Taurus Landscaping is an all-in-one landscaping company operating in the Atlanta Metro area. From pools to putting greens to design and installation, they are an essential resource for homeowners in our area. David Awtrey is the owner of Taurus Landscape. This month, we're sharing his story, experience, and insights from a widely successful business owner and community member's perspective.
When did you start Taurus Landscape, and what inspired you to launch it?
We started in 2008. My background is in landscaping—I worked from age 15 to 20 for a gentleman named Gary Salter around West Paces Ferry and Tuxedo Drive. I did weekends and summers during high school, then kept working for him after graduation.
Eventually, I entered the corporate world. I spent ten years at Frito-Lay, then moved into wholesale food sales. Within six years in that industry, I went through nine buyouts. That’s when I realized I was done with corporate life.
I worked one summer at Little River Grill, and during that time, I decided to start a landscaping company. My initial goal was modest: one truck, a couple of guys, and to focus on basic lawn care—mowing, edging, blowing, mulch, flowers.
I started Taurus Landscape in November of 2008. My wife and I had a $400 Honda lawnmower from Home Depot—she mowed while I did everything else. We didn’t even have a truck; I was hauling a trailer behind a Hyundai Sonata. Then in March 2009, we got our first install job. The client gave me a $10,000 deposit on a $20,000 project. I used $5,000 of that to put down on a Toyota Tundra. That’s really when Taurus Landscape began.
My first hire was Ronnie Hernandez—he’s still with me today.
How large is your team now?
Right now, we have 32 employees and operate about 13 trucks daily.
What’s the most fulfilling part of the work for you?
Happy customers. When people are genuinely thrilled with what we’ve done—and even years later, they remember us—that’s the best feeling. We’ve built an extensive customer base, and it’s all been through word of mouth.
You seem to do a lot more than standard lawn care.
Yes, over the years we’ve learned that if you subcontract work, you’re still ultimately responsible for it. So we’ve become self-sufficient. We handle our own landscape lighting, irrigation, hardscapes, artificial turf, and design/install work. We even have two full-time designers. We do complete yard demolitions and rebuilds.
One of the properties we designed seven years ago was totally overgrown—just trees. You couldn’t even see the house from the road. Now it’s a fully landscaped showpiece.
Are you still learning new skills?
Absolutely. We recently completed a challenging job on Blackwell Road where a driveway had collapsed. It was a $60,000 project with demolition work in a creek, which is no small task. We installed large headwalls—much bigger than anything I’d done before. We used a 60-inch opening with a 48-inch pipe, stabilized the creek bank, and more. It was essentially a commercial-grade job at a residence.
I’m certified in stormwater management in Georgia—I hold a Level 1 “Blue Card”—so I’m trained in erosion control and legal compliance when working near waters and creeks.
What’s the importance of staying up to date with those certifications?
You need to understand EPA and EPD regulations. There are setbacks from creeks, laws around stream buffers, and environmental protections. Doing it right matters, especially when designing landscapes around natural geography.
What do you wish more people understood about landscaping?
I’d say it’s better to work with someone who is truly educated in the industry. It’s easy to get poor advice or bad installs if you don’t know the difference.
Check Google reviews, ask about qualifications, and meet in person. I often have to correct misinformation clients received from others.
Are there any past projects you’re particularly proud of?
Honestly, all of them. We do quality work across the board. I’d showcase any of them in a portfolio.
We don’t even have a social media presence. If we did, and had someone to document what we’re doing daily, I think it would make a huge impact. But for now, we just stay focused on doing great work.
Note: These photos show the ground breaking and completion of a Taurus Landscape project.
Go to their website to talk to David and his team about your next project.
Website: tauruslandscape.com
Phone: 770-324-4985
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm, closed on weekends