Design-first process — 2021 clients saw 3D plans before ground broke
Pool surrounds — stamped concrete decks are the recurring 2021 job
What does landscaping cost in Greater Boston?
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Dex by Terra. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Callbacks honoured — settled paving and dead plants replaced, per 2021 review
Single-contractor scope — decking, kitchen, patio and planting done together
Active MA registration — home improvement contractor registration verified in the registry
A+ BBB grade — accredited since 2011 as a concrete contractor
Project management — a 2025 deck and patio client cited poor coordination
Schedule slippage — that 2025 job ran far past its promised timeline
Communication — the same 2025 reviewer called communication horrible
Dated praise — nearly all favourable accounts are from 2020 and 2021
Cautionary BBB review — a reviewer advises proceeding with caution
No free estimates — HomeAdvisor lists estimates and warranties as not offered
Dex by Terra is the Hudson outfit people call when the backyard project is big enough to need a drawing first. Pool decks, stamped-concrete patios, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, water features — the company describes itself as a landscape and hardscape design-build firm working across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and southern New Hampshire, and the work that shows up in customer accounts is exactly that scale.
Its Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration is active, held in the company's own name. The Better Business Bureau rates it A+ and lists it as accredited, with a business start date of 1980 and Edward Terra as owner.
The praise is deep but dated. On Houzz the profile averages 4.6 stars over 27 ratings, and the write-ups quoted there run almost entirely through 2020 and 2021: a homeowner in November 2021 described choosing the company to finish a new in-ground pool with a stamped concrete patio and getting a 3D design concept before ground broke, plus coordination with the pool company so the finished deck matched the drawing. Another, in June 2021, spent 2% of a pool budget on design alone and called it the thing that saved the project. A February 2021 client built an "outdoor room" — pool decking, outdoor kitchen, patio, landing, planting — and said the design software let them change the layout live during meetings. A January 2021 review is the most useful of the lot: it covers callbacks, noting areas that settled improperly over the winter were corrected the following spring, and three of a hundred plants replaced inside the one-year guarantee.
The most recent written account is the sour one. In October 2025 a Houzz reviewer who had a deck and patio built gave one star and described a badly managed job — long delays, poor communication, and the warning not to be swayed by the design presentation. A BBB reviewer writes in the same register, saying one star is generous and to proceed with caution, and an undated comment carried on Birdeye calls the quality sub par for a high price. Those complaints are about coordination and finish, not about a company that vanished — but they are the newest voices on file, and they pull against a glowing 2021 history.
So: a credible choice for a designed outdoor build, particularly pool surrounds and hardscape, where the drawing-first process is the thing customers kept crediting. Before signing, pin down the schedule and who your day-to-day contact is — that is precisely where the 2025 complaint landed. HomeAdvisor's listing also states the company does not offer free estimates or warranties, which is worth confirming directly against whatever the contract says.
Heard around town
News & the web
Dex By Terra - 97 Reviews - Home Services in Hudson, MA - Birdeye
“Bar far the most horrible experience on a home project I have ever been a part of. We were told how meticulous this company was and how high quality their work was. The quality of work is sub par at best, especially for the price tag which was very high.”
We had a deck and patio built by them and it was the worst experience we've ever had. We would never work with this company again. It was so terribly managed, horrible communication and extremely stressful. The project took so much longer than it was supposed to. Don't be fooled by their social media and website or by the nice design they present you. The stress is NOT worth it.
This summer was the very FIRST for our brand new in-ground swimming pool and I was so happy that I chose Dex by Terra to finish the pool area with a stamped concrete patio that looks absolutely amazing! I couldn't be happier with my choice of using them as the pool deck contractor. It was an overall great experience. They were able to provide us with a great 3D design concept, this gave us the opportunity to really understand the look & feel of our pool area, before we even broke ground. They worked very well with the pool company (McCarthy Pools) to coordinate and time out the project and share concerns, so that the end product matched the original design. We never felt shortchanged or neglected with the entire design or construction process and I felt that we were always in very hands on throughout the project. Dex by Terra kept an open dialog with us during the entire process until the work was complete and they were sure that we were absolutley 100% pleased with the finished project. Dex by Terra respected our budget and we were very happy that they were able to make recommendations to us that allowed us to get the look that we wanted at the price we needed. This work ethic and customer service also carries through to their foreman and crew -- everyone was pleasant and paid careful attention to detail. The finished product is of a very high quality and we are consistently complemented on the design. I would highly recommend Dex By Terra for any of your patio needs
I am not the type who usually leave a review, but the transformation of my back yard deserves the recognition of its visionary personal. I did not know the company when I first had an idea to have something done in the back yard. They were highly recommended to me and they did not disappoint. Ed Terra reached out to me after I contacted them, words cannot describe how down to earth he is, how professional and understanding he is, how he envisions the yard and gives ideas before he even draws it, how reachable he is even though they are extremely busy with tons of other projects all over, how good listener he is. With Covid, the project took a little longer but it was all worth it. I have never spent time in my yard in the past 5 years as much as I spent in the past 4 month. The transformation of the back yard was unreal, out of a magazine. Everyone sees it they call it a little resort; that I don't have to go on vacation anymore, I brought the vacation destination to my back yard. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Dex By Terra Company and especially to Ed Terra
I am not the type who usually leave a review, but the transformation of my back yard deserves the recognition of its visionary personal. I did not know the company when I first had an idea to have something done in the back yard. They were highly recommended to me and they did not disappoint. Ed Terra reached out to me after I contacted them, words can not describe how down to earth he is, how professional and understanding he is, how he envisions the yard and gives you ideas before he even draws it, how reachable he is even though they are extremely busy with tons of projects all over, how good listener he is. With Covid, the project took a little longer but it was all worth it. I have never spent time in my yard in the past 5 years as much as I spent in the past 4 month. the transformation of the back yard was unreal, out of magazine. everyone sees it they call it a little resort; that I don't have to go on vacation anymore, I brought the vacation destination to my back yard. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Dex By Terra Company and specially to Ed Terra.
It began with a vision, then it’s the undertaking of trusting someone to deliver and make it a reality. A project of this scope needs someone that can not only deliver but share the vision we have, make suggestions and/or changes at a moment notice, have patience, be there when you cannot, to be respectful and communicative and be there for the duration of the project. We received all of that and more, our project manager, and so many others, who oversaw and worked on the entire project exceeded our expectations at every level, the tile and stonework, the overall craftmanship and level of detail is exceptional we could not be more pleased with the outcome. We thank you for making this a reality!