By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Business name:? Monette Landscaping
Address: 133 Wilson St., Spencer
Owner:? Richard Monette
Contact Information: 508-885-2579, www.monettelandscaping.com
How long have you been in business?
“My father started in 1947, and we'se been in business ever since,” said Richard Monette, who owns the landscaping business with his wife, Kim. Their sons will be the third generation owners. Jason Monette is now a co-owner of the landscaping company, and Eric Monette is taking over the firm's paving business, Accurate Asphalt.
What services do you provide?
“We offer full maintenance services. We specialize in hardscapes??”walls, patios, walkways, and also can provide water gardens, landscape design, lighting, irrigation, hydroseeding. We do the whole nine yards,” Richard said.
“We also do commercial maintenance work, like shopping center maintenance, plantings, parking lots, snow removal,” Kim added.
“Our website has a large portfolio of project and product photos and detailed information on our services,” Richard said. The website is www.monettelandscaping.com.
What geographic area do you serve?
“It depends on the size of the project,” Richard said. “Some of our largest projects have been on Nantucket Island, including the Nantucket Inn. We'sl go anywhere in New England for a large project. Our routine lawn maintenance work stretches from here east to Northborough and Westborough. When it comes to snow removal, we have to work in our own area to service people properly. We do mostly commercial snow removal, but some residential as well.”
What are some of the most popular projects in landscaping?
“Outdoor living spaces are the trend now??”outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, grills, outdoor fire pits. Rather than spending the summer inside, you can move your living area, your kitchen outside,” Jason said. “Landscape lighting is also very popular.”
“You'se basically extending your living space to the outdoors so you can really use your yard, have more space for entertaining,” Kim said.
“Another trend is water features,” Jason said. “People like the sound of the water and the look of a waterfall. For people who don's want the maintenance required with a pond, there are “pondless” waterfalls. The water falls into an underground reservoir covered with stones and is recirculated. These pondless waterfalls can be large or small and you can put them almost anywhere. Water features can be built right into hardscapes, with water flowing over a wall, for example.”
What sets your company apart?
“Integrity,” Richard replied immediately. “We do what we say, and if someone has a question or a problem, we handle it. We are men of our word. If someone is beating our price by a lot of money, it means there are some materials missing. If we specify a certain size shrub, we plant that size shrub. If it dies, we guarantee it and will come back the next year to replace it. That's what keeps us going. Our people are fully insured, and we'se A+ with the Better Business Bureau.”