Landscape Design

Better living starts with a good plan!

Better living starts with CONSIDERATION; a thoughtful weighing of ones needs, budget, and ideas towards the future. Enjoy!

Getting Started:

We will meet with you on site to familiarize ourselves with you, your family, and the property; meticulously measuring all aspects of the yard to ensure we develop an accurate design and estimate. We’ll also ask you a host of questions like:

• Do you want to do the project in phases?
• Is this an interim home? Forever home? Or will it possibly be a rental?
• Do you need special consideration for anyone with disabilities?
• Does anyone have allergies to particular plants?
• Are there any intrusive neighboring views we need to filter or block?
• Do you have a budget you want to stay under?

…and so many more!

The Presentation:

Upon completion of the design and estimate, we’ll follow up with you to schedule a time to thoroughly review the concept, costs, and provide some samples. From there, we can make revisions, revise and fine-tune as desired.

The Proposal, Specifications, and Estimate are free. If you would like to purchase the plan, you’re welcome to do so (plans start at $450). However, if you ultimately decide to move forward with us, we’ll CREDIT you the COST OF THE PLAN towards the contract price. So, there’s really no risk if you love the plan!

Moving Forward:

Once the conceptual plan has been completed and we’ve met the budget requirements, we’ll set up a convenient time to sign the contract, establish a start date and do our “painted layout” of the hardscaping (patios and walkways, etc.). Although the plan gives you an overall concept of what is to be done, the painted layout gives you a real-world sense of spaces, pathways, and more. Once this takes place, we encourage our folks to set tables and chairs in those spaces – helping to determine if it’s perfect for your needs.

Lastly, you will receive a suggested plant list that fits the theme of your project (Tropical, Mediterranean, Alpine, Contemporary, etc.). If you have special plants you would like to incorporate into the project, we encourage you to do so!

Remember, it’s all about you!

Should you have a plan?

This one is just common sense. You don’t build a home, a bridge, or a city without a plan. Why would you treat one of your most valuable investments any other way?

If you have a plan — a good plan — you know where the project starts and you know where it ends (both in terms of work and cost). But the benefits of a plan extend beyond that.

Before the plan is even developed, you should be considering at least three things: Are you in it for the long run? Are you a short term owner? Or are you considering the home as a future rental? Finding out the answers to these questions should govern the development of the plan.

Our plans take all the above into consideration and so much more. “The difference is in the details” is not just something we say — it’s what we live by.

REMEMBER: “The only dumb question is the question not asked.” We are here to help. Please do not be shy.

Our hope with this page, if absolutely nothing else, is that it gives you a little bit better insight as to who we are and how we work. Part of our goal is to help educate and inform our friends in the community about beneficial landscaping and what it can do for the quality of your life and the value of your home.

Licensed vs. Unlicensed

Accountability. It’s plain and simple.

Licensed landscape contractors will have a six (6) digit number that ties them to their classification (C-27) with the state. For example, our number is 811946. If you want to check your contractors history with the state, all you have to do is go to the CSLB Web site and punch in their number and you will have their history right at your finger tips.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the unlicensed guy. And lets be honest, that is exactly how he / she wants it. There is no accountability. If they do a poor job and you wish to seek compensation through a third party, they simply change their phone number and move on to the next project.

But they had a license? Look closer. More than likely it is a Business License. Business Licenses are essentially permits granted by the city to perform work within the city.

The way I see it, next to your significant other, a home is one of the biggest investments most people will make in a lifetime. Why would anyone risk depreciating the value of their home with shoddy workmanship or poor planning just to save a few dollars? But they do. And often they don’t even realize there’s a problem until it’s too late.