Today we’d like to introduce you to David Dykstra.
Hi David, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our Story
In the beginning, we were “The Lawn Rangers.” Just a couple of kids walking door to door in
Ponderosa, asking if people needed their lawn mowed or weeds pulled. Since our start in 2018, our
business has become almost unrecognizable as we now run multiple crews and have more
equipment than we ever dreamed of. Most of our growth has come through word of mouth. I
write that with pride as it is a direct reflection of the quality of our work and customer service.
We wear the slogan “American Made” with the verse “Proverbs 10:9”. Founded on hard work
and Christian values, we are honest, consistent, and dedicated to doing the best work in town.
One of our proudest projects was our first fire pit—a large patio carved into a hillside
overlooking Lake CDA. After countless hours, guidance from mentors, and a few hard-earned do-overs, we delivered an incredible final product… and no profit. The customer left us a small tip, nowhere near enough to cover the gap, but it became the most meaningful money we’ve ever made. A priceless lesson about business: Value quality and customer service above all else. A job well done always comes first for us, even if it means multiple revisions or less profit.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the hardest lessons we have learned while building Skyline Landscaping is that the people on your team shape the reputation of your company.
In the beginning, we thought growth meant saying yes to more work and bringing on more help whenever we needed it. As the jobs got bigger and the expectations got higher, we realized that hiring is not just about finding someone who can show up and do the work. It is about finding people who care about the details, respect the customer’s property, communicate well, and take pride in the finished product.
There were times when we brought people onto the team and hoped they would grow into the standard we wanted. We gave chances, had conversations, corrected mistakes, and tried to lead them in the right direction. But eventually, we learned that keeping the wrong person on the team can hurt more than just one job. It can affect morale, slow down the crew, create mistakes, frustrate customers, and damage the reputation we are working so hard to build.
Firing someone is never easy. But sometimes it is necessary.
We have learned that protecting the company means protecting the standard. If someone does not care about the quality of the work, the customer experience, or the team around them, then keeping them in place is not fair to anyone. It is not fair to the customer. It is not fair to the crew. And it is not fair to the future of the business.
As Skyline grows, we are learning to be more intentional about who we hire, how we train, and what we expect from our team. We want people who do more than just complete tasks. We want people who take ownership, solve problems, and care about leaving behind work they can be proud of.
At the end of the day, our name is attached to every project we finish. Every patio, wall, planting bed, irrigation system, and cleanup tells people something about who we are as a company.
Hiring good talent and making hard decisions when someone is not the right fit are two of the most important parts of building a strong business. It protects our reputation, strengthens our team, and helps us create the kind of work we are proud to stand behind.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What sets Skyline apart is our ability to see the vision before the project ever starts.
To us, landscaping is not just about installing sod, building walls, placing rock, or putting plants in the ground. Those things matter, and they need to be done right, but the design is only as strong as the vision behind it. The build is simply the process of bringing that vision to life.
What we really bring to the table is inspiration, creativity, and the ability to see potential in a space that others overlook. We help people imagine what their property could become, and then we create a plan to make that possible.
As far as the work itself, Skyline has taken on a wide range of landscaping projects, but our passion and experience really shine in hardscaping and installations. We specialize in retaining walls, Water features, grading, sod installation, plants, Lighting, and full landscape transformations.
Our team of 8-10 guys is experienced, reliable, and professional. We know how to work hard, communicate clearly, and deliver quality work.
What I am most proud of is that Skyline is not just building landscapes. We are helping people see what is possible. We take a yard, a property, or an outdoor space and help turn it into something with purpose, beauty, and long-term value.
At the center of everything we do is vision. Vision comes first. The design follows. The build brings it to life.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to us is harnessing God’s creation so every project we touch reflects the creativity, beauty, and purpose already found in nature. Our work is about more than landscaping—it is about helping people experience the natural beauty God designed, right in their own yard. We believe every outdoor space has potential, and our job is to reveal that potential through vision, craftsmanship, and care. For us, landscaping is not just about building walls, laying sod, or installing plants. It is about creating spaces that feel beautiful, purposeful, and connected to the natural world God designed.
Pricing:
- Designs: $1500 – $4500
- Custom Water Features: $8,000-$45,000
- Outdoor Firepits: $3,000-$20,000
- Outdoor Kitchens: $25,000-$120,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skylinelandscapingllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylinelandscapingpnw/
