we had a muddy mess, which is exactly what we were trying to get away from. Also, thanks to the size of the space and the position of the lot, our yard got almost no sun, hence nothing would grow. Smart Scapes LLC came in and solved multiple problems at once. They installed a paver patio, walkway, and outdoor kitchenette. They put down artificial turf (SO easy to maintain). They hand-selected multiple plantings and flowers that do well in shaded areas. They installed drainage solutions below the patio, walkway, synthetic turf, and garden area. Now we have an outdoor space we can use! We highly recommend Smart Scapes LLC for taking any outdoor problem you might have and turning it into a beautiful outdoor solution that you’ll love.

I've worked with the Smart Scapes crew a few times in the last two years. Every time we do business, I'm impressed. In fact, they exceed my expectations. They're always prompt, on time, they always answer my calls, and they always have a great attitude. Plus their magicians when it comes to landscaping and hardscapes, and their techniques with the permeable paving technology is excellence bar none. Would highly recommend.