Michael Forness New Smyrna
Owner of Coastal Landscapes of Volusia LLC
Michael W. Forness is a design-build landscaping specialist whose career is characterized by technical discipline and a strong connection to the coastal environment he serves. Also known informally as “Mike” or “Michael Forness”, the New Smyrna Beach-based landscape contractor focuses primarily on high-end residential landscaping, where he has more than two decades of hands-on experience.
Mike graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. In 2005, he earned a certified state building contractor license from the Florida State Construction Licensing Board, which provides him with a formal credential supporting his work in the building and landscape field.
Shaping Coastal Landscapes
In New Smyrna Beach, Mike Forness's work is closely linked to outdoor design for riverfront and oceanfront homes. His career has centered on a design-build process that combines planning, construction knowledge, site coordination, and final installation into one organized approach.
Michael is the owner of Coastal Landscapes of Volusia. Since founding the company in 2001, he has primarily worked with homeowners seeking more than routine landscaping services. Many of his projects involve coastal properties, where drainage, soil conditions, salt exposure, and changing weather must be considered before a lasting outdoor space can be created.
Michael Forness, New Smyrna, sees landscaping as part of the home’s overall structure and use. Each project is shaped with attention to balance, function, and long-term performance. By remaining involved in client discussions, scheduling, and field coordination, he helps guide each phase with consistency. This steady participation has helped him earn trust from homeowners with high-value properties and specific expectations.
Design-Build Expertise in a Competitive Market
Working in a coastal area such as New Smyrna Beach requires experience beyond standard landscaping practices. Salt air, uneven terrain, heavy moisture, and shifting weather patterns can affect how an outdoor space performs over time. His approach considers these conditions while maintaining an attractive, useful, and well-suited design for the property.
Michael's projects often involve custom outdoor areas for luxury residences. These spaces may include hardscape features, plant selection, irrigation planning, and full layout development. Every element has to serve its own purpose while fitting into the broader plan. This type of coordination is a key part of his design-build work.
The business side of each project also matters. Clear estimating, reliable scheduling, client communication, and careful resource planning all help keep projects on track. His business education supports these responsibilities and gives him a practical foundation for managing both the design and operational sides of the company.
Mike Forness Outside the Job Site
Outside of work, he stays connected to the coastal lifestyle that defines much of the area. He enjoys offshore fishing and surfing, spending much of his free time around the waters of Florida’s east coast.
At home, Michael values his role as a husband and father. His wife serves as the business's office manager and marketing director, helping with daily operations and supporting its continued development.
He and his wife have three daughters, each following her own path. One graduated from UCF and is now in nursing school at Daytona State, pursuing the nurse practitioner track.
Another graduated from Florida State University and is pursuing a career as a CPA. His youngest daughter is still in high school, where she balances academics and athletics as an honor roll student and goalkeeper for the New Smyrna Beach Cudas. She also competes in club soccer for Ormond Beach.
Community Ties
Over the years, Michael has remained closely connected to the community through both his personal life and his company. His landscaping work contributes to the look and function of local neighborhoods, especially in places where outdoor living is an important part of daily life.
Michael's support also extends beyond his professional projects. He has been an active supporter of local youth sports programs and related community efforts. Through his business, he has often sponsored high school boys' and girls' soccer clubs.
This involvement reflects his interest in supporting the area in a steady, practical way. It also connects with his family’s ties to athletics, especially through his youngest daughter’s participation in competitive soccer.
Continuing Professional Standards and Community Commitment
As landscaping and building practices continue to change, the main standards behind his work remain consistent. Attention to detail, organized project management, and a clear understanding of client expectations continue to guide his professional approach. While outdoor design trends may change, he remains focused on durable, functional, and cohesive spaces.
In New Smyrna Beach, Michael Forness's work reflects the demands of coastal properties and the lifestyle of the people who live there. With extensive experience, practical business judgment, and continued community involvement, he demonstrates a steady commitment to high-quality residential landscape design.