Landscape Contractor in Freedom, CA

Your Yard Deserves Better Than Average

Transform your Freedom property with a landscape contractor who actually understands California’s unique challenges and your vision.

Licensed Landscaper Freedom CA

What Your Finished Project Actually Looks Like

You walk outside to a space that makes you proud. Your neighbors stop to ask who did the work. Your water bill drops while your property value climbs. This isn’t about perfect grass that drinks your wallet dry. It’s about creating outdoor spaces that work with California’s climate, not against it. Drought-tolerant doesn’t mean dull—it means smart design that stays beautiful through dry summers and wet winters. Your landscape becomes the backdrop for family gatherings, quiet morning coffee, and evening relaxation. Every element serves a purpose, looks intentional, and requires less maintenance than what you had before.

Landscape Company Freedom CA

Nearly Five Decades in the Bay Area

Lakota Design Group has been designing and building landscapes in Freedom and throughout the Bay Area since 1975. That’s nearly 50 years of understanding what works in our climate and what doesn’t. We’ve completed over 5,000 projects, from modest front yard refreshes to million-dollar estate transformations. Our clients include executives from Apple, Yahoo, and the San Francisco 49ers—people who expect excellence and have options. What sets us apart isn’t just experience. It’s our approach: listen first, design with 3D technology so you see exactly what you’re getting, then manage every detail of installation. No surprises, no excuses, no wondering what’s happening with your project.

Outdoor Landscaping Company Freedom CA

The Process That Actually Works

First, we come to your property for an in-person consultation. Not a quick look-around, but a real conversation about how you use your space, what frustrates you about your current landscape, and what you’re hoping to achieve. Next comes the design phase using our 3D technology. You’ll see your new landscape before any dirt gets moved. Changes are easy at this stage—expensive changes happen when you’re already under construction. Then we handle everything: permits, materials, scheduling, and daily oversight of the installation. You get progress updates, not silence. We guarantee start and completion dates, which is almost unheard of in this industry. The contractors we work with are licensed, vetted, and have completed hundreds of projects through Lakota. If you choose one of our recommended contractors, your design cost is refunded since the contractor pays us for it.

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About Lakota Design Group

Landscape Construction Freedom CA

What's Actually Included in Your Project

Every project starts with understanding Freedom’s specific conditions. The area’s Mediterranean climate means wet winters and dry summers. Your landscape needs to handle both without constant intervention. We design with water restrictions in mind—not because we have to, but because it saves you money and future headaches. Drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, and smart material choices that look better and cost less to maintain. For Freedom homeowners, this often means incorporating native California plants that naturally thrive here, hardscaping that adds function without adding water bills, and lighting that extends your outdoor time into the evening. The goal is creating spaces that enhance your lifestyle while working with the local environment, not fighting it.

How long does a typical landscape project take in Freedom CA?

Most residential landscape projects in Freedom take 2-4 weeks from start to finish, depending on scope and complexity. Lakota provides guaranteed start and completion dates upfront—something rare in the landscaping industry. The timeline includes site preparation, installation of hardscaping elements like patios or retaining walls, planting, irrigation setup, and final cleanup. Weather can occasionally cause delays, but we build realistic schedules and communicate any changes immediately. Smaller projects like front yard refreshes might take 1-2 weeks, while comprehensive backyard transformations with multiple features could extend to 6 weeks. The key is having a detailed plan before starting, which our 3D design process ensures.

What drought-tolerant plants work best in Freedom California's climate?

Freedom’s location in Santa Cruz County offers a Mediterranean climate that’s perfect for many California native plants. Top performers include lavender, rosemary, and California lilac for color and fragrance, plus ornamental grasses that add movement without heavy water needs. Succulents like agave and various sedums provide dramatic architectural elements while requiring minimal irrigation. Native trees like coast live oak and Western redbud offer shade and seasonal interest without the water demands of non-native species. The key is grouping plants with similar water needs together—called hydrozoning—so your irrigation system can be efficient. Our designs incorporate this principle automatically, ensuring each plant gets what it needs without waste.

Do you handle permits and HOA approvals for landscape projects?

Yes, we handle all necessary permits and can assist with HOA approval processes. We know Freedom’s local requirements and have relationships with the relevant departments, which speeds up approval times. For most residential landscape projects, permits are needed for electrical work (lighting), major grading, or structural elements like retaining walls over certain heights. We determine what’s required during the design phase, so there are no surprises later. HOA approvals can be trickier since each association has different aesthetic requirements. We’ve worked with numerous HOAs throughout the Bay Area and know how to present designs that meet both your vision and community standards.

What's the cost range for professional landscape design and installation?

Landscape projects in Freedom typically range from $15,000 for front yard redesigns to $150,000+ for comprehensive backyard transformations. The wide range reflects different scopes—basic drought-tolerant plantings versus full outdoor living spaces with kitchens, fire features, and custom hardscaping. Most homeowners invest $30,000-$75,000 for substantial improvements that significantly enhance both function and property value. This usually includes new plantings, irrigation upgrades, some hardscaping, and lighting. Our design fee is refunded if you choose one of our recommended contractors for installation. This means you get professional design expertise at no additional cost when you move forward with the full project.

How much water can drought-tolerant landscaping actually save?

Well-designed drought-tolerant landscaping can reduce outdoor water use by 50-75% compared to traditional lawns. For a typical Freedom home, this often means savings of 30,000-50,000 gallons annually—significant both environmentally and financially. Traditional grass lawns require about 1.5 inches of water weekly during growing season, roughly 62 gallons per square foot annually. Drought-tolerant alternatives need as little as 10 gallons per square foot once established, with many native plants requiring no supplemental irrigation after the first year. The savings compound over time as water rates increase and restrictions tighten. Many Freedom homeowners see their landscape investment pay for itself within 5-7 years through reduced water bills alone, not counting the added property value.

What happens if I'm not satisfied with the final result?

Our process is designed to prevent satisfaction issues through detailed 3D design and constant communication. You see exactly what you’re getting before construction starts, and we provide daily updates during installation. If issues arise during construction, we address them immediately rather than waiting until project completion. Our project managers are on-site regularly to ensure quality standards and catch any problems early. The combination of detailed upfront design, vetted contractors, and active project management means satisfaction issues are rare. When they do occur, we work directly with our contractors to resolve them quickly and completely.

Local Resources

Freedom, CA is located in Santa Cruz County in California State

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