PorterBrook II

When we moved to our new home we hired Sean Porter to build our koi pond. We were very specific about the size, depth, water volume, etc. We needed, at minimum, a 10,000 gallon pond as we had several large koi. He assured us he'd built many ponds, had the credentials, etc. including his degree from Penn State. We were quite impressed and hired him, but even though he showed us the calculations he used to create the pond, we soon determined the pond was not even close to what we needed. The capacity was only 3,500 gallons and we learned this was really the first large pond he'd ever built. Because of him our koi were stressed due to inadequate water conditions and we lost one of our prime breeders. Fortunately we found a qualified professional pond builder who secured the koi in a temporary pond while they reconstructed the mess Sean made. We stumbled on Sean's current website and felt it necessary to let others know that he lied to us and caused us a great deal of stress, financial loss and aggravation. We'd give him negative stars if we could.

I hired PorterBrook II to renovate my backyard. I contacted 5 landscapers initially, but picked PB II because of the promptness of their response and because when they came out to discuss my project and provide me an estimate, I appreciated the artistic touch given to the design and the design seemed more personalized to my specific yard shape and size. I already had an existing koi pond as well as a circular stone patio which Scott did a great job incorporating into his new design. He also put quite a bit thought into what softscape to plant. When I had some financial concerns, he very nicely came back out to discuss how I could save some money but still be happy with the end project. They ended up having to reset the circular stone patio and connected it to a brand new matching stone patio in a nice sweeping pattern. They also did a great job trimming all my overgrown bushes and even took the extra step to dig out a large weed/bush in my neighbor's yard that was growing into my yard - and refused to take additional money from my neighbor. Sean and his partner were very professional and timely in their work during the project. All in all I am very pleased and would recommend them to anyone looking for a renovation to their yard.

I have collaborated with Porterbrook II Inc. on a number of outdoor projects. Sean is a talented landscape designer with an eye for transforming unique spaces. Their installation team leaders (Moises, Chris, Francisco, and Travys) are knowledgeable and skilled in their craft. You will find working with PorterBrook to be an enjoyable experience.

We had a fabulous patio designed and built by Porter Brooks II in our back yard which went beyond my expectations! I just really wanted a small patio area at the bottom of my deck stairs to stop erosion, mud from being tracked in, and the cat using this area as an outdoor litter box. Sean Porter immediately was able to see this as being a much more useful area than I had imagined and designed a small, but gorgeous terraced round patio which we have enjoyed on numerous occasions with family and friends round our new portable firepit. When we mentioned to Sean that we would soon be renting our house for two years while living overseas, he helped us set up a quarterly garden maintenance package which has been fabulous. Now our renters don't have to worry about what is a weed and what is not or how far back they should cut things. We are grateful for Porter Brooks and would indeed recommend them. -Heather Wandell, Ellicott City, MD

We live in a partially wooded area in Great Falls, Virginia. Porterbrook provided landscape improvement and maintenance services to our property for about four years. They were very knowledgeable about all of the services they provided and the personnel were excellent to work with. They came to our property about six times per year. In addition to landscape maintenance tasks, they built a very attractive two level retaining wall of stacked stones for one of our beds, The personnell were knowledgable, polite and a pleasure to have on the property. Donald and Ann Dinger, Great Falls, Virginia.

Sean Porter has done a number of landscaping projects for us over the years. Our first contract with Porterbrook included a large outdoor fireplace, patio, and landscaping of the backyard. Over the following years, Sean transformed the landscaping of our entire yard. We have highly recommended Porterbrook to many friends and family and everyone has been very pleased with his creativity, attention to detail, and his ability to work within their budget.

Sean Porter designed and installed a new paved front entry walkway and the gardens around it. His designs were much more than I originally expected and the end results are beautiful. His crew that installed this worked hard and were knowledgeable about the plants. They made sure the work was done according to the plans and that I knew how to maintain all of it. I have been so pleased with their work that I have had a maintenance contract with them each year since the installation 4 years ago.

PorterBrook was great to work with on our backyard patio project. We had a general idea for several patio areas with adjoining walkways. During initial discussions with Sean, he understood what we were looking for and, based on his creativity and experience, made suggestions that really made the finished project unique and beautiful, bringing together once disparate backyard elements into unified, flowing sitting areas with curved walkways. The PorterBrooke team is truly a group of skilled professionals who worked hard and finished our project ahead of schedule. In addition to the beautiful hardscaping, PorterBrooke created flower beds of various sizes and shapes for landscaping in the spring, that will add another fantastic dimension to our backyard.

From design to installation and maintenance, Porterbrook has been a pleasure to work with. Everyone who worked on our project was professional and courteous throughout the process. The company worked through every question, concern or change until we were completely satisfied. We would highly recommend Porterbrook II!!

PorterBrook did an entire backyard project for us, including an original fire pit. It is beautiful and was painstaking work for them, because we were picky about having it be symmetrical. They were patient, and it is so beautiful back here. Very peaceful.

PorterBrook II are true professionals. They know their landscaping work, can design anything from scratch and build it themselves. They have quality people doing their design and installation and they don't abandon you when the job is done. They frequently check back and make sure the landscape is beautiful for all to admire. They will make the neighbors jealous and want to do their home to look like yours.

We consulted with PorterBrook II to solve a drainage/erosion problem in the front of our home. To compliment our Cape Cod style home, PorterBrook II came back with their suggestion of a dry stack retaining wall while connecting the downspout to a 4" drain pipe buried below grade and connecting to a lawn pop-up. The wall measures approximately 28' long, 16' wide, and 12" tall with a boulder anchoring the end. The finished wall is absolutely gorgeous and was completed in a timely manner with the work area kept and left clean. All of the PorterBrook II employees were very professional, personable, hardworking, and detailed oriented. It was truly a pleasure to work with PorterBrook II, and we highly recommend them and their high quality work. Sincerely, Kim and Sally Long