In the Green
Green Vista Landscaping Turns 40
Writer / Jon Shoulders
Photographer / Ron Wise
For 40 years, Green Vista Landscaping has provided Hamilton County and surrounding areas with landscaping, hardscaping, design and maintenance services. For the past 16 of those 40 years, the company has operated under the leadership of Jeff Eiler and T.J. Houghtalen, both of whom have decades of experience in the industry.
My father-in-law Kevin Stough – my husband Jeffs stepdad – began the company, says Sandy Eiler, office manager. It started out small, and then he sold it to us in 2005. Kevin basically worked at building the company until he was ready to move to a warmer climate in March of 2005, and thats when Jeff and T.J. purchased the company.
Jeff had worked at the company since 1987, beginning at age 17, and when the time came to buy out Stough and continue the company legacy of superior service, he and Houghtalen had both the knowledge and experience to do just that.
Jeff started out by mowing and doing different things at the nursery, and really got to know the ins and outs of the company, Eiler says. He really had an eye toward working at the company long-term, and in early 2005 when my father-in-law came to the guys about taking over, it was a perfect transition. It was a busy time transitioning, and kind of a whirlwind winter with down payments and stuff, but it was great.
Green Vista offers hardscaping and landscaping design, installations, a six-step fertilization process, mowing, and snow removal, among other services.
We can do other unique things like pond-less waterfalls, Eiler adds. We have stepped away from doing irrigation, however. We can maintain it or repair it, like if something broke during construction, since we have the education and can get the supplies, but we just dont install.
Green Vistas hardscaping services have been particularly popular according to Eiler.
It seems like people are keeping their homes longer now, especially with everything thats going on these days, and theyre entertaining at home even more since it can be safer and maybe a little bit cheaper, she says. I think because of that, people are more willing than ever to spend the money on their homes.
Green Vistas staff of 15 services Hamilton County as well as surrounding locations like Zionsville, Avon, Indianapolis and other areas. Potential customers can visit the official website and enter a description of the work desired, as well as contact information. A team member will then contact the individual to discuss a meeting time. After that, Green Vista will work up an estimate for the individual to review.
Eiler is thankful for Green Vistas staff of talented employees, and says seeking out and keeping quality employees for seasonal work has been challenging at times.
Last year when fall came and our college kids went off to school, we had five of them on the payroll so we lost five in one week, she says. Last year was the first year we had that many college-age workers, and they were hard workers. They didnt have a lot of the knowledge coming in, but they were willing to work and learn, and show up every morning.
Business has picked up recently according to Eiler, partly due to the pandemic, which has led to many individuals and families spending increased time at home tackling various residential projects.
Since a lot of people are working from home, a lot more people are liking to meet with Jeff and T.J., she says. Normally people would be at work and so we would drive by and measure, and then send them an estimate.
Eiler says 2021 looks to be a record year for the company.
Compared to last year with what we sold, we are way up on our numbers, Eiler says. Jeff said at a recent company meeting that were on track to have our best year ever, which is exciting. As long as Mother Nature cooperates and things are OK with the virus, it will be a great year for us.
Eiler says Green Vista values the local community and the customers theyve served through the past several decades.
We love Hamilton County, and T.J. is on the Noblesville Tree Board, she says. For three or four years we did the planting of the Noblesville Street Department trees. Everyone here in Noblesville and in the county has been so awesome ever since T.J. and Jeff bought the company 16 years ago, as two young owners.
Green Vista Landscaping is located at 23090 State Road 37 North in Noblesville. For more info including services, examples of featured work, testimonials and more, call 317-773-7911 or visit greenvistalandscaping.com.