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Q. Why do I need your services?

Backyard design and installation is quite an undertaking. Do you have the time and knowledge to design your vision and forsee installation problems that can drive up the cost of construction? Our services pay for themselves when you take into account construction costs arising from poorly planned installations.

Do you really want to trust your money to someone who will only verbally explain their intent?

Do you have the time to meet with several landscape contractors to acquire a bid? Wouldn't it be easier to hand them a plan for them to bid from without having to discuss every detail again and again?

Furthermore, construction is made difficult by restrictions imposed by HOAs (Homeowner Associations), city/county Building and Safety rules and construction/engineering requirements/limitations. We can help educate you and prepare a plan that fits within local requirments.

Q. Why should I pay you for design when another contractor will do it for free?

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Your contractor's time will be included in his bid, and they will not give you the plan freely if you refuse their installation services.

Q. Why choose you over a landscape architect, contractor or another landscape designer?

We have the highest respect for those who operate in our field, but we have found the following the norm rather than the exception.

While landscape architects are knowledgeable about plot plans and plant choices many do not have hands-on construction experience nor understanding of construction and material costs. Landscape architects do have considerable schooling thus most are found in the commercial sectors where they can receive higher wages.

Many contractors work from plans supplied by someone else, either a landscape architect or landscape designer. Few contractors have in-house designers or have the skills to develop creative plans themselves. Many times you will only get a verbal description of what they plan or a quick list of the materials they will put in your yard. Rarely will you find a contractor that will formally draft a project plan until a contract is signed and money has changed hands. However, contractors have working knowledge and understanding of the time it takes to build and can give you material cost projections.

Landscape designers are more of the creative end of construction and bring to the table a "thinking out side the box" mentality. There is no licensing needed to call oneself a landscape designer, thus you should ask any designer about their work history. All designers focus on producing the plot plan. Some have acquired knowledge similar in scope to that of a landscape architect with a focus on residential instead of commercial applications.

We firmly believe you should not start any project without a clear plan to work from that is realistic in scope and within budget. Your plan should be budgeted correctly so that no surprise fees are requested. Your plan should also meet your aesthetic desires. New Yard Concept has the working knowledge to make your backyard a work of art.

Q. What areas do you cover?

We operate in San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Ventura County, and the Antelope Valley where we are based. If you are uncertain we cover your area please do not hesitate to call.

Q. Can you guarantee association review committee approval on first submission?>

Due to our experience with plan submission we have a growing knowledge of HOA requirements, however no two development's CC&Rs (requirements) are the same. In addition, not all requirements/limitations are provided in your CC&Rs and they have the right to make judgment calls that we can not always foresee. We cannot guarantee successful review committee approval.

Q. Who pays for HOA review committee plan submission? What about plan re-submittal fees?

In all cases the homeowner is responsible for submission fees.