Residential Landscaping in Millbrae, CA

Transform Your Millbrae Property Into an Outdoor Masterpiece

50+ years of Bay Area expertise meets cutting-edge 3D design technology for stunning, drought-tolerant landscapes that enhance your property value.

Millbrae Landscape Design Services

Your Property Value Increases by Thousands

Professional residential landscaping in Millbrae, CA can add up to $10,000 or more to your home’s listing price. You get outdoor spaces designed specifically for our Mediterranean climate—pergolas for year-round entertaining, drought-tolerant gardens that slash water bills, and hardscape features that require virtually zero maintenance. Your neighbors will notice the transformation immediately. More importantly, potential buyers will too. Every design element works together to create that “wow factor” that makes properties stand out in Millbrae’s competitive real estate market. We handle the unique challenges of Peninsula living—from sloped lots that need expert grading to coastal conditions like fog and salt spray. The result? Outdoor spaces that actually enhance your daily life while building long-term equity in your home.

Millbrae Residential Landscaping Experts

Five Decades of Peninsula Landscaping Mastery

Since 1975, we’ve been transforming Millbrae properties with the kind of expertise you can only get from true local specialists. We understand what works in our coastal climate, from the sandy soils near the Bay to the hillside challenges throughout the Peninsula. Our clients include Silicon Valley executives from Apple, Yahoo, and the San Francisco 49ers—people who demand excellence and have the resources to get it. Over 5,000 completed projects have taught us exactly how to maximize both beauty and functionality on Millbrae’s distinctive lots. We know the local permitting requirements, the microclimates that affect plant selection, and the architectural styles that define our community. When you work with us, you’re getting five decades of Peninsula-specific knowledge that simply can’t be replicated by contractors from outside the area.

Residential Landscaping Process Millbrae

From 3D Vision to Finished Reality

Everything starts with an on-site survey where we capture your property’s exact dimensions, elevations, and unique characteristics. This isn’t a quick walkthrough—we’re documenting drainage patterns, sun exposure, soil conditions, and views that most contractors miss entirely. Next comes our 3D design process. You’ll see exactly what your finished landscape will look like through detailed renderings and animated videos. No guesswork, no surprises. We refine the design until it perfectly matches your vision and budget. Once you approve the design, we coordinate with our vetted contractors who’ve been installing our projects for years. Daily updates keep you informed, and our project management ensures everything stays on schedule. Most installations finish ahead of the estimated completion date because we plan thoroughly upfront.

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About Lakota Design Group

Millbrae Landscape Construction Services

Complete Outdoor Transformations Built to Last

Your residential landscaping in Millbrae, CA includes everything needed for a complete transformation. Hardscape installation creates patios, walkways, and retaining walls that handle our hillside terrain. Drought-tolerant plant selection reduces water usage by up to 50% while maintaining the refined aesthetic Millbrae homeowners expect. We specialize in outdoor living spaces that work year-round—fire pits for cool Peninsula evenings, built-in seating for entertaining, and pergolas that provide just enough shelter from coastal winds. Every element is chosen specifically for our local conditions. Millbrae’s sloping lots require special expertise in grading, drainage, and erosion control. We turn these challenges into opportunities, creating terraced gardens and multi-level patios that capture those prized views of the Bay. The result is outdoor space that feels larger and more functional than you thought possible on your lot.

How much does residential landscaping cost in Millbrae, CA?

Residential landscaping projects in Millbrae typically range from $15,000 to $150,000+ depending on scope and materials. A basic front yard renovation with drought-tolerant plants and simple hardscape runs $15,000-$35,000. Complete backyard transformations with outdoor kitchens, fire features, and extensive hardscape average $75,000-$150,000. The investment makes sense when you consider property values in Millbrae. Professional landscaping can add $10,000 or more to your home’s value while dramatically improving your quality of life. We work with budgets from $5,000 to over $4 million, so there’s flexibility to create something beautiful regardless of your investment level. Our design process ensures you know exactly what everything costs before installation begins. No surprises, no change orders, no budget creep that plagues so many landscaping projects.

What plants work best for Millbrae's coastal climate?

Millbrae’s Mediterranean climate with coastal influence requires plants that handle fog, salt spray, sandy soil, and periodic drought. California natives like lavender, rosemary, and ornamental grasses thrive here while requiring minimal water and maintenance. For year-round color, we often use drought-tolerant options like New Zealand flax, Mediterranean spurge, and various succulent varieties. These plants actually look better with our climate’s natural wet and dry cycles rather than fighting against them. The key is understanding microclimates on your specific property. Areas closer to the Bay need more salt-tolerant species, while hillside locations might require plants that handle stronger winds. We select plants based on your exact conditions, not generic recommendations that work somewhere else in the Bay Area.

How long does a residential landscaping project take in Millbrae?

Most residential landscaping projects in Millbrae take 2-6 weeks from start to finish, depending on complexity and size. Simple front yard renovations often complete in 1-2 weeks. Extensive backyard transformations with major hardscape work typically require 4-6 weeks. Weather rarely delays projects here thanks to our Mediterranean climate, but permitting can add time upfront. Millbrae requires landscaping plans for most residential projects, which we handle as part of our design process. Having proper permits prevents delays and ensures code compliance. We provide guaranteed start and completion dates—something rare in our industry. Our project management approach and relationships with reliable contractors mean we finish most projects ahead of schedule rather than dealing with the endless delays that frustrate so many homeowners.

Do you handle Millbrae's steep lots and drainage issues?

Absolutely. Millbrae’s hillside terrain and sloping lots are actually our specialty. We’ve solved drainage problems, built retaining walls, and created terraced gardens on some of the most challenging properties in the Peninsula. Proper grading and drainage are critical here, especially with our wet winters. We install French drains, permeable hardscape materials, and strategic grading that directs water away from your home while preventing erosion. Many properties need retaining walls to create usable flat space—we design these as attractive landscape features rather than purely functional barriers. The elevation changes that challenge other contractors become opportunities in our hands. We create multi-level outdoor rooms that take advantage of views while providing intimate spaces for different activities. Your sloped lot becomes an asset rather than a limitation.

What makes your 3D design process different from other landscapers?

Our 3D design process lets you see exactly what your finished landscape will look like before installation begins. We create detailed renderings from multiple angles, plus animated videos with soundtracks and special effects that you can share with family and friends. Most landscapers show you basic sketches or generic photos. We provide comprehensive CAD installation plans with dimensions, elevations, plant specifications, and material lists. These detailed plans ensure contractors bid accurately and build exactly what you approved. The design process includes three free revisions, so we refine everything until it perfectly matches your vision. If you choose one of our vetted contractors for installation, your design cost is completely refunded since they pay us for the plans. You get professional design services at no additional cost when you move forward with construction.

Are you licensed and insured for landscaping work in Millbrae?

Yes, we maintain all required licenses and comprehensive insurance coverage for landscape design and construction work throughout Millbrae and the Peninsula. Our contractors are also fully licensed, bonded, and insured with workers’ compensation coverage. We handle all permit applications required by the City of Millbrae, including front yard landscaping plans that must comply with Municipal Code 10.05.0620. Having proper permits protects you from potential code violations and ensures your project meets all local requirements. Our insurance coverage includes general liability and professional indemnity protection. You’re completely protected throughout the design and construction process. We provide certificates of insurance upon request and maintain coverage levels that exceed industry standards for projects of all sizes.

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Millbrae, CA is located in San Mateo County in California State

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