A contract for professional landscaping services in Santa Cruz County should always include the following:

• The busienss name, address, landscaping contractor’s state license number and telephone number
• The registration number of any employee involved on the project
• A detailed description of the work to be completed and materials list (including quantity and type of plants and irrigation equipment)
• Any warrantees or guarantees (including verbal contracts) on work and equipment
• Approximate start and end date
• A statement holding the contractor to clean up and removal of all job-related detritus after the completion of the project
• A statement explaining any building permits needed or codes to be followed and the ways to protect yourself and your property
• A statement that the contractor will uphold his/her bond, if one exists

California law states that home improvement projects over $500 must be agreed-upon in writing. It is still in your best interest, even if your landscaping project is under that amount, that you request a written contract.

After signing the contract, changes that you and/or the contractor make in the work or materials to be use must be added in writing. The change order must also include any increases or reductions in the total job price.

If you have carefully planned the job and selected a licensed Santa Cruz County landscape contractor, the job should progress without any major problems.

Once you are satisfied with the landscaping services, ask the landscaper you’ve hired to walk you though the completed landscaping services. At this time, check the work against the invoice or estimate your were given, and make sure it lives up to what was promised.

You can do everything in your power to be a well-educated and honest client in your relationship with a Santa Cruz landscaping service. However, you'll also want to be aware of how you can protect yourself should the company not provide the services you expected.

Always ask for a warranty on any landscaping service provided. Some Santa Cruz area landscaping companies may try to say that they cannot provide a warranty because the products and spaces they work with are ever-changing and subject to outside interference.

However, a good landscape service will stand behind their work. These warranties will vary greatly depending on the services received, and plants and materials used.

So requesting a warranty before hiring a landscaping company is a good idea if having a warranty is important to you.

Any warranty or guarantee you receive should be in writing and should include the following:

• The landscaping company’s name, license number, physical address and contact information.
• Details about what services, materials and/or plants are included in the warranty.
• A description of your obligation and duties when filing a warranty claim.
• A description of how the landscaper will make right on the warranty: this may include redoing the work, offering replacement plants, giving a reduced fee for replacement or repair work, or a full refund. Make sure you understand these terms and whether they are prorated or expire on a specific date.
• All exclusions should be in writing.

It is difficult to narrow down what clients of Santa Cruz County landscape contractors generally want when they hire a landscaping firm to help with their outdoor transformation because landscaping ideas can be as varied as the number of people who own homes and want to beautify their outdoor spaces.

However, the following elements of landscaping design are some of the most commonly requested features for outdoor installation.

Talk with your Santa Cruz County landscape contractor, including those in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Capitola, to see what they are willing and/or able to accomplish in your outdoor space.

Yard Terracing
Helpful with erosion control and drainage issues, terracing can be a lovely way to address difficulties with your outdoor space. Your Santa Cruz County landscape contractor can provide many options for accomplishing this look while incorporating your other design wants and needs.

Flower Gardens and/or Plant Gardens in Santa Cruz County
Most commonly thought of as landscaping, flowers and plants are just one of the many ways landscape contractors improve the beauty and value of your home. Their expertise can help you choose the right flowers and plants to flourish in your yard.

Outdoor Lighting
Not often associated with the landscape, outdoor lighting is actually an integral part of providing beauty and safety to your outdoor space. Landscape contractors will either be trained to do this part themselves or hire a subcontractor who specializes in lighting to accomplish your design.

Stone Walkways
The more natural choice for walkways in your outdoor space, stone can enhance the look of your yard without adding a lot of man-made material. Stone walkways also help showcase any spaces that have been landscaped without a lot of traffic to ruin planted areas.

Patios
Your Santa Cruz County landscape contractor can help you decide on the material best suited to your outdoor space for installing a patio. Adding a patio can enhance not only the beauty of your yard, but also the usability.

Fountains
Water features are a fantastic way to bring interest and depth to your landscape. Fountains help contain the water to a smaller, more manageable space and you can work with your Santa Cruz County landscape contractor to find one that fits your style and budget.

Koi Ponds
Fish add an instant sense of true nature to your outdoor space not accomplished by any other feature. Koi ponds are popular for those homeowners who are willing to keep up the effort it takes to maintain them. Discuss maintenance with your Santa Cruz County landscape contractor, as it can be extensive.

Natural Streams and Waterfalls
Another water feature with a little more natural credibility than a fountain, the stream and/or waterfall can immediately transform an outdoor space into a magical oasis. This feature also changes the types of plants that can be introduced into your yard, as it adds natural irrigation and watering capabilities.

Brick Paver Walkways
Similar to a stone walkway, the brick paver walkway enables you to direct outdoor traffic in your landscaped space and keep trampling to a minimum. Brick pavers are much more uniform and suited to a design that incorporates more rigid lines between naturally occurring landscapes and man-made features.

Outdoor Kitchens, Barbeques and Fire Pits
Like adding another room to your house, the outdoor kitchen and fire pit truly adds measurable value to your property. While this can be a costly element to landscaping, your contractor can work with you to find an outdoor kitchen and/or fire pit that scales to meet your needs

Landscape contracting and the landscaping business in general have a specific language that may sometimes feel like a code that needs cracking.

The following list of terms and definitions should help you navigate your way when hiring and working with your Santa Cruz County landscape contractor.

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
A professional society that represents landscape architects betters their practice and understanding through education, research, state registration, etc.

base plan
A plan showing site boundaries and features, used as a basis for further development.

building codes
Regulations that specify the type of methods and materials allowed on a project.

building permit
An authorization dispensed by a government agency which permits construction of a project according to agreed-upon specifications.

built environment
A man-made creation or alterations to an outdoor space, including its natural resources.

contour
The form of the land. Contour lines are map lines which are used to show and measure slope and drainage.

conservation
The safeguard, improvement and use of natural resources according to principles that will guarantee economic or social benefits for our environment now and in the future.

conservation plan
A plan for protecting natural or manufactured resources. Used as a tool in making decisions regarding soil, water, vegetation, manufactured objects and other resources.

design
The creative illustration, planning and specification of outdoor space for utility, value and beauty.

drainage
Where water escapes from a land surface or subsurface, through sewers or natural means.

easement
The legal grant to use an area of designated property.

grade
How the land slopes. Grading is the process of changing the degree of the slope in order to promote drainage and landscape design.

hardscape
Things that are added to a landscape, such as paving stones, gravel, walkways, irrigation systems, roads, retaining walls, sculpture, street amenities, fountains, etc.

International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)
A multinational organization of landscapers whose purpose is the advancement of landscape design.

landscape
The amount of land that can be seen at a glance.

landscape architect
A professional who designs outdoor spaces from whole ecosystems to residential sites

Also known as: designer, planner, consultant

landscape architecture
The science and art of design of the land involving natural and built elements and concern for resource conservation to improve outdoor spaces. Effective landscape architecture makes the most of the land, adds value to a project and minimizes costs, all while minimizing negative effects to nature.

landscape contractor
A trained installer of residential or commercial landscapes who implements the plans of landscape architects or works with homeowners to install customized landscaping to their yards.

manipulation of space
The organization of land for aesthetic or functional design. Refers to the building of small backyard patios to huge urban plazas.

master plan
An initial plan showing proposed development. Master plans show phases of work needing to be completed and are therefore subject to changes over time.

natural resources
Elements naturally occurring in an area that can be used to fulfill human needs, including air, soil, water, native vegetation, etc.

site plan
A drawing including dimensions that indicates the form and physical objects existing in an outdoor space and those still to be built.

softscape
The naturally occurring elements landscape architects work with, such as plant materials.

Q: Why choose a Diamond Certified landscape contractor?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a landscape contractor in Santa Cruz County with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only landscape contractors rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified landscape contractor.

Q: What services can a local landscape contractor provide?
A: A good landscape contractor will be able to hear your vision and provide insight on what can work with your space. They will start by crafting a plan that fits your specific needs and vision. Your contractor will manage the people, materials and equipment needed to produce the transformation to your outdoor space. They are also in charge of any building permits and your safety during the project’s completion. A really good landscape contractor will give you a final product that maintains itself as much as possible and performs as good as it looks.

Q: How can I make sure I am hiring the best possible landscape contractor?
A: Seeking out a Diamond Certified landscape contractor is always the best place to begin. Beyond that you should ask around to see if any family, friends, neighbors or co-workers have hired contractors that they would recommend. It is essential to hire a contractor who is familiar with the type of project you are looking to complete. Pay attention to the services and experience of every company you interview.

Q: What is the best indicator that I have hired the right landscape contractor?
A: Research indicates that the number one way people can tell they will be satisfied with the final results of their landscaping project is whether or not they were able to communicate effectively with the landscape contractor from the beginning of their professional relationship. Your contractor should make you feel comfortable to bring up any questions or concerns that arise along the way. In addition, you should be confident that your landscape contractor understands from the outset what you believe your transformation should look like. Ask many clarifying questions as you work on a plan together to make sure that you are on the same wavelength as your contractor.

Q: How much expense will hiring a landscape contractor add to my project?
A: You will pay for the expertise of a landscape contractor, but hiring the right one can in fact save you a lot of money. The expertise you pay for will let you know exactly what features your outdoor space is suited for and what can be installed with ease and less expense. You won’t waste nearly as much money and they can also help you seriously reduce maintenance costs following the installation of a well-planned landscape. In addition, because of the man and machine power at their disposal, they can complete projects in much less time than it would take you to do the same thing.

Q: How do landscape contractors charge?
A: Landscape contractors can charge based on time it takes to complete a project, an agreed-upon project fee, a percentage of the cost of the total work done or by the square foot area of the project. You should be clear on how a contractor charges before you enter into a professional relationship with them, ask for a detailed estimate and always work under a specified contract.

Q: What is my role in the process of landscaping my space?
A: You will need to clearly share your design wants, decide on a workable budget and provide insight into how the design will affect the livability and enjoyment of your space. A trustworthy contractor will continue to communicate with you throughout the process and be available to lend advice and design suggestions. You need to feel like a partner in the process and informed along the way..