Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Irrigation & Landscape Construction Services in Virginia Beach
Gentle Rain is a family-owned and operated irrigation and landscape construction firm serving Hampton Roads since 1966. As the first full-time irrigation company in Southeastern Virginia, we have built a reputation for high-quality workmanship, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service. Our team offers custom design and installation of hardscapes, water features, landscape lighting, and drainage solutions, combining decades of experience with innovative techniques. We prioritize loyalty to clients, employees, and suppliers, ensuring long-term relationships and reliable service. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our use of professional-grade materials and adherence to industry best practices.With over 50 years of experience, we provide personalized solutions that enhance residential and commercial properties. Our skilled technicians and designers work closely with clients to create functional, aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces. We stand behind our work with comprehensive warranties and ongoing maintenance support. Our dedication to sustainable practices and customer satisfaction has made us a trusted leader in the region. From initial consultation to final installation, we strive to exceed expectations through creativity and precision.
Services
Irrigation Systems
Hardscapes
Water Features
Landscape Lighting
Drainage Solutions
Details
- Year established: 1966
Highlights and features
- We offer over 50 years of experience in irrigation and landscape construction.
- Our family-owned business prioritizes personalized service and client relationships.
- We use professional-grade materials from trusted manufacturers like Hunter and Toro.
- Our skilled team includes certified designers and technicians with decades of expertise.
- We provide comprehensive warranties and ongoing maintenance support for all services.
What people say
Exceptional craftsmanship
Timely service
Knowledgeable staff
Creative designs
Durable installations
Services
Irrigation Systems
Gentle Rain designs and installs residential and commercial irrigation systems using professional-grade components from Hunter, Rainbird, and Toro. Our systems optimize water efficiency with smart controllers and rain sensors. We provide spring start-ups, winterization, and backflow testing to ensure year-round functionality. Our technicians prioritize proper zoning and coverage for healthy landscapes.
Hardscapes
We create durable patios, walkways, driveways, and retaining walls using interlocking pavers and natural stone. Our designs enhance curb appeal while improving property functionality. Services include outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and pool decks with slip-resistant surfaces. We use materials from Unilock and EP Henry for long-lasting results.
Water Features
Custom water features include ponds, waterfalls, streams, and pondless designs. We incorporate aquatic plants and fish-friendly ecosystems while ensuring proper filtration. Maintenance services cover seasonal cleanings, algae treatment, and pump repairs. Aquascape-certified technicians guarantee balanced, low-maintenance installations.
Landscape Lighting
Low-voltage lighting systems highlight architectural details, trees, and pathways for safety and ambiance. We use energy-efficient fixtures for uplighting, moonlighting, and silhouette effects. Services include transformer upgrades, bulb replacements, and seasonal adjustments to maintain optimal performance.
People
Bill French
President
Bill French has led Gentle Rain since 1982, fostering a family-oriented culture and client-focused approach. With decades of industry experience, he ensures high-quality installations and customer satisfaction.
Ben Hancock
Vice President
Ben Hancock brings 15+ years of irrigation expertise to Gentle Rain, specializing in commercial system design. A second-generation contractor, he prioritizes innovative solutions and technical excellence for complex projects.
Meg French
Principal Landscape Designer
Meg French, a certified designer with 30+ years of experience, creates visually striking landscapes. Her expertise in horticulture ensures functional, aesthetically balanced outdoor spaces tailored to client needs.
Zeke Robinson
Hardscape Manager
Zeke Robinson oversees hardscape projects with 15 years of regional experience. His focus on precision and creativity transforms outdoor areas into durable, elegant living spaces using premium materials.
Questions
What services does Gentle Rain offer?
We specialize in irrigation systems, hardscapes, water features, landscape lighting, and drainage solutions for residential and commercial properties.
How long has Gentle Rain been in business?
Gentle Rain has served Hampton Roads since 1966, making us the region's oldest irrigation contractor.
Do you provide maintenance for irrigation systems?
Yes, we offer spring start-ups, winterization, backflow testing, and repairs for residential and commercial irrigation systems.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Newport News.
Are your installations covered by warranties?
Yes, we provide comprehensive warranties on parts, labor, and materials for all our services.
Can you redesign existing landscapes?
Yes, our team assesses current systems and recommends enhancements to improve efficiency and aesthetics.
Reviews (5)
Bob Ashford
Apr 08, 2022
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Have several visits in the past for small and large irrigation projects with Gentle Rain. They are a long time Virginia Beach based company and they have largely gotten the work done professionally and completely. I recently had some work done and had a question about the invoice. One of the owners contacted me directly and insured that I was satisfied.
Tim J.
Feb 28, 2021
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Wouldn't recommend at all. Sump pump was installed and backyard hasn't shown any improvement. If anything it's became worst due to the areas where the pump was installed now hold even more water.
Jeff Gordon
Jan 09, 2021
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We recently contacted Gentle Rain about having an irrigation system installed in our yard. They were very quick to respond and set up a time to meet with us and discuss our project. Ben took the time to walk us thru the job and explain to us what the process would entail. We decided to use this company and we would HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking to have an irrigation system installed utilize this company. Everyone from the installers to the office personal went above and beyond to help complete our project. Thank You Gentle Rain, you have a customer for life!
Glenn B.
Oct 12, 2020
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I want to thank Gentle Rain for taking the time to come to my home and provide me an honest quote. The gentleman took the time to thoroughly walk me through the different options available for my situation. Rather than trying to take advantage of my lack of familiarity with water features, he gave me honest feedback based on his experience and even walked me though what I would need to do if I chose to do the project myself. I reached out to at least six other companies and Gentle Rain set themselves apart with their candor and professionalism. They will be my first call for any future projects.
Tony Anderson
May 13, 2020
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Gentle rain did a great job on my sprinkler system. Ben was a very responsive anytime I text him or had a question. Also price was fair for what i had done
