You’re looking at a landscape that works. One that handles California’s water restrictions without sacrificing beauty. One that makes your neighbors curious and potential buyers take notice.
Your outdoor space becomes the retreat you actually use, not the maintenance burden you avoid. No more weekend stress about sprinkler schedules or wondering if your design violates HOA rules.
Instead, you get a thoughtfully designed landscape that thrives in Highlands’ climate, meets every local requirement, and gives you years of enjoyment without the typical headaches that come with most landscaping projects.
Lakota Design Group has been creating stunning residential landscapes in Highlands, CA and throughout the Bay Area since 1975. This isn’t a new company learning on your property.
We’ve completed over 5,000 projects and worked with some of Silicon Valley’s most discerning homeowners, including executives from Apple, Yahoo, and the San Francisco 49ers. We understand what works in Highlands’ unique climate and regulatory environment.
What sets us apart is our commitment to making your project effortless. You get cutting-edge 3D design technology so you see exactly what you’re getting, guaranteed start and completion dates, and daily project updates with direct oversight from experienced project managers.
Your project starts with an in-person consultation where we actually listen to what you want. No pushy sales tactics or cookie-cutter solutions.
Next comes the 3D design process. You’ll see exactly how your finished landscape will look, day and night, before any work begins. This eliminates costly surprises and ensures you love the final result.
Once you approve the design, we handle everything. We coordinate with our vetted contractors, manage the timeline, and provide daily updates. You don’t chase anyone down or wonder what’s happening. We guarantee start and completion dates, which is almost unheard of in this industry.
Ready to get started?
Your residential landscaping in Highlands, CA includes comprehensive design services using CAD technology and 3D visualization. You receive detailed installation plans that eliminate bidding confusion and ensure quality results.
The service covers everything from drought-resistant plant selection that thrives in Highlands’ Mediterranean climate to hardscape installation including patios, walkways, and retaining walls. Smart irrigation systems are designed to comply with Bay Area water restrictions while keeping your landscape healthy.
In Highlands, homeowners particularly value landscapes that handle the area’s dry summers and occasional winter rains. Our designs incorporate native and adapted plants that look beautiful year-round without requiring excessive water or maintenance. HOA compliance is built into every design, preventing future conflicts with homeowner associations.
The cost varies significantly based on project size, materials, and complexity. A basic front yard renovation might start around $15,000, while comprehensive backyard transformations with hardscaping and premium materials can range from $50,000 to $150,000 or more.
What matters more than the initial cost is the long-term value. Professional landscaping typically returns 100% of your investment in property value, and quality work done right the first time saves you from costly repairs and replacements down the road.
The best approach is getting a personalized estimate after discussing your specific vision, property conditions, and budget. This ensures you understand exactly what you’re getting and can make an informed decision about your investment.
Absolutely. California’s water regulations are complex and constantly evolving, but compliance is built into every design from the start. This includes selecting drought-resistant plants, installing efficient irrigation systems, and designing landscapes that look beautiful without excessive water use.
The current regulations prohibit watering during certain hours, limit runoff, and restrict watering after rainfall. Your landscape design accounts for all these requirements while still creating the beautiful outdoor space you want.
Smart irrigation systems with weather sensors and drip irrigation for plant beds ensure you’re using water efficiently. Native and adapted plants are selected specifically for their ability to thrive in Highlands’ climate with minimal supplemental watering once established.
Most residential landscaping projects in Highlands take 2-6 weeks depending on scope and complexity. A front yard renovation might be completed in 1-2 weeks, while a complete backyard transformation with hardscaping, irrigation, and extensive planting typically takes 4-6 weeks.
The timeline includes design development, which usually takes 1-2 weeks, followed by construction. Weather can affect outdoor work, but projects are scheduled with realistic buffers to account for typical conditions.
What’s unusual in this industry is getting guaranteed start and completion dates. Most contractors give vague timeframes and show up when convenient for them. We provide specific dates and stick to them, giving you the certainty to plan around your project.
Most likely, yes. Highlands has numerous planned communities with homeowner associations that require approval for landscape changes, especially those visible from the street. The good news is that we understand these requirements and design accordingly.
HOA approval typically requires submitting detailed plans showing plant selections, hardscape materials, and overall design. Some associations have specific plant lists, color restrictions, or height limitations that must be followed.
Working with us means your design meets HOA requirements from the start, preventing delays and revision requests. We know which associations are more restrictive and how to present plans for quick approval. This saves you weeks of back-and-forth with your HOA architectural committee.
A landscape designer creates comprehensive plans using professional design software and understands how all elements work together. Regular landscapers typically focus on installation and maintenance without the design expertise to create cohesive, functional outdoor spaces.
We provide 3D visualizations so you see exactly what you’re getting before construction begins. We understand drainage, irrigation, plant growth patterns, and how different materials age over time. This prevents costly mistakes and ensures your investment delivers long-term value.
Our design process also includes detailed CAD plans that contractors use for accurate bidding and installation. This eliminates the guesswork that leads to change orders and cost overruns. You get a clear roadmap from concept to completion, with professional oversight ensuring quality results.
Proper maintenance starts with smart design choices. Drought-resistant plants, efficient irrigation, and quality hardscaping reduce ongoing maintenance requirements significantly. Most well-designed landscapes in Highlands need seasonal pruning, periodic fertilizing, and irrigation system adjustments.
The key is understanding your specific plants’ needs and Highlands’ seasonal patterns. Established native plants often need little beyond occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Hardscape elements like patios and walkways require minimal maintenance beyond occasional cleaning.
Our professional installation includes detailed care instructions for your specific landscape. Many homeowners find that quality landscapes actually require less maintenance than traditional grass lawns, especially once plants are established. The initial investment in professional design and installation pays dividends in reduced long-term maintenance costs and effort.
Our Client's Reviews
Posted on Josh RubioTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Larry was absolutely fantastic to work with and his design was incredible. He was very detailed, thorough and graciously interactive with our vision, and produced a masterpiece for us. Total dream come true for our project.Posted on Sam PetersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I hired Lakota Design Group to re-do my Front and Backyard landscaping. During the design process, Larry listened to all of my requirements & incorporated them. He showed me multiple options, and really worked with me to create an amazing design. We used one of his recommended contractors to install our project and Larry managed it all. They did great work, kept our property clean, and finished ahead of their estimated completion date. We are extremely happy with the final product. I strongly recommend Lakota Design Group for your landscape design and construction needs.Posted on Randy D. ThomasTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently hired Lakota Design Group to redesign our front yard. We needed a complete removal and replacement of both our hardscape and plants. Larry did an excellent job on the design. He was very patient with us as we made revisions and provided guidance throughout the process to help us choose a design style that we loved. Larry also recommended a contractor who gave us a reasonable price compared to other bids we received. Larry managed the installation from start to finish, making it effortless on our part. Larry's team completed the installation in just eight days, and the final result is fantastic! I highly recommend Larry and Lakota Design Group for your landscaping needs.Posted on Laura FerranteTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had our front and back yard done by Larry and his team. Larry is very meticulous and detail oriented. He was very patient in taking my landscape ideas and then creating my dream landscape. We used one of his suggested contractors and are extremely happy with the outcome. We really enjoyed having Larry manage the project as we didn’t have to do a thing. Larry always kept us in the loop, supervised the progress, ensuring our satisfaction and meeting the agreed timeline. I would highly recommend Lakota Design Group for their landscape design and contracting services.Posted on Peter CoprivizaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am very happy with Larry’s design and creativity. His videos and graphics really helped the decision process. Jose and the team at Loya’s Landscaping are excellent craftsmen. They are hard workers who kept a clean worksite. I am very satisfied with the end product!
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