Landscape Architect Articles

Good Samaritan Rescues Backyard09-06-16 | Department

Good Samaritan Rescues Backyard

Advant-Edge Decorative Curbing and Landscaping Inc., Peoria, Ariz., did a backyard remodeling project pro bono for two women who had been scammed out of more $8,000. Owner David Bell and 14 of his employees installed about 800 square feet of pavers, 500 square feet of artificial grass, 10 FX Luminaire LED spotlights and path lights, a Rain Bird drip irrigation system, about 15 plants, four 600-pound boulders and a slew of rocks. They also built a fire pit made of blocks weighing about 30 pounds each. The backyard was about 2,000 square feet, and the weight of all the materials "?u including the pavers, rocks, boulders, base material and sand "?u came to about 100,000 pounds.

Advant-Edge donated all the labor, supplies for the lighting and irrigation systems, and the plants. But other companies gave toward the project as well: Rock "n' Rollin' Rock Sales (Brian Dein), rocks, boulders and base material for the pavers; Belgard Hardscapes (Nathan Angel and Brian Huta), pavers and fire pit; Grand Materials (Bill Shlosser), artificial turf and infill. Bell donated about $17,000 toward the project, including demolition.
-Photos: David Bell, Advant-Edge Decorative Curbing and Landscaping Inc.

When David Bell learned what had been done to the backyard of a home in Peoria, Arizona, and how the two women who live there had been ripped off, well, he just had to step in.

His conscience just couldn't let this go. He was disturbed, appalled even, at how the women were treated, and was compelled to right a wrong.

An unlicensed contactor had taken advantage of Kathy Roe and her 88-year-old mother, Rita. He began the remodeling project, took $8,100 from them and then walked off the job, leaving the backyard in a shambles.

Bell, owner of Advant-Edge Decorative Curbing and Landscaping Inc., also in Peoria, came to the women's rescue. He and 14 of his employees reworked the project, starting by tearing out what the previous "contractor" had put in. Bell said his predecessor's work was so bad, none of it could be salvaged.

"The workmanship was horrible, actually," Bell said. "We basically redid the whole thing and started over."

Advant-Edge donated all the labor, supplies for the lighting and irrigation systems, and about 15 plants. Altogether, the company's contribution amounted to about $17,000, including the demolition. Three other companies (mentioned in the caption) gave toward the project as well.

Bell said he believes strongly in giving back to the community, and he does about three or four pro bono projects a year. "If it wasn't for this community, (Advant-Edge) wouldn't be here."

As seen in LC/DBM magazine, September 2016.