Your San Mateo property deserves more than cookie-cutter landscaping. You want outdoor spaces that actually work for your lifestyle—not another maintenance headache that eats up your weekends.
Here’s what happens when you get landscape design right. Your home becomes the one neighbors stop to admire. Your property value jumps 15-20% in San Mateo’s competitive market. You spend less time on upkeep and more time enjoying your outdoor space.
The difference comes down to understanding San Mateo’s unique conditions. From the microclimates between the Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains to soil variations across neighborhoods from Hillsdale Boulevard to Bay Meadows. When your design works with these conditions instead of fighting them, everything becomes easier.
Since 1975, we’ve been creating exceptional landscapes throughout the Bay Area. We’re not the newest company, and we’re not trying to be the cheapest. We’re the landscape design company San Mateo homeowners trust when they want it done right the first time.
Our family-operated team understands what makes San Mateo properties unique. We know the difference between designing for a Craftsman bungalow near downtown versus a contemporary home in the Highlands. We understand local water regulations and design landscapes that often qualify for rebates.
Most importantly, we’ve built our reputation on personal relationships and complete client satisfaction. Every project gets direct oversight from our experienced team, with guaranteed start and completion dates—something rare in our industry.
We start with an in-person site consultation at your San Mateo property. This isn’t a quick walkthrough. We take time to understand your vision, lifestyle needs, and how you actually use your outdoor space.
Next comes the design phase using cutting-edge 3D and CAD technology. You’ll see exactly how your completed landscape will look with our custom animated videos, complete with soundtracks and special effects. No guessing. No surprises.
Once you approve the design, our vetted and licensed contractors handle installation with daily updates and direct project management. We coordinate everything from permits to final cleanup, ensuring your project stays on schedule and on budget. Most clients are amazed when we finish ahead of our estimated completion date.
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Your landscape design and installation package includes comprehensive site analysis, custom 3D design renderings, and complete project management from concept to completion. We handle everything: permits, material sourcing, contractor coordination, and final walkthrough.
San Mateo’s diverse architectural styles require thoughtful design approaches. Whether you have a historic Craftsman near Hillsdale Boulevard or a modern property near Bay Meadows, we create cohesive designs that enhance your home’s unique character. Our designs work with local microclimates and soil conditions, not against them.
Our residential landscape designer approach emphasizes water-efficient solutions using California native plants like ceanothus, manzanita, and ornamental grasses. These reduce maintenance by 50-70% while supporting local wildlife and often qualifying for San Mateo County water rebates. Strategic hardscaping and automated irrigation ensure your landscape looks professionally maintained year-round.
Landscape design costs in San Mateo typically range from $1,500 to $7,500 for comprehensive design plans, depending on project complexity and property size. For complete design-build projects, expect 10-20% of total construction costs allocated for professional design services.
We offer scalable solutions from consultation-only services to complete design-build packages. Our transparent pricing includes phased installation options that spread costs over multiple seasons, making quality landscape design accessible within realistic budgets. Many San Mateo clients actually save money long-term by avoiding costly plant failures and irrigation problems that result from inadequate planning. Plus, professional landscape design typically increases property values by 15-20% in San Mateo’s competitive real estate market.
San Mateo’s location between San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains creates unique microclimates that favor California native plants and drought-tolerant species. We recommend plants like ceanothus, manzanita, ornamental grasses, lavender, and California poppies that thrive with minimal water while providing year-round beauty.
These native selections require 50-70% less maintenance than traditional landscaping while supporting local wildlife and biodiversity. They’re perfectly adapted to San Mateo’s soil conditions and seasonal patterns, from coastal fog influence to dry summer conditions. Our landscape architecture approach often qualifies for San Mateo County water rebates, reducing both installation costs and ongoing utility expenses. We also incorporate smart irrigation systems that adjust watering based on weather conditions and plant needs.
Most San Mateo landscape design projects take 2-4 weeks for design development and 2-8 weeks for installation, depending on scope and complexity. We provide guaranteed start and completion dates—something rare in our industry that gives you peace of mind for planning.
Our streamlined process includes initial consultation, comprehensive site analysis, 3D design development with client revisions, permit acquisition, and professionally managed installation. Unlike many contractors who overpromise and underdeliver, we consistently finish ahead of schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards. Daily project updates and direct oversight from our experienced team ensure smooth progress from initial consultation to final walkthrough and project completion.
Yes, we handle all permits and HOA approvals required for San Mateo landscape projects. With over 50 years of local experience, we understand San Mateo’s planning requirements, water conservation regulations, and neighborhood guidelines from historic areas near Hillsdale to newer developments around Bay Meadows.
Our team manages the entire approval process, including architectural review board submissions, city permits, and HOA compliance documentation. We ensure your design meets all local fire safety requirements, water conservation standards, and neighborhood aesthetic guidelines before construction begins. This comprehensive approach prevents costly delays and ensures smooth project execution. We also stay current with San Mateo County’s evolving landscape ordinances and can design projects that qualify for available water conservation rebates.
Our 50+ years of Bay Area expertise, cutting-edge 3D visualization technology, and guaranteed project timelines set us apart from other San Mateo landscape designers. We’re family-operated with a proven track record of hundreds of successful installations throughout the Peninsula, not a franchise operation or fly-by-night contractor.
Every client receives custom animated videos showing exactly how their completed landscape will look, plus direct project management from experienced professionals who’ve been doing this for decades. We use only vetted, licensed contractors and provide daily updates throughout installation. Most importantly, we consistently deliver ahead of schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards—something few landscape companies can guarantee. Our clients often tell us the project management alone was worth the investment, as they didn’t have to worry about coordinating multiple contractors or dealing with permit issues.
Absolutely. We specialize in integrating existing mature landscaping, established trees, and valuable hardscape features into new designs for San Mateo properties. Our approach maximizes your investment by preserving elements that add value while enhancing overall functionality and aesthetic appeal.
During our comprehensive site consultation, we evaluate which existing features contribute to your landscape goals and which should be updated or removed. We’re experts at working with San Mateo’s challenging site conditions, from sloped properties in the hills above Hillsdale to flat lots with drainage challenges near the Bay. Our landscape design and installation process creates cohesive outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture while incorporating mature trees and established plantings. We also understand how to work around root systems and preserve soil health during construction.
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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