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Do you do design only?
Not anymore. We enjoy having a small crew and like being able to, and even insist upon overseeing every one of our installations with careful attention to detail.
Do you do consultations?
On occasion, if our schedule allows
How much do you charge?
It depends on the job, of course.
Keep in mind our projects tend to run from $40,000 to lower six figures.
What counties do you work in?
Alameda, Contra Costa, and Marin mostly, but on occasion, we will consider work outside these areas.
What's the process?
First we have a chat on the phone to acquaint ourselves with the scope of the project, to get the gist of what a potential client has in mind, the location, timeframe, general budget, etc. Then, if the fit seems right, we make an appointment to meet the clients on site.
This meeting usually takes at least 1 ½ hours. We ask many questions, listen to a client's ideas and dreams for their garden, while sharing our visceral responses to what's being said and what the potential might be. We find walking through the house very helpful for many reasons - to get a good feel for the architecture of the home, the prominent sight lines, the access to garden spaces, and any particular sensibility that the homeowner has established inside that could be developed in the garden, as well.
It usually takes us about 2 weeks to come up with a ballpark estimate for the installation according to what was discussed. Sometimes we work on a bid basis, sometimes time and material. Two sets of figures are given at this time, a basic window for the job and the cost of the design.
Should the client want to proceed, we then send out a contract for the design with a deposit required in order to hold a place on the design queue. A small, non-refundable portion is also charged at this time, should the installation not be realized for reasons outside our control.
A typical design takes 2 - 6 weeks to complete, depending upon its complexity. We visit the site, take pictures, measurements, sit awhile… and if there are other ideas that arise upon further familiarity with the site, we share those with the client before incorporating them into the design.
The preliminary plan is then presented to the client, usually on site, sometimes at our office. Soon thereafter, if needed, a final plan is generated in order to address any client feedback from the preliminary plan. Collaborations with architects, engineers, general contractors, interior designers, etc., are always welcomed.
We then schedule the installation depending on our queue and the client's preference, if there is one.
Do you charge for the initial visit?
This meeting is free.
Do you do maintenance?
We do yearly or bi-annual maintenance on the gardens we've installed only. We do not do weekly or monthly maintenance but like to keep our hand in our gardens to assure their continued beauty and health.
What services do you offer?
From design to finished installation, including masonry, irrigation, water features, drainage, carpentry, color consultation, an eye for beautiful things, and a desire to do the best we can, building your garden as we would our own.
What services do you perform "in house?"
We perform every aspect of our installations with the exception of pool and poured-in-place spa construction, and large scale concrete finishing.
Do you install a garden designed by someone else?
We've done this once or twice, but generally not.
Do you perform commercial as well as residential work?
Yes, on occasion, but the vast majority of our work is "high end" residential.
Do you recommend anyone for maintenance beyond mow and blow?
We recommend Heather Hafleigh of Buckaroo Gardening for maintenance. She does great work, is reliable and offers a tremendous aesthetic. 510/528.1031
Any other recommendations?
Over the years we've enjoyed working with and making the acquaintances of many wonderful craftspeople, and people who are tremendously talented, whatever their expertise:
Maintenance
Heather Hafleigh 510/528.1031
General Contractors
Matthew Friedman(Friedman Brueggemeyer)510.848.3390
Geoffery Semans (the Original Crafters) 510/834.8088
Bill Jetton (Jetton Construction) 510/845.3506
Keith Alward (Alward Construction) 510/527.6498
Chip Harley (Holland & Harley Con.) 510/528.3373
Tile installation
Riley Doty (Doty Tile) 510/261.1122
Phylece Snyder (Snyder Tile Co) 510/444.8103
Plaster companies
Richardson Plastering 415/763.2589
Clearing & Hauling
Bill Schaaf (Midgard Yardwork) 510/527.6368
Architects
Steve Rynerson (Rynerson & O'Brien Arch) 510/452.9152
G+S Architects 510/548.7448
Bennett Christopherson 510/383.8900
Concrete Contractors
Paradigm Concrete & Masonry 925/755.4940
Bohannan Concrete 925/932.2192
Pool Contractors
Steve Adams (Adams Pool Solutions) 925/828.3100
Hot Tubs
Tubmakers 510/843.2000
Tree pruning & care
Christopher Bowen 510/836.3484
Ken Kirsch 510/525.8159
Brende & Lamb 510/486.8733
Peter Rudy (Big Chief Tree Serv) 510/528.3588
Tree removal
Roman Tree Service 888/576.6267
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