Lakeshore Guys^®’ Professionalism: What You Can Expect

Long before our customers (and their friends and neighbors) see first-hand the quality of our work and exactly what sets it apart, they notice our professionalism.  It’s one of many qualities that has helped us create the toughest and best shorelines this side of the Milky Way.  It’s also what has made us America’s most-trusted shoreline-restoration company.

“Professional” is a good way to sum up Lakeshore Guys^®, but there’s no one thing that makes us professionals: Rather, many qualities and practices come together to form the rare professionalism you can expect of us.

On the way to your perfect shoreline, here are some things you’ll notice when working with Lakeshore Guys^®, roughly in order of when you’ll notice them:

We’ll never pressure you to choose us.  We figure you know full well what your alternatives are.

“When we bought our lake home, the shoreline had been lined with sand bags, giant boulders and a wide variety of riprap…all of which had been covered in poured concrete with a stub wall and walk way at the top. I noticed the walk way had started to tilt toward the house leaving a valley to collect water which was beginning to wash out the soil beneath the walk. And the large rocks were beginning to fall out of the concrete pour on the lake side. It looked like a recipe for disaster if something wasn’t done.

“I called a few shoreline ‘repair’ companies. Some didn’t return my call; others just wanted to dump more red granite over the side. Red granite is a popular solution in my area it seems. I decided to keep looking and found the Lakeshore Guys^®. I liked what I saw about their company on the internet and the reviews were great, but I was afraid they might not want to travel 4+ hours to fix our shoreline problem. I decided to contact Joe anyway and boy am I ever glad I did….The RESULT: Our new shoreline looks fantastic! It was built to the highest standards both structurally and aesthetically. And, it’s become the talk of neighborhood. I could go on and on about the these guys. They are true craftsman. If you are considering shoreline work, make the Lakeshore Guys^® your first call. You won’t regret it.”

– Ron Butterfield (see full review)

“Your attention to detail and your determination to ‘do it once, do it right’ turned our lake shore project into one of the most successful projects we have ever undertaken. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a picture of your entire team next to the word “craftsmanship” in the dictionary.”

– Darrell Adkins
(see full review)

“I have a home in Eastern Tennessee on the French Broad River. I hired a local landscaping firm to install Rip-Rap along a 200 foot riverbank. They had done a patio for me and that installation had gone well, so I contracted with them for the project. I became concerned that they were not using the proper fabric and installation techniques. I tried reaching out to various RipRap construction companies in my area to determine if my concerns were valid. When I received no callbacks, in desperation, I reached out on-line to the Lake Shore Guys. A few hours later I was contacted by Joe Palumbo, the owner of The Lakeshore Guys. Imagine my great surprise! Joe contacted me even though he was on vacation with his wife! I sent Joe pictures and he confirmed my fears, but more importantly gave me sage advice on how to work with my existing contractor to make the necessary changes with my project. He was the Ultimate Professional. He did not trash my contractor, but encouraged me to have faith that my contractor wanted to give me best possible outcome. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with Joe. He treated me as a friend, and when I offered to pay him for his consultation, he refused. You will NEVER find better people to work with than Joe Palumbo and The LakeShore Guys!”

-Tom Pangborn, Kodak TN (see full review)

Our communication is on-the-mark from beginning to end. We’ve got a full dance card and will probably need to complete several other perfect shorelines before we can get to yours.  But when we begin, we begin.  Expect updates at every step, often from Head Lakeshore Guy Joe Palumbo. At the end of a day we’ll tell you (and show you, if possible) exactly what we did, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s next.  If you make yourself available, you’ll never wonder where your shoreline stands.

“After meeting with Joe, I knew this company was for me. Their motto of ‘doing it right’ really was important to my shoreline project. At our meeting he took pictures of the shoreline and described in detail how he would mitigate the erosion and improve the esthetics at the same time. He listened to my anxiety about one aspect of the work and when the crew showed up he and the foreman had already developed an alternate access strategy that worked perfectly. The whole crew clearly took pride in their work and they were unfailingly courteous, friendly and professional. They always asked me if there was anything I thought needed to be corrected. Joe presented a detailed proposal, showed up when he said he would and finished the work as promised! What more could I wish for.”

– James Santelli (see review on Google Maps)

We’re experienced shoreline guys who love our work. We’ve restored shorelines for more than 20 years.  That’s our specialty. Creating shorelines that last is hard work.  Our careers would have washed out like a landscaper-built shoreline many years ago if we didn’t enjoy the work.

“Over the course of 4-5 days, we enjoyed speaking with the employees of the company. Their camaraderie and professional (yet candid) nature showed they truly love their work and they want the best for their customers. Also, their passion for their craft was clear from the beginning. They took great care in making sure they provided the best shoreline possible and they answered all of our questions. Every step in their process to build a perfect shoreline was methodical.”

– Shawn Johnson (see full review)

We’re courteous and have empathy.  If you come up to us while we’re working and ask a question, we won’t act (and indeed won’t be) annoyed or act like we’re doing you a big favor. We don’t park our trucks in your way or in your neighbors’ way. We don’t even intrude on your dog’s turf (except perhaps to hand out treats or give him or her a little scratch). We may not look like sensitive guys, but we are.

“We selected Joe and his team because of their experience in controlling erosion on lakeshore property. They did not disappoint! Their staff was professional and courteous and took the time to explain what the process that encompassed our project. They also clean up each night when they left so that you hardly knew they were there. I am sure our neighbors appreciated this as much as we did. Recommend these guys highly!”

– Bill Sullivan (see full review)

We work on only one shoreline at a time.  Yes, that means you’ll be on a bit of a waitlist.  But it also means the project won’t drag on, because once we start, we’re on-site every day until your project is complete and perfect.  Eliminating distractions is one thing that allows us to do your job once and do it right.

“Joe came right away examined the damage, measured and took photos and we had a quote the next day. The quote was considerably higher than the others I’d received, but it outlined a plan to actually RESTORE our shoreline. We accepted.

“The following week, Joe and his crew showed up with an armada of equipment and materials. In three days, they removed all the rubble, built up the shore with sand, raised our lawn with dirt fill, applied a high-quality fabric, and laid down 30 tons of fieldstone with meticulous care. They even raked and seeded the dirt fill and covered it with straw to prevent washout. The job wasn’t finished until they cleaned, raked and broomed until everything was in tip-top shape. We had absolutely no mess to clean up after.

“I must also say that the guys in the crew were very courteous, considerate, attentive to detail and very hard-working, We enjoyed having them around.

“I’ve learned that quality is not cheap and cheap is not quality – but if you do it right, you won’t have to do it over. I highly recommend the ‘Lakeshore Guys^®’ Thanks Joe, Gary, Ron and the two Mikes.”

– John Muellerleile (see full review)

We work long hours.  We’ll probably greet you when you leave for work, and we’ll greet you when you return.  And, unlike with landscapers, who may still be on your property only because they took a 3-hour lunch break, you’ll know we were working because you’ll see the progress we made on your shoreline during that time.

“Last winter our shoreline experienced significant ice heaving and we enlisted Joe and his ‘LakeshoreGuys’ to rebuild it. He advertises his guys as the hardest working, meticulous lakeshore guys out there and we were not disappointed. From the moment his team of Ron, Gary, Mike and others arrived until they left each day, sometimes late into the evening, they made it clear they wanted to make sure we were completely satisfied with the results.”

– Mark Pletscher (see full review and photos)

Your yard won’t take a beating.  Landscapers have one way to get stone to a shoreline: they load the tonnage into a truck, drive the truck over your grass, and dump it.  Or they’ll use a Bobcat with tires or treads that will chew your yard into cud.  Lakeshore Guys^®, on the other hand, can choose from 5 different ways to transport our materials to the site of your soon-to-be perfect shoreline – with little or no damage to your yard.

“The guys were all very friendly, professional and courteous. Not only did they do beautiful work on our shoreline, but they took great care to minimize the damage to our yard from the heavy machinery. They laid down several plywood sheets to protect the ground and grass, they brought a pump that pumped lake water up to water the grass at the end of the day and they used a blower each night to fluff up the grass. They were also very tidy at the end of each day setting all of their equipment and supplies neatly in the driveway and the side of the yard- never left a mess over night!”

– Heidi Lohn (see full review)

Your bathroom won’t take a beating (and neither will your trees or bushes).  We bring our own porta-potty to most job-sites, and we have a cleaning company that comes out to service it.  For you it’s the best of both worlds: we don’t waste time “on the clock” on latrine duty, but your property stays sanitary.

“Some things worth pointing out that stood out for me are:

• customer 1st
• very clear on work to be done and checking during during project with updates on any changes
• great well rounded employees who respect your property
• won’t cut corners just to make an extra buck
• Joe knows how to communicate with you without being pushy
• they don’t come at 5 am just to be off early, the guys show at a modest 8 but stay until 7-8 to get the most work done in a day.
• at the end of each day they don’t leave tools thrown all over the yard, everything is neatly organized for the next work day.
• brought their own portable bathroom so you won’t catch the guys watering your plants
• the sea steps are a thing of beauty”

-Nick Abernathy (see full review)

Your property – our job site – will be clean.  It will be clean at the end of every day, and at the end of our project.  You can sit down for a picnic (with or without a blanket).  You take pride in keeping your property tidy, and so will we.

“Joe delivered everything as promised and very NEATLY. It was amazing how well they cleaned everything up each night; even after working one full day in the rain. They took the time to do the job right from cleaning up the waterfront and laying each of the rocks by hand, to laying the sod down and being careful not to destroy my irrigation. The end product looked almost exactly like the picture Joe shared before they got started.”

– Ryan Yost (see full review)

We’re courteous to your neighbors.  We don’t block their cars.  We don’t sit in our trucks and crank up the music until your neighbors think a Guns N’ Roses is concert next door.  We’ll even knock on their doors to give them a heads-up, and to see if they’ve got any dos and don’ts in addition to yours.  We feel responsible for keeping the peace with your neighbors.

“Joe and the Crew from Lakeshore Guys were fantastic. From the initial consult to the completion of the project the team at Lakeshore Guys exceeded my expectations at every phase of the process. After the project was complete my neighbors couldn’t stop talking about how friendly and courteous the Lakeshore Guys were during the week they were there.

-Evan Wilmer (see full review)

You’ll probably want hang out with us and get to know us, not lock the doors and close the curtains.  We’ve been told we’re “Minnesota friendly” (to a fault).  You and Lakeshore Guys^® share a love of shorelines and the outdoors.  We are uniformed, clean-cut, friendly, and we all have a story to share if you’re interested in chatting.  You may even feel like you already know us – and not from a “Wanted” poster.

“They knew it was important to us to have it done by the 4th of July. They worked magic with their schedule and worked 15 hours days to make it so….Their professionalism was unmatched. Literally, neighbors from all directions came to let us know they have never seen such a hardworking, kind and professional crew. When we got here and saw the work we nearly cried. This is not a small investment but it has increased our enjoyment of our property so much and was worth every penny. It was such a great experience overall I am ready to become President of the Lakeshore Guys fan club!”

-Bonnie Gross (see full review)

We don’t get paid until we’re 100% done and you’re 100% happy. Making a large down payment on shoreline work is an awful idea for many reasons, one of which is it fights human nature.  Once people get paid, they relax a little.  That’s why we at Lakeshore Guys^® keep our human nature a little bit in-check.  We’re people, too, but we’d rather relax after your shoreline has exceeded your expectations.

“…This is a company that actually does what they say they are going to do! Very refreshing experience. Very competent and friendly workers, great communication start to finish, fantastic work, and they were not happy – until we were happy.”

– Jim Thoren (see full review)

You may miss us a little bit when we’re done.

“We were totally impressed from the minute they came on site until they neatly packed up and left 2 weeks later….They are very professional and dedicated to their work. They are very nice people who we enjoyed having around the house. Hats off to the Lakeshore Guys^®!”

-Susan Ault (see full review)

What kind of shoreline have YOU always wanted?
Contact Lakeshore Guys^® today to make it happen.

(Please read our clear and commonsense disclaimer.)