Verified record
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from ZEN Associates, Inc.. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$50 – $70
Typical landscaping service around $60
ZEN Associates is a Woburn landscape architecture and design-build firm that's been shaping high-end outdoor spaces since 1980, with a specialty in Japanese-influenced design and offices in both Boston and the Washington, D.C. area. Architects, builders, and a pool company who've worked alongside the firm over the years describe a team with strong design skills and a track record of turning ambitious concepts — like a Japanese tea house and garden inspired by a trip to Kyoto, described in a 2014 review — into finished projects. Permit records back that up with real scale: a $440,000 pool and stone-wall project in Chestnut Hill (2015), a $249,891 Brookline pool and retaining wall (2022), and a $170,000 gunite pool and spa in Westwood (2021) are among the completed jobs on file. Direct client accounts tell a more mixed story than the trade-partner praise. In a 2016 review, a client who hired the firm only for design services said timelines were consistently missed and the company charged twice the agreed price for sketches. More seriously, a December 2025 review said the client waited more than a year without any work starting on a paid contract, called the fees exorbitant, and ultimately needed legal help to get a partial refund back. The company holds a Massachusetts home improvement contractor license, #152958, that BuildZoom shows as verified active, and carries a Better Business Bureau A+ rating (it is not BBB-accredited). Given the design pedigree and the completed high-end projects on permit record, ZEN can clearly deliver — but the two client complaints, one recent and serious, are worth taking seriously. Get a firm written timeline and a capped design-fee agreement in writing before paying anything upfront.
Horrible. No work done despite promising things getting started quickly (over a year of waiting) and over charge for things that should be standard. Had to back out of our contract because prices were exorbitant and the fees kept piling on. We gave an initial payment for initial work/designs and then subsequently a deposit for materials and to start work. Because of their stagnation, we asked for a partial refund back two months later (prior to any work being done or items being ordered) because they made no movement on ordering anything or even putting in applications. It took us months and a lawyer to get any of our money back (and of course not all of it was returned). The owner (Peter) seemed like this wasn't his first rodeo to have this happen and clearly knows how to make his contracts difficult to break out of.
We have worked with the talented ZEN Associates team on several residential projects and their design capabilities, commitment to the client, and overall management of projects is unmatched. They communicate effectively and deliver outstanding high-end results. We look forward to working them again and know our discerning clients will be very well-served!
Great company.
We have worked on a number of residential projects over the last few years with Zen and are constantly blown away by their incredible designs. They consistently create outdoor spaces that provide the homeowner with a place to entertain, relax, enjoy family and take in the natural surroundings on their property. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a professional and highly qualified landscape architect firm.
We've worked with ZEN Associates on numerous projects across New England. Their vision and ability to expand upon customer's desires has made it possible for us to easily build unique and beautiful pools for their customers. Their staff has high end design skills with prompt attention to detail and honesty.
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1 change recorded — last scanned Aug 2, 2026.