Stratton Landscaping in Midlothian

Stratton Landscaping

(804) 324-8127 www.strattonlandscaping.com

14332 Justice Rd Unit C, Midlothian, Virginia 23113

Tree Services: Large Trees, Works Near Structures, Tree Planting

Your local full-service Landscaping and Hardscaping company servicing the local Richmond and all surrounding areas on all things outdoors!

4.7 from 117 reviews

5 stars
107
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 stars
8

Pros

  • They maintain clear and consistent communication throughout the project.
  • They transformed the yard into a beautiful oasis with meticulous attention to detail.
  • The team is punctual, professional, and friendly.
  • Sam is honest, trustworthy, and genuinely cares about clients’ best interests.
  • Their workmanship is top-notch and they use high-quality materials.
  • They handle complex projects with creativity and effective problem-solving, even on challenging terrain.
  • Their customer service is amazing and often exceeds expectations.
  • They complete work in a timely fashion and keep clients updated.
  • They listen to ideas and provide valuable insights that fit budgets.

Cons

Based on reviews representing only 8% of total ratings

  • Stratton took months longer to deliver initial designs and revisions.
  • Stratton canceled the project, never delivered plans, and did not respond to refund requests for $2,500.
  • Stratton does not stand behind their warranty and did not respond to warranty-related inquiries.

Review Overview

Stratton Landscaping of Midlothian, Virginia is best suited for homeowners who face substantial yard makeovers that blend drainage, grading, and hillside stabilization with hardscape and planting work. This is a practical fit for properties with uneven terrain, bank erosion, or creek-edge challenges, where a single crew can coordinate tree work, grading, drainage installations, and patios or driveways. Budget-wise, Stratton tends to serve mid-to-upper range projects where design input, project management, and reliable scheduling justify the price. Urgency matters: straightforward tree removal or driveway repairs can move quickly, but complex, multi-area renovations, especially those requiring HOA approvals or custom hardscapes, will unfold over weeks or months. In short, Stratton excels when a homeowner needs a coordinated, high-scope outdoor transformation rather than a one-off small job.

Safety and cleanup standards sit at the core of Stratton’s value proposition, and that expectation should guide every decision. Multiple projects showcase careful tree removals and limb work performed with attention to surrounding plants and structures, along with thorough debris removal and site tidiness. On the ground, crews have shown they can protect adjacent landscaping and rebuild drainage paths without letting messes linger. Yet the safety-and-cleanup picture isn’t flawless: there are credible reports of fence damage, yard disruption, and instances where heavy equipment appeared to cause collateral issues. The prudent takeaway is to demand a robust safety plan and ground-protection protocol in writing, plus a clearly defined cleanup scope and a firm process for addressing any damage promptly. Insist on a pre-construction walkthrough to map fragile areas and designate stop-work triggers if safety concerns arise.

Quality of workmanship and the breadth of capabilities are Stratton’s core strengths, but they carry caveats that informed buyers should respect. On the plus side, the company frequently delivers dramatic, lasting improvements: stabilized creek banks, graded yards, new driveways, and attractive patios or stamped concrete where the design is solid and the materials well-executed. Clients repeatedly praise Sam Stratton and his team for listening, staying within budget, and transforming rough space into usable, appealing outdoors. The practical counterpoint is that some projects surface finish and material issues, color mismatches, uneven staining, or the use of leftover materials, that require follow-up work. There are also warnings about warranty patches on plantings or drainage systems that can be slow or incomplete. A discerning client will demand exact material specs, a detailed finish plan, and explicit warranty terms up front, with milestones tied to payments and a final walk-through to confirm completion.

Project management and communication prove to be a decisive differentiator, when it works, it works exceptionally well. Several reviewers highlight prompt responses, thorough design guidance, HOA coordination, and regular updates that keep the client in the loop from first consult to final inspection. The strongest testimonials describe Sam as an effective, hands-on project manager who keeps schedules, adapts to budget changes, and shepherds the project through difficult terrain with practical problem-solving. However, the flipside is nontrivial: a subset of clients report inconsistent communication, cancellations, or projects that drift far beyond promised timelines. For these buyers, Stratton can be a powerful partner, but the contract should harden communication channels, appoint a single point of contact, require weekly progress reports, and anchor all changes to written amendments and revised schedules.

For a typical Stratton project, the workflow often follows a clear arc: initial site assessment and design or refinement, a written plan with scope and finish details, phased execution (often starting with drainage and grading, then hardscape or planting), and a final cleanup and walk-through with sign-off. The company’s track record includes drainage fixes on slopes, driveway and gravel work, and multiple tree removals with careful pruning of surrounding landscape. The strongest caveat is that larger or more design-dependent jobs may expose gaps if the plan relies on turnkey design outsourced to third parties or if the scope morphs during construction. Clients should push for a detailed design package, explicit material and finish selections, and a documented sequence of activities with milestone dates and payment holds tied to completion criteria.

The bottom-line advice for property owners considering Stratton Landscaping is straightforward. For mid-to-large residential projects that require drainage correction, hillside stabilization, or integrated outdoor spaces (driveways, patios, fencing, and planting), Stratton is a capable, often excellent choice when a project manager-led approach is desired. The firm consistently earns praise for responsiveness, practical problem-solving, and the ability to deliver visually striking results that endure. The trade-off is the need for cautious contracting: licensing and insurance should be verified before work begins, a comprehensive warranty should be written into the contract, and a detailed schedule with fixed milestones and holdbacks should anchor expectations. In urgent or highly time-sensitive scenarios, weigh the risk of delays against the benefit of Stratton’s design-forward method and hands-on leadership; in that case, insist on rapid upfront planning and firm commitments to finish dates. When these guardrails are in place, Stratton Landscaping becomes a reliable partner capable of turning challenging Virginia landscapes into durable, beautiful outdoor spaces.

Tree Services

Large Trees

Experienced handling oversized trees - tall, wide, or heavily branched. Removing or trimming a large tree requires specialized skill and equipment, and these pros have both.

Large-tree work is a core strength, with multiple clients noting successful removal of two large trees without harming nearby decorative trees and shrubs. They regularly handle high-risk removals in challenging terrain, such as guiding the removal of a 60-foot pine that had fallen down an embankment during an ice storm, with a safe, professional crew and thorough cleanup. Customers also highlight dependable, communicative teams—Sam, Kevin, Jose, and others—who coordinate the work, provide updates, and leave a cleaned, hazard-free site. In the Richmond area around Midlothian, their tree work is frequently integrated with broader outdoor projects such as drainage improvements and hardscape installations, demonstrating versatility in managing large-tree needs alongside overall landscape renovations.

Works Near Structures

Skilled at working in tight spaces where trees sit close to homes, fences, garages, or power lines. Precision removal without damage to surrounding structures.

Near-structure work is a core capability for Stratton Landscaping in Midlothian, Virginia, where they design and build hardscape features directly adjacent to homes and other structures. Customer experiences regularly highlight patios with pergolas and retaining walls, stone and cobble borders, and stamped concrete patios that integrate with existing yards and driveways. Drainage and erosion control near foundations are a recurring focus, with projects including deep trenches for drainage, French drains, regrading, and riprap stabilizing creek banks to protect structures. Feedback patterns show strong collaboration, clear design input from the team, and proactive communication through the project, though experiences can vary with some reports of delays or communication gaps. Overall, they demonstrate the ability to deliver aesthetically pleasing, durable near-structure solutions that enhance outdoor spaces while addressing drainage, grading, and protection for property and hardscape elements in the Richmond area.

Tree Planting

Not just removal - these companies help you add trees too. Proper planting technique gives new trees the best chance at a long, healthy life.

Foundational tree plantings are a clear strength for Stratton Landscaping, with customers noting that they select trees from reputable nurseries and carefully plant them to anchor and shape the landscape. This planting is consistently integrated with broader yard projects, including drainage, grading, and hardscaping, to create lasting outdoor spaces rather than isolated additions. The team’s careful placement, attention to tree health, and willingness to follow up contribute to durable, aesthetically pleasing results in yards around Midlothian and the greater Richmond area. Across a variety of sites, clients highlight reliable communication, professional execution, and a focus on long-term landscape value when it comes to tree planting.