New Image Landscape Services celebrates 30 years
BY LAURIE GORDON
STILLWATER — New Image Landscape Services is celebrating 30 years in business.
“Being in business for the last 30 years is something that we are very proud of,” said owner Dave Manser, “So many companies come and go; I always believe it’s because not only do you have to have a passion for landscaping, but you also have to be passionate and smart with your business."
The company has two divisions, landscaping installation/construction as well as lawn maintenance. "This allows us to be diverse in all aspects of landscaping,” Manser said.
Manser moved from Rutherford to Fredon in the sixth grade. After graduating from Kittatinny Regional Highs School, he attended Cobelskill College along with Morris County College studying Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Development. It was during this time that he formed New Image Landscape Services in 1986. His wife, Hillary, was born and raised in Andover, and the couple moved to Stillwater shortly after they were married in 1992.
“I mainly started out doing lawncare because it was easier to do during my studies,” Manser said, “As the business grew, it evolved into the landscape design and construction that it is today. I have added in pesticide and fertilization work as I hold my NJDEP pesticide license, as well as my brothers, which is a requirement in the State of New Jersey.” Manser added, “Not all landscapers have that licensing. We are also a licensed New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor which is also a requirement by the State in order to perform any kind of landscape construction work. We are fully insured.”
Manser believes that one strong reason for the longevity of the business is quality. “In recent years, with the economy being the way it is, we have been frustrated with other companies that come in and either underbid our work or are coming into areas that they would not have otherwise been working,” he said. “The old adage: 'you get what you pay for' is true. We pride ourselves on our quality workmanship and, as our customers will attest, our work is second to none.”
Manser added, “Many of our customers have been with us since the businesses inception. From commercial accounts to residential accounts, the likelihood of repeat business is high as customers will always find new projects around their property and want work performed in 'phases.'”
Certainly, licensing, insurance and attention to detail set New Image Landscape Services apart from others, and in addition, “Unlike other landscaping companies, I am present on every job. If you have a question, I am able to answer you; if you need to speak to me, I am available always,” Manser said.
New Image's landscaping and design with installation services include: creative plantings, retaining walls (natural, stone, interlocking block and railroad ties), sod and seed lawns, patios and walkways (bluestone, natural stone and paving stone) and mulch delivered and installed. Lawn care includes: spring and fall cleanups, insect disease and weed control programs, fertilization, lawn renovations, pruning and mowing. With the onset of winter, New Image can also be counted on for thorough snow plowing, salting and sanding. “We also specialize in outdoor living areas, water features, fire pits, patios, arbors and built in barbecue grills.”
Manser said the keys to being in business for 30 years have been, “Experience, quality workmanship, employees with years of experience and attention to detail. Many years ago, we used to concentrate a lot of effort on advertising. The majority of our customers have come to us via word of mouth. That speaks volumes about our reputation.”
Customer Donna Maria Vix said, “New Image Landscaping has been helping us with our lawn for about six years now. They are extremely reliable and do a fantastic job. We've had other people help us in the past and when they were done, we'd need to go out and clean up grass clippings left all over — even on our porch. We have a very large area that needs to be mowed and they always make it look manicured and unique by cutting in different patterns like what you see on professional baseball fields. Not only does this look nice, but I think it helps the grass to grow better.”
The business is also a family affair, with Manser's brothers, Darren and Dennis, working for New Image. “Darren takes charge of the lawn maintenance division and Dennis works alongside me in the installation/construction aspect of the business,” Manser said. Along with the family members, he employs approximately three to five additional employees depending on the season.
As for his wife, Hillary, who works for the Sussex County Sheriff's Office, she said, “While I am considered an 'owner,' I like to think of myself as being 'married to the owner' as he is the one who shoulders the load of the work, from being out on the job from sunrise to sunset to returning customer calls, estimates and doing the administrative work.” She added, “While I was home raising our two children, I was able to do some of the office work but now that I’m working full time, Dave is 100 percent in the business."
New Image Landscape Services prides itself on being very community involved, and Dave Manser is a member of the Branchville Businessmen, the College of Knowledge (a philanthropic group based in Fredon) and is a Participant in the NJ State Fair and Springfest. He and his wife are also immersed in the Stillwater town and school communities. Their son, Daniel, 10, works with his father every summer and on weekends with landscaping is “in season.”
The Mansers said, “Not only does he carry the load of a full grown adult, he enjoys going into work. When school is on a break, Daniel is not interested in staying home watching television or playing video games. He puts on his New Image Landscape Services shirt, work boots, Carhartt shorts and goes to work.”
Hillary added, “Daniel's happy place is on the job with his dad. The tips he gets from our customers as well as a free lunch at Mengos or the Fredon Deli are incentives as well.”
Both Daniel and the Manser's daughter, Christine, 15, help out during the New Jersey State Fair at the booth New Image has.
“We are also proud of our charitable work that we have performed in the County specifically the planting, hardscape and installation at the SCCC 911 Memorial where we worked alongside other landscapers in the County to create a beautiful area surrounding the memorial,” Manser said, “This is something that we maintain annually as well.”