Landscape Contractor, Landscape Architect

[Barbara Eandi]

Dana [e-mail] Banks was the contractor on our yard which we completely relandscaped this year. The project included a significant amount of hardscape in the form of walkways and patio extensions as well as a long, angular seat wall that defines much of the backyard.Although Dana did not do the design for our yard, she holds a masters degree in landscape architecture from Berkeley and is a licensed landscape architect. She worked for a number of years designing public installations and residential projects before concentrating her efforts on installation contracting 11 years ago. However, her design skills are in evidence several places in our yard, notably in a wedge wall that gives the effect of disappearing into the ground.Dana has been a pleasure to work with. As clients, we found her unflappability in the face of unanticipated situations that inevitably arise on most jobs of any size very reassuring. Her prices are quite competitive and she was faithful to her estimates except in one instance where we had to change a component when the originally bid material became unavailable.She is meticulous in her oversight of her crew which is extremely competent, hard-working, neat and polite. Most of her employees have been with her for many years and seem to take real pride in their work. They clean up their workspace at the end of each day and leave everything tidy and secure.Dana has an interest in modernist design and can bring an undergraduate art degree to bear on creative undertakings in this area. With her background in installation, landscape architecture and art, she is an excellent resource for home owners wishing to update or reinvent their landscapes and we highly recommend her.