California Smartscape

We hardscaped our backyard with Smartscape last year. Started around October 2023 and completed in the summer of 2024. The smartscape team designed, went through HOA approval process, and built for us. They were professional, delivered on time and quality work. The follow through after everything was completed, when little issues happened, was also excellent. The plants grew out beautifully with very few issues. We would recommend Smartscape with no reservations.

Backyard project turned out beautiful. Starting with Jay’s positive energy and Jesse’s spot on design we couldn’t be happier. Leo kept the project moving and Krissy did a magnificent job with pots, plants and aesthetics. The whole team was friendly and easy to work with on our project. Highly recommend the Smartscape team!

We had a great experience working with California Smartscape! Our project was challenging and we had to walk away from more than one proposals. California Smartscape cracked the code with an amazing design that transformed our front and backyard landscapes. Materials and plant decisions were supported by solid recommendations based on our personal style The project was well managed and we could not be happier with the end result.

I loved working with the team and the quality of work and crews were always the best! From the design to finish was all handled great!

California Smartscapes has really come through for our plans and backyard drought resistant, low water, plenty of seating, shade, pavers, an awesome pergola and it ties into our side yard seamlessly like a glove. It's really so so nice now and we could not be happier. We experienced Total professionals, good listeners, really coordinated processes and top notch job focus by Alvaro and the crews that came here. Our designer Andrew planned for this dream and drew it with us, Gustavo coordinated, Krissy beautified and they were all specialized and so kind, creative and always made solutions available. I respect this company. I have a place in my big heart for all of them.

We couldn’t be happier with California Smartscape. The whole team that we worked with from start to finish was excellent. Starting with Andrew he incorporated our current pool design, all the while adding functionality for our family needs, but always keeping aesthetics in mind. Our project manager Leo provided good communication on our project timeline and keeping us abreast on any project matters that needed to be attended to. Omar, the project foreman, was very approachable and offered continuous guidance on project details. He also has a keen eye for aesthetics during the construction process. If there was anything that didn’t look right he would ask us if this was how it was supposed to be or needed to be changed. Krissy was excellent in communicating and listening to our plant wants and incorporating them into our landscape design. Additionally, she offered great direction in final details of color selection, and decor. Overall we felt the whole team offered a great level of professionalism. Here are a few things we will look for in future construction companies: - Communication. - Has an eye for aesthetics. - Approachable for changes during the design process and minor details during installation. - Itemized invoice, we knew where every dollar was going and what it was paying for

California Smartscape was recommended to us by our contractor, and when he recommends someone they are good. We were not disappointed. The team was great, working with us to create a plan for our entire yard, staying within our budget and being flexible on timeline. They were readily available for questions as we were in process and the final look is stunning. We get so many compliments from our neighbors, and have given two of them the name of the company as they want to use them as well. Highly recommend!

My husband and I are thrilled with our new backyard! From the beginning Andrew understood our needs and worked on a design that would give us more usable space for our family gatherings. Andrew is jus wonderful to work with! He is attentive to your needs and concerns and has an incredible vision for hardscape design and landscape. Once the design was done, they had to demolish existing cement and level our whole backyard to have more usable space. They installed pavers, lighting, gas lines for our fire pit and grill and landscape. It all came together even better than we ever imagined! The whole team was led by our project manager, Alvaro, who is a pleasure to work with. Every worker that was brought in was professional, punctual, and tidied up before they left for the day. Alvaro was always responsive and accommodating with the changes that we thought needed to be done along the way and still the project was completed on time and within the budget. We wish we could give more than 5 stars and cannot recommend this company enough! Hiring California Smartscape was the best decision we could have made and one we will enjoy for many years to come!!

I can’t say enough good things about this company! Everyone, including Andrew, Al, and Carlos were very friendly, communicative and they finished the project ahead of schedule. They provided great suggestions and were very attentive to detail. I am very happy with the design and construction process. It turned out great and have been living in our backyard!

California Smartscape provides a landscape design service you will appreciate as the owner, Richard helps you develop your best options to take a nondescript landscape and makes it remarkable. Andrew Vesey, the designer has broad and specific knowledge in hardscape design. If you have ideas or not Andrew will help you bring options into focus. He has a creative mind and well-thought out plans to put your landscape project in the best possible condition. His work crew is highly commendable because of their talent and work ethics. They are on time, work hard, and pick up the site at the end of the day. They are gifted and dedicated workers who are professional, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. If you have any questions or concerns, the Project Manager, Alvaro, will address them. He stands behind his work 100%. You can depend on your area lasting a long time since the materials used are excellent quality. The outcome is a beautiful oasis and one I will enjoy for many years.

One of the best home construction experiences I have ever had...and believe me when I say that I have had enough bad ones to know the difference!

California Smartscape, Shayna, Leo and Ruben's crew were amazing, professional, responsive and thorough. The work finished on time and within budget, accommodating needed timely changes and the outcome is a lovely well integrated landscape with an affordable balance of hardscape. I highly recommend the company and it was a pleasure to have a major project accomplished so smoothly.

California Smartscapes brought our imagination to reality all within our budget and time request. Our San Marcos, CA Modern/Contemporary space came out exactly how we pictured it. Despite the COVID19 setbacks, they pushed through on time and very professionally. The project manager (Leo) paid great attention to detail and made sure we were satisfied all the way through. Great company!

When I saw the vision Shayna the designer at California Smartscape had, I had to make it into my backyard paradise. Sal, Rafa and the team were thorough and dedicated in making the vision a reality. I will enjoy this backyard for years to come! The last day, a house inspector was over and he noted how clean they worked and what a quality job they had done. He asked them for their business card so he could refer them business. He is somebody who would know and probably the greatest recommendation right there!

My wife and I hired California Smartscapes to complete a 100,000 plus landscaping job at our home in Bay Park. As you can tell by the photos it turned out amazing! In fact, it turned out better than we could have anticipated. The guys were very professional and their effort and work ethic was first class. We are excited to spend our weekends and nights outside BBQing, enjoying the fire pit and watching sports! I will say there is no one more excited than our labradooble, Callie! Now, all she wants to do is be outside playing ball on the grass :) Thank you all for making our home complete!

The team at California SmartScape is amazing! We could not be more thrilled with how our patio, pergola, and grill area turned out. Andrew and Sal had great ideas for perfecting the design, materials, and layout of our space. They finished the project on their exact projected timeline. The workmanship was excellent. We are so grateful for their ideas throughout the process - many details they suggested have dramatically enhanced the utility of the space (e.g., adding a water filter to the sink, choosing a larger fridge). We highly recommend California SmartScape!

We are so pleased with our new backyard! We have so much more usable space, and less grass to water. Andrew was awesome to work with for the design aspect. Saul and his crew did an amazing job - hardest working guys I have ever seen. They demolished an existed cement patio, installed pavers, moved 2 big pygmy date palms, installed gas lines, put in new drip system, installed new sod. We had a few plants not make it and they were quick to get them replaced. We highly recommend California Smartscape and will use them again when we do our front yard.

We have nothing but great things to say about California Smartscape. They transformed our outdoor space. Our property abuts a canyon, so we only had a narrow area to work with. They designed and built a meandering lighted path of plants, rocks, and pavers, leading to a fire pit circle on one end and a patio and raised deck on the other end. The deck can be accessed from either the patio or the master bedroom. They also reconfigured the front entrance to permit new stucco walls, with a wrought iron gate, separating our driveway from entry into the property Andrew was an amazing designer! He listened to what we wanted, and gently steered us away from things he felt would not work well. He and I went to a nursery just to “window shop.” He listened to my priorities (low fuss native plants and color) and noted everything I liked. He steered me away from things that would require more maintenance that I was willing to do. He answered our questions in a timely way throughout (and even after) the project. Sal was an incredible project manager. He was onsite regularly and was always responsive when specific issues arose. We made some design changes as the project unfolded and everyone was open to these modifications. The crew, headed up by Tony, worked diligently and the project started on time and even ended a bit earlier than planned. There were no surprises in cost overruns. We recommend California Smartscape without any hesitation!

CS was attentive and suggestive to my goals for the property, listened intently, created 2D rendering of the project concept all at no initial cost to me. Had owner, Richard and designer Samantha actively engaged in making my plans for the project not only appropriate for the property but also worked aggressively to control the budgetary requirements. Compared to the 2 other designers I was evaluating, it was an impressive beginning. Project delivery, given the hurdles that we had to jump through, was amazing. Project Supervisor, Leo, was attentive to my desire to make changes on the fly as we laid out the project and was good to communicate and discuss the additional cost for change orders. The professionalism of the crews and attention to details was a very positive experience. Even up to the day of the final walk through. Having been through a massive landscape remodel of this kind only once before (not same in scope) I was impressed with their ability to manage all aspects of it's complexity. I could not speak more highly of CA Smartscape and their team. Would hire them again without question!

I am very pleased and even amazed at the transformation of my back yard. First, I must compliment Jesse, the landscape architect who designed my project. I had very specific "wants and needs" which he incorporated perfectly. The renderings and plans were excellent. The job supervisor, Leo, was very impressive. Even though he was overseeing quite a few other jobs, he never forgot any details or tweeks I wanted in my project. He was always very responsive. It took approximately 3 months to complete my project. I'm sure it would have taken other companies much longer as I saw happening when my neighbors had landscape work done at their homes. Many days there were 5-7 men on my job; they showed up promptly at 7 AM and worked very hard all day. They would also clean up the site at the end of each day. They were very experienced, as evidenced by the great work they did. I am a very particular person, so I closely watched the work being done. Santiago was often on-site and always checked the plans to be sure the job was being built as specified, He also expertly did much of the work himself. My backyard went from having very little useable or functional space to a place where I can easily entertain 50 or more people. When the job was done they did the final TLC, as Leo calls it, and they even washed my lower story windows and patio doors that were bordering the construction site. Final compliments to Jessica the office admin person and Richard the owner of the company. Photos were taken on a cloudy day and don't do the project justice.

Working with Isaiah from the first contact we had with him was a great experience. He listened to what we envisioned for our new sideyard and then worked closely with us to stay within our budget. Something no other company did! He was easy to communicate with, had great design skills and best of all throughout the process their were no surprises. When Edgar and his crew took over to do the actual work they were great. They showed up every morning on time, worked tirelessly all day and completed the project in under two weeks which was amazing. The quality of their work is excellent. Our project came out exactly as designed and the yard looks better than we ever thought it could. Don't bother calling anyone but California Smartscape for your outdoor project.

We contacted California Smartscape to give us an estimate on redoing our front and back yards. They had been destroyed by putting a pool in and by a large tree in the front yard that damaged the hardscape. We spoke at length to Richard and Nick about our budget and our ideas for the yard. The proposal they came back with was within our budget and had all the elements we wanted. We were pleasantly surprised because we had contacted others and their proposals were way above budget and did not have the elements we wanted. The crews that came out to do the work were wonderful. They were professional, considerate and respectful. Steve was a great project manager who attended to things as they came up during the work. Ruben was a good crew supervisor. He had a good relationship with his workers. Now that our project is complete, we couldn’t be happier. The whole yard has been transformed into a natural landscape with easy to care for low water plants, low voltage LED lighting and drip irrigation. We even have a small artificial grass lawn in back! If you need landscape work, this is the company I would recommend.

After purchasing a new home we hired California Smartscape to design and complete a full remodel of our back yard, including pool, fire pit, bbq, pergola, and putting green. They came highly recommended to us by a friend. The design team and process was very professional and thorough. Once the project started, they handled everything from demo of old yard, to hardscape, softscape, irrigation, drainage, lighting etc. We were very impressed with the knowledge, skills, and thoroughness of each of the crew members who worked on the various aspects of the project. We were especially impressed since much of the labor occurred during the hot summer months. This was a large project, and although there were some glitches along the way, Sal worked to get them all resolved. The finished project is truly amazing, and even a family member who is also an experienced builder, commented about the high quality of the workmanship. After the project was finished, Sal has checked in with us to inquire about any issues, and has ensured us his crew will return to touch up some minor flaws following some bad weather. We truly have our own personal resort now, and we could not be more thrilled!

The process was great. Working with Nick was easy and he adjusted our design within our budget without compromising aesthetics. Our construction project manager (Leo) made this entire process much easier. A few items had to be addressed and adjusted and Leo was professional, thorough and direct. We love our new backyard.

We hired California Smartscape to transform our small front, side & backyard to be waterwise & low maintenance. The job involved concrete & tree removal, paver installation, rock gardens, artificial turf, & drip irrigation. Our requests were followed, much appreciated suggestions made, & a carefully thought out plan was presented. The crews did excellent work, worked long days, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. We highly recommend this company.

We used Ca Smartscapes to landscape our back and front yards. We were new construction so we’re working with a large dirt lot. Andrew was awesome to work with on design, goals, and budgets. They required no up front payment unless you loved the design they built and wanted to use them to do the work— took all the pressure off until we designed a solution that we loved. We met with many other landscapers and this was not the case at all. They even had us into the studio to do the whole HGTV experience of visualizing out backyard in 3D. When the work started they had a top notch team with a great project manager (we had Leo)- stayed exactly on budget and within the proposed timeframe. Would gladly work with them again and again.

If you need to save some time, forget reading the rest of the review and just call California Smartscape to schedule your project. If you're still reading, here are a details. We just moved to the area from the East Coast and purchased a home that was turnkey inside but had a blank canvas backyard. Our goal was to create an outdoor space that would let us enjoy the SD weather. We are neither creative nor handy and therefore did a ton of research for a firm that could take us from design through to finished product and, after reading multiple reviews and looking at photos, interviewed 3 firms. We picked California Smartscape after our initial consultation with Andrew because 1) he was responsive and easy to communicate with (something that continued throughout the process); 2) listened carefully about what we were looking for and had great ideas about how to bring our vision through to reality; and 3) did not shy from voicing his opinion which I appreciated given the firm's experience. Once the design was set, we were fortunate to have Leo manage our project. Leo was great with communication, coordinated with Andrew efficiently and reached out to us only when important decisions about the project needed to be made. He was also quick to respond if we had any questions or concerns during the project. Of note, Leo was great at thinking of "creative" solutions for any issues that were encountered during the construction. His crew was also extremely professional. While this was not a cheap project for us, California Smartscape's estimate came within a stone throw's distance of the others and the final cost came within expected variance. We ended up with an outdoor space that we truly love and fits our family's lifestyle.

California smartscape quickly turned our empty backyard into a perfect outdoor getaway for both the kids and adults. Our designer Nick came to our place to meet to understand our wants and needs. A few days later we met at their office to review his 3D animation of our reimagined backyard. He allowed us to break up the entire project into 3 phases to make it more affordable and showed us what each phase would look like. Leo led the crew in completing the project in the backyard in just a couple of weeks. He was easy to work with and did a great job putting it all together. With phase one complete, we are looking forward to working with them again to complete the next 2 phases.

I hired this co. Thru my friends who also gave a smashing review. This company is stacked with talent with Jesse as my designer architect and Leo and Edgar's team as the executors. They earned the 5 stars with being on time, great communicators, prices holding up without changes and ultimately great finished product that matched the design to a "t". I highly recommend them!

I landed on California Smartscapes after doing a considerable amount of homework online, reading reviews on various sites as well as looking at the photos of their work. At first, I narrowed my selection to 3 designers and decided to go with California Smartscapes after my initial, at home consultation with Nick Hofmann. NIck and I spent a good amount of time kicking around some ideas and options as I had a general idea of what I wanted but nothing concrete. I was looking for advice and some input on how best to maximize the space and deliver something aesthetically pleasing but practical as well for the family. We went through a few rounds of concepting at their design center, where they really take the time walk you through their concepts and make modifications based on feedback. The design center is a really nice addition that allows you to visualize the concepts. Lastly, when it came to execution, Nick and the team were always on time, responsive, accommodating to my family's schedule (2 newborns at the time), proactive in communicating information and finished the job ahead of schedule. I believe in you get what you pay for and CS delivers an excellent product and experience that allows me to highly recommend them to anyone considering a landscape project.

I was in a bad relationship with my former landscaper who left our backyard a total nightmare. Multiple landscaping companies came out and ran the other way after seeing the mess our former landscaper created. We were a total mess! California Smartscape came in, and from the first meeting I just had a really good feeling about them. Jay and Jesse came in for the inital quote, and Leo was the project manager for the duration of our project. They were prompt, responsive, professional, and above all - KIND. Just really, REALLY good people. They got to work right away and completed everything in the time frame they gave us. Throughout the whole process, I was in the know of what area would be tackled next, what materials would be brought in, who would be working on what... each week the communication was clear on what would be done. They have this business down like a well oiled machine, and always answered any questions I had in a prompt manner. Leo had the best attitude coming into work. He is extremely thorough, knowledgeable, and easy going... even when there were some unexpected challenges (left by my former landscaper). He was like a friggin' detective, figuring out our old plumbing/electric lines, and combing through our old plan to make sure our new yard would be perfect. WE LOVE LEO!! We're about a year in, and everything has held up perfectly. The guys installed a drip system for our plants, and we use less water now, but our trees are twice as tall as our neighbors who started their landscaping way before we did. Seriously, they have everything figured out to the tee. We're so thankful they decided to take us on despite the challenges... now we have so many neighbors asking who did our yard - I still can't believe they were able to turn the mess around into a perfect backyard getaway.

Can't say enough great things about this company. The team of people at California Smartscape were knowledgeable, courteous, proficient and extremely helpful. They heard what we wanted while also suggesting ideas on where to cut cost to stay within our budget. The process was smooth, fast and easy. They were very hands on and most importantly always available to answer questions along the way. We love our new backyard and we would highly recommend them.

Move into a new home and had a big backyard to do. CA Smartscape's people were professional, pleasant, and easy to work with. They did what they said they would do and there were no surprises. I'd use them again.

California Smartscape has an amazing team and does a fantastic job. They started out coming by our place to get a feel for our space and get ideas for what we wanted. Nick then created a vision for us and showed us an animated version of our yard so we could see it. The teams that did the work were courteous, prompt and kept the area clean. Sal our project manager helped make everything happen and was always extremely responsive. People stop by all the time asking us who did our yard. It is amazingly beautiful and tailored to exactly what we wanted. Call them if you want an amazing experience and a great yard.

I'm very happy with California Smartscape. Our design professional Nick was superb! He created a great backyard design that we love! The construction team did an excellent job setting the new stone, building our new pergola and creating the BBQ and fire pit. They worked hard to complete the project on-time and more importantly, they paid attention to every detail. The owner Richard took a personal interest in the project and made sure we were happy with every phase. I'm very happy with California Smartscape and highly recommend them for your design and construction needs.

march 2018 I love CaliforniaSmartScape! Right form the first meeting with the designer to the last meeting with project manager, everyone was professional, knowledgeable and friendly. A Pleasure to work with.... My finished yard is the envy of the neighborhood. - Treadway

Wonderful Landscape design and construction company .Jessy York and team, especially Leo Ledesma, worked very hard to please us with everything . The backyard is beautiful. We recommend this firm to anybody .

We wanted something very clean and simple, and also low maintenance for our newly built home. Andrew worked with us on the landscape design and from start to finish we felt that he really understood our aesthetic. He came up with solutions to problems we didn’t even know we had and came up with a design that perfectly suits our needs, all while keeping the project within our $35,000 budget. Leo was our project manager through the construction phase. Everything ran super smoothly. The guys showed up promptly at 7:00 am every day and cleaned up as much as they could before they left. Everyone I talked to was very professional and friendly. Leo gave us a timeline of 3 weeks, which we thought was fairly ambitious since most of the other companies we talked to quoted us at least 6 weeks. But even with a couple days off for Thanksgiving, they were able to complete the project on time. The finished project was exactly what we wanted. The quality of the workmanship is superb and the final cost came out to exactly the estimate Andrew quoted us. We highly recommend California Smartscape and the work they do!

First, let me say.... our project was not easy. We had high expectations of what we were trying to accomplish. We went through two other high-end San Diego landscape designers, both of whom were awful, to say the least. Jay Gardner of California Smartscape came to our rescue, telling us, “We will create the yard of your dreams.” Jay indeed created the beautiful yard we were dreaming of – perfect for our family and perfect for entertaining! Throughout the process, we were able to see the vision created by Jay and his wonderful designer Jesse in 3D, which allowed us to easily implement and immediately see any changes in the design to create the perfect backyard we had imagined. Our onsite contractors Sal and Bob managed the job to perfection. Their skillful staff were on the job site every day, worked diligently, and were always respectful of our property. The project was finished in a timely manner, as promised. After going through hell with two previous designers, we found heaven with California Smartscape. We now sit and enjoy our backyard with our friends and family every day. We thank Jay, Jesse, and their entire staff for helping us achieve the ultimate entertaining backyard, where all of our neighbors want to visit!

We absolutely enjoyed working with this company from start to finish. Jay and Julie started with the design and they had such great ideas. We did both our front and back yard. They did concrete walk ways and two patios in the backyard. We had two patio covers built, mowing strips, privacy wall in front and a retaining wall in back. They did lighting in the yards which look beautiful. They put in synthetic grass which we just love. Low maintenance and conserves water. Leo and his crew were such hard workers and were here on the job everyday. They started this job when promised and finished it when they said they would. They were very very fair in price and we just love the way it turned out. It exceeded our expectations. We would highly recommend this company. Such a great experience. Thanks to all of you at Smartscape for a beautiful yard that we will enjoy for years.

What can I say? From start to finish California Smartscape did an amazing job converting our empty backyard into an enjoyable living space for my family and friends. From our initial meetings with Andrew through the *exceptional* job handling by Leo and Eliel, we were very pleased. Most importantly, our project had scope changes. California Smartscape was both fair and honest in addressing issues as they surfaced and ensured that all of our needs were addressed. I would strongly recommend them to anyone needing their services.

The SmartScape team was a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. Jay put together a plan that met our budget and timeline, and with Julia designed a hardscape and landscape plan that met our needs for low maintenance, water efficiency, and lifestyle. In two months Leo and Bob and a very hard working crew removed truckloads of 25 years of accumulated debris and tired plants and installed a paver patio and sidewalks, drainage system, irrigation and lighting systems, and new landscaping. Julia was responsive and innovative with her landscape plan and the end result is just what we hoped for. I wish we had done all this sooner, but I'm glad we found California SmartScape and got it done right.

What a wonderful experience and the end result exceeded our expectations!Although our backyard had limited space, Andrew was able to maximize the patio with beautiful pavers, wall seating and lovely lighting. Bob and his crew were great to work with and were extremely reliable. They worked hard and cleaned up daily. The work was completed exactly as promised and we are looking forward to enjoying our beautiful yard. I highly recommend their work.

We hired California Smartscape to do an extensive remodel of our front and back yards. After meeting with three different landscape contractors, we felt a real connection with the CS team. We found the design process to be collaborative and informative. Our final presentation, prior to signing our contract, was tremendous - Jesse's design plan was beyond what we were to able to imagine on our own. He took what we had said and put together a beautiful design. Work started promptly upon execution of the contract and was continual from day one. The workers arrived on time and put in a full day, with a good clean-up prior to going home. Our foreman, Leo, was a pleasure to work with and always available to answer any questions or handle any concerns. The final product is spectacular! We have had numerous neighbors knock on our door and ask for a referral, which we are happy to give. Since no project is perfect, I will say that construction took longer than we had hoped - but that being said - we anticipated this in advance and were not surprised. This was an extensive job with lots of craftsmanship required. We would absolutely recommend California Smartscape!

We want to thank California Smartscape for the wonderful job they did on our backyard. We had never had to design a backyard, so we weren't quite sure how the process went. We met with Jay (owner) and Nick (designer). They were both very attentive and informative. I explained what we were looking for and looked to them for suggestions. We had a budget in mind and told them we might need to do some things later, and they were very understanding. Nick did a terrific job on the design and both he and Jay went over the plans with us. We then met with Sal and Bob, who would be overseeing the job. They, along with their crew were wonderful. They were always on time and Bob always gave me an update and heads up on when to expect things (mulch, plants, etc.). They stuck to the timeframe which was great too. I would definitely recommend them and use them again.

We cannot say enough wonderful things about the outstanding job California Smartscape did for us! We were on a very tight budget for a rather large space. They took the time to understand our needs and budget and Jessie ultimately came up with an outstanding design for our empty "upper" back yard that fit within our budget all while meeting our needs. Leo and his crew were true professionals that did not overlook any details. . They answered our questions while also ensuring we were informed of the process until completion. We look forward to our future projects and working with them again!

My wife and I wanted to make our outdoor space more livable for both ourselves and our two young daughters. We had some ideas, but our vision was limited in scope with just some basic starting points like artificial grass, larger patio, pergola, etc. In stepped Andrew and Jay of California Smartscape who during our initial meeting envisioned an outdoor space beyond what my wife and I had talked about. We had limited ourselves to the current layout of our 1954 house and not even contemplated expanding the useable space by simply blowing out a portion of our block wall and moving some of our current trees to new areas, but Andrew and Jay saw the possibilities immediately and began to roughly outline their vision. About a week later we met up at the California Smartscape headquarters in Sorrento Valley for the 3D rendering and blueprint of what was discussed at the initial walkthrough and we were blown away. The computer modeling really brought the concept to life as my wife and I began to understand exactly what Andrew and Jay had dreamed up. Then the fun began. My wife and I met with the foreman and crew for our project and Andrew walked them through the blueprint with us in tow, allowing us to ask questions and give input on exactly what we wanted. The crew chief, Leo, was beyond professional and respectful, quickly responding to all my inquiries and truly doing all that he could to accommodate our needs and wishes. No request was too large or small for Leo to take care of and my wife and I truly felt we were in the hands of a first class organization. As the job began, each day my wife and I would come home excited to see what progress had been made. After about a month the project was complete, our back yard had literally doubled in useable space by extending our brick wall with a dovetail fence and could now actually be enjoyed to its full potential. We had a space of turf upon which our kids could play, a patio with a pergola where we could all relax and enjoy the day, plus a beautiful walkway that connected the two areas into a seamless flow. Our front yard had become a compliment, instead of an eyesore during the winter months, from which our house now shines with the added bonus of requiring minimal upkeep as our traditional sprinkler system was replaced by a highly efficient micro-drip system and our grass was replaced with decomposed granite. Finally, the outdoor lighting system which Jay suggested as an accent piece, but more importantly a security measure, truly does light up our house in a manner that would seem to make it less prone to burglary (and more importantly puts my wife at ease). Upon the final walkthrough, the service from California Smartscape did not end as all parties made it clear that if anything happens (i.e., a plant dies, part of the fence breaks, etc.) simply give them a call and the situation would be remedied. I can not recommend California Smartscape highly enough.

I have used California Smartscape for various projects at my home in Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, over the past five years. The most recent project was by far the largest and, involved a contract in the area of $100,000. We wanted to modernize our landscaping while also reducing our irrigation water use by 250,000 gallons/year. They once again did a job which exceeded our expectations for quality and value. They started with a number of different design ideas from which we selected the final design. They then developed the plan and found a number of creative ways of keeping the costs down. For example, having the large cobble we used a lot of shipped directly from Arizona to the house and tying in the new drip irrigation system to our current supply system rather than starting over from scratch. The crew that did the work was outstanding and well supervised (the owner even showed up at least once a week to review results to date). They suggested and implemented appropriate design changes as we went along and were always responsive to requests we made. I have recommended California Smartscape to several neighbors who have used them and been as pleased with the results as we are.

With water conservation mandated in California, we wanted to get rid of our lawns and re-landscape to give a new look while using less water. We followed a recommendation to try California Smartscape. We’re glad we did. The project was quite extensive and included the following: • Remove existing lawns, irrigation and other landscaping. • Take out entrance walkway and driveway and replace with new ones. • Replace drainage system and install new drip irrigation. • Build small retaining wall. • Install synthetic lawns and new drought resistant plants. • Brought in soil amendments, accent boulders and decorative gravel. • Installed a low voltage outdoor lighting system. The job manager, foreman and crews conducted themselves in a professional manner: they were courteous, easy to communicate with, neat, and cleaned up at the end of each day. The workers were responsive to the little changes and modifications we sprung on them as time went on. The overriding attitude demonstrated by the entire team was not only were they doing their best, but they were serving their customer’s needs as well. We were extremely pleased with the outcome of our re-landscaping project and would not hesitate to recommend them to others or use them again if the need arose. It was a real pleasure to work with a company that has such integrity and desire to please the customer.

I hired California Smartscape to redesign and landscape my backyard. They installed two paver patios, one with a gazebo. Installed a wrought iron fence, sprinkler system, pathways, and lighting for a large back yard. Part of the yard included a artificial grass area and they also planted a slope and other areas of the yard with a tree, drought tolerant plants. I was so happy with the way things were going, I extended my project to include a matching paver driveway in the front along with new walkways to match and upgraded the rock gravel to something more attractive. I'm delighted with the outcome. The company delivered what they agreed upon, when they agreed to do it. The crews were very respectful of my property and also left the work area clean. They were prompt, professional, and thorough. They would respond to my suggestions or criticisms with grace and always resolved any problems that I had. The foreman of the job, Leo, was the best guy ever! I would hire them again in a heartbeat!

My experience with California Smartscape was a positive one. Always on time,did great work and fixed any problems right away. Sal the project manager was a blessing to work with. Richard W.

We cannot say enough wonderful things about the outstanding job California Smartscape did for us! They completely transformed our empty backyard into a wonderful retreat we enjoy everyday. Leo and his crew were true professionals that did not overlook any details. They were responsive, flexible and absolutely wonderful to work with. They were receptive and answered our questions while also ensuring we were informed of the process until completion. We look forward to our future projects and working with them again.

We had an overgrown, unmanageable front yard that needed to be replaced. Also, we decided to replace our concrete sidewalk and driveway with pavers. Finally we also decided to spruce-up an old brick façade with stone. We got quotes from three different reputable, well-established landscape companies. All the quotes were in the same ballpark. We chose California Smartscape and we couldn't be more pleased. Andrew V. in the design department, was extremely helpful in taking our ideas and molding them into a well thought out design. He was able to use his experience in landscape design to formulate a professional design plan that addressed our needs. He was very patient and guided us through picking materials, colors, and plants. Once the work started, we were very impressed how quickly it progressed. The original estimate was for 2-3 weeks and they completed in about 2 1/2 weeks! Having other construction work done by other contractors, we were floored that California Smartscape completed on time and exactly for the amount the contract indicated. The quality of work was exceptional as well. We noticed that even small details that we probably wouldn't have noticed were pains-takingly fixed. Our driveway pavers and side walk look like something worthy of a country club or high-end multi-million dollar home. Every neighbor within a block radius has commented how much they like the work that was done. Some even said they will probably get a quote from California Smartscape. Overall we are quite impressed at the quality, level of professionalism and integrity that California Smartscape displayed. Their workmen are true craftsmen and we truly enjoy the new front yard that they gave us.

First of all this review is long overdue, the only problem we've had is trying to stop enjoying our backyard long enough to come inside and take the time to write the review! The project was extensive and we basically gutted our entire front and back existing landscaping. This clearly would be a large project with lots of moving parts and dollar signs. We have high expectations with quality, work performance and sticking to a budget. I personally am a stickler with communication and trust. With all that said, our expectations were not only met but exceeded by all the professionals at California Smartscape. When changes came up, which they do as you start to see the design hit the dirt, they were very flexible and reasonable on design changes - we didn't feel locked into original design. We also had a pool done at the same time and they worked seamlessly with the pool subcontractors. We've had large projects on past homes and one of the first things we noticed right off the bat - the California Smartscape crew showed up every day, on time, and worked hard the entire time they were here. We were impressed with the hard work and dedication from day 1 until the project was completed. Even now, months after the project has been completed, if I have questions or notice something needs a little tweak - they are on it. Customer service is exceptional. One last note, our original backyard did not seem that big. After the new landscape design was completed, everyone including us, can't believe how big and spacious it is. Shows you how the proper design and use of your space can be life changing, we are constantly enjoying every inch of our outdoor space. Thank you California Smartscape!!!!!

Nick was able to take our ideas and the final product was exactly how we had envisioned. Leo, Eliel and their team were very professional, showed up on time every day and their craftsmanship was beyond expectations. They made a few suggestions to enhance the overall look and function of our BBQ and fire feature. We would highly recommend them.

After purchasing a new home we hired California Smartscape to handle the complete remodel of our back yard. We hired them as they were highly recommended to us and handled everything we wanted done; design, demo of old yard, hardscape, softscape, irrigation, drainage, etc. We were incredibly impressed with every phase of the project beginning with the design and all the way through completion. The project was completed within timeframes and not one penny over budget. Communication was excellent as they stayed in touch with us throughout the entire project and were incredibly flexible in making minor design changes requested by us to make sure we were getting exactly what we wanted in our yard. Every individual associated with the project acted in a very professional and respectful manner and took great pride in their work and our yard. We could not be happier and I would highly recommend this company to anyone with confidence.

We completely re-landscaped our front yard with low maintenance design and plants. The scope of work included irrigation, lighting, hardscape including a new driveway, walkway, stone work on our house, new entry wall with stone detail. We are thrilled with the results and the experience was better than we ever imagined. A truly professional operation from start to finish. Bob and his team were superior and Andrew created a spectacular design. I can't say enough about the company! We are absolutely thrilled. Thank you California Smartscape!! We love our new look!!

I found California Smartscape after deciding to convert my lawn to conserve water. I was fortunate to have Nick respond to my request. He was extremely knowledgeable and creative and worked with me to develop a design that fit my preferences. Timing was also very important as I was preparing to host my daughter's wedding. Nick and the team finalized the plan, lined up all the supplies and completed the job in less than two weeks. Best of all - it looks FANTASTIC!! I would highly recommend Nick and California Smartscape to anyone looking to upgrade their lawn.

My backyard needed help! The lay out was not functional and the bench area was in need of a replacement. I had done plenty of research prior to calling California Smartscape as I knew I wanted a low maintenance/low water solution. I also needed access to parts of the hill in my backyard that were difficult to reach. They listened to what I needed and wanted and worked with me to come up with a solution that I was comfortable with. The process itself was pretty painless. We reviewed plans and materials at one location, picked out plants together at a nursery and the crew showed up when they were scheduled. One big advantage with this company is everyone communicates by text! So, things do not get delayed or missed by missing a call etc. I communicated with them daily and always felt like I knew who was going to be at my house and when. Only had one miss step when a delivery showed up and no one was here to tell them where to put the materials, but those things happen. Other than that, it went like clock work. They are excellent on the details. They made sure everything was taken care of to my satisfaction. I noticed a couple of things I wanted "touched up" after the work was finished. They came out and took care of those things even after I had made the final payment. I did have some initial sticker shock :) but I decided to go with them as I realized they were professional, easy to work with (communication again) and reliable. Every one of the guys I worked with was very friendly and willing to spend time with me to be sure I understood how to take care of the plans or work the watering system. If you want the job done right without losing your mind, go with them!

Very professional company. I called and they sent a team out to give me design ideas and a quote. Very nice showroom with samples and a full blueprint was provided before they began. Started quickly and finished quickly and looked better than I had hoped. I recommend them highly.

Before my husband and I hired Jay and his wonderful crew, our front yard was a mess! What a transformation! We had a number of problems that needed to be corrected such as waterproofing an existing retaining wall and drainage issues. They not only fixed these problem areas, but created a beautiful yard for us to enjoy. Andrew was an amazing designer. We told Andrew we wanted a pergola and a round patio, and with that information he designed the perfect plan and even showed us a 3D rendering which made it so easy to preview the final project. This was a big project that included repairing an existing concrete patio, new retaining walls, a new pathway and round patio constructed with pavers, plants, drip irrigation system, bistro lights and landscape lighting. The drought tolerant plants are beautiful without the landscaping looking like a desert! I look out my kitchen window now and I smile every time. The project was supervised by Leo and he knew what he was doing and was easy to contact if we had any questions. Our project was completed on time and within our budget. The entire crew worked very hard and even finished just before a scheduled party. We highly recommend California Smartscape! We are planning on landscaping our backyard in the next couple of months and will hire Jay, again. We can't wait to see what Andrew designs for us next!.

Great company to work with. Our first time with a project of this size. The team was patient with us and walked us through great designs and provided wonderful ideas for the backyard. Work was done timely and of high quality. Great job!

An exceptional company! I was delighted with the advice, service and results of the landscaping project that California Smartscape completed at my home. This was huge project and I didn't know where to begin. Thanks to designer Andrew, president Richard, manager Bridget, and all of the crews, we have a beautiful and functional outdoor space. Work was completed on time and on budget and they even took good care around our dogs! I would definately recommend this company and will use them again. When you call make sure to ask for Andrew - an exceptional designer!

Awesome design, very good at listening to our needs and desires, completed work on schedule. California Smartscape did a full demo/re-design/re-landscape of our back and two side yards. Work included new pavers, low-water plants, drip irrigation system, trees, artificial turf, and yard lighting. We're completely happy with the design, the work, and the process - they didn't disturb the neighbors and left everything looking nice.

Description Of Work: Demoed two decks Installed 2 Trex decks Installed Trex planter Installed tile on front stoop Installed DG on side and pathway to second gate Extended roof drains away from the house Comments: From start to finish working with the team at California Smartscape was exceptional. Jesse provided an initial design and estimate for the side deck. We suggested changes and he followed up with a firm quote for both decks that was in our budget. Jesse & his brother Andrew suggested going with aluminum instead of using Trex posts on the back deck and it really gave us the look we wanted. We also went with DG on the side and in the front to the 2nd gate and had the front stoop tiled. Drew was project foreman and his ideas of adding a planter and having open steps really added to the design. Bridget came out early to introduce the company and made us feel welcome. Everyone on the job site was friendly & courteous and did quality work. I would certainly urge any of you reading this to give California Smartscape a look.

We hired California Smartscape to do a complete backyard make-over including landscaping, block walls, concrete etc. We met with the designer and his team to discuss our needs. They drew up the plans and we once again met with them to show us what our yard would look like. We approved the plans and work began on the date we set. The crew was very knowledgeable; they had a great attitude and worked well together. I am a very hands on person and any question I had was immediately addressed. We absolutely love our backyard, our friends refer to it as our "resort". Thank you California Smartscape!

After years of research, my husband and I contracted with Jesse and California Smartscape for an extensive yard renovation. Jesse listened to our thoughts and desires regarding our back yard and provided us with beautiful plans. Our dilapidated deck was torn down and replaced with a larger, Trex deck with a built in grill. Our aged patio was torn up and replaced with beautiful concrete tiles and a fantastic sunken fireplace and seating. Our new landscape featured less lawn and mostly drought-tolerant plants which we discussed and chose together. We had a very good experience with Jesse, appreciated his professionalism and highly recommend this company.

We used these guys for a 'from scratch' design of our front and back yards. It was a challenging design, since we wanted a radical change from what was currently there, yet had a limited budget. They really listened to our likes & dislikes, took our vision and added to it, made great suggestions, and even broke it out into phases to meet our budget needs. We've engaged them to do the first phase of the work, and have great confidence it's going to look amazing!