See how Exscape Designs can create a gorgeous outdoor retreat right in your own backyard
By Mitch Allen
A few weeks ago, Exscape Designs founder Bill Dysert was gearing up for one of the busiest seasons yet in his company’s long history of creating gorgeous exterior design/build projects, and handling landscaping and estate maintenance for busy homeowners.
Surprisingly, that hasn’t changed in the era of Covid-19. The company is still gearing up for a busy summer. They’re even hiring.
“Many people are spending a lot of time at home right now and they wish they had a more enjoyable environment around them,” Bill says. “We’re getting calls from homeowners who are ready to launch all kinds of projects, including swimming pools, spas, fire pits, fireplaces, and outdoor kitchens and structures. There is so much we can do.”
And that’s one of Exscape Designs’ key advantages: they offer a wide variety of services so they are always busy in one area or another. In addition to design/build projects, they offer spring and fall clean-up, lawn and bed maintenance, tree and shrub pruning, mulching, and lawn care. They also design and install enhancements like new flowerbeds, outdoor lighting systems, and drainage work. And with the company’s growth mindset, they are now doing pressure washing, and sanding of concrete paver patios and walkways, irrigation management, and water feature start-up and shut-down.
If it happens outdoors, Exscape Designs pretty much does it. And that’s why they’re hiring.
Changing Careers
“We have all kinds of jobs to fill,” Bill says, “from mowing, blowing, sweeping and edging, all the way up to project management. We don’t hire strictly based on experience, while experience adds value we tend to try to hire people with work ethics and personal values that align with our company core values. Our employees have a strong work ethic and attention to detail. And we want them on a continuous learning path so they grow with the company. In short, we don’t want to hire people and hold them accountable; we want to hire accountable people.”
The company is also hiring and training “Enhancement Crews.” Rather than weeks-long construction projects, these teams will design and install smaller landscaping projects, like new flower beds.
“A lot of people have been laid off right now and they’re doing some soul searching about what they want to do with their lives,” Bill says. “If you’re interested in changing careers and doing something rewarding—where you can be outside and have opportunities for advancement—tell us about yourself.”
To apply for a position with Exscape Designs’ growing team, visit ExscapeDesigns.com/careers to complete a simple online employment application. The company is also interested in the acquisition of small landscape-oriented firms whose owners are ready to do something different. Firms that align with our culture and may have people that share our passion for the industry and work we do.
Working Under the Stay-at-home Order
Although maintaining your home and grounds under Governor DeWine’s stay-at-home order is considered essential, Exscape Designs’ crews are taking extra precautions, including doing virtual design consultations.
“We’ve already done over 30 Zoom meetings with clients and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Matthew Montgomery, the company’s Business Development Team Leader. “A month ago, I would not have thought that we could do these meetings virtually, but it works. Now—even after the governor’s order is lifted—we may still do Zoom meetings because they’re more convenient for our clients, who are often physicians and business professionals. They can only meet after hours, so many of them would much prefer to meet virtually.”
Coincidentally, one of Exscape Designs’ current clients is an Infection Preventionist who enjoys spending his limited spare time working with Bill’s team on his design/build project. “It’s an escape for him,” Matthew says. “He calls it his ‘happy time.’”
Full-service Landscape Maintenance
In addition to stunning design/build projects, Exscape Designs offers full-service landscape maintenance for both residential and commercial clients. The company has bundled the top five landscape services into a single, convenient annual package:
- Spring clean-up
- Lawn and bed maintenance
- Pruning and mulching
- Lawn care
- Fall clean-up
You’ll be assigned a dedicated account manager who becomes your single point of contact.
The Exscape Designs offices and design center are located at 10121 Kinsman Road in Novelty. The company serves all of Northeast Ohio. For more information or to schedule a free initial consultation, call 440-729-0011 or visit ExscapeDesigns.com. You may also visit Houzz for idea books, examples of the company’s work, customer testimonials and more.