For buyers of new-construction homes
New Construction Homeowners
Full-yard landscape packages for Prunedale, Castroville, Marina, and Salinas new builds.
Moving into a new construction home is exciting until you walk into the back yard and it's a flat, compacted dirt lot with a single hose bib and some construction debris. Builders hand over the house finished; the yard is usually your problem. Most new-build owners we meet have underestimated how much yard work is actually ahead of them — not in weekends of DIY, but in the size of the decision and the dollars. A typical Monterey County new-construction lot needs grading adjustment, drainage, irrigation, planting, often a patio or deck, maybe turf, fencing coordination, and a plan for how the whole thing fits together. We work with new-construction homeowners across Prunedale, Castroville, Marina, Salinas, and neighboring communities on exactly this problem. Our approach is to treat the new-build yard as a one-time opportunity to do it right — so ten years from now, you're not undoing shortcuts a cheaper vendor took in year one. This page walks through how we approach new-build landscape.
Who this is for
This page is for homeowners who have recently closed on a new-construction home or are in escrow on one, in Prunedale, Castroville, Marina, Salinas, Seaside, Hollister, Watsonville, and other Monterey Bay-area new developments. It also applies to custom-build owners whose general contractor did not include landscape in the original scope.
What usually goes wrong
The problems we keep seeing
Patterns we run into on almost every new account in this category — and how we think about solving them from day one.
Compacted subgrade that looks fine and drains badly
New-build lots have been driven on by heavy equipment for months. The dirt looks flat and dry, but underneath it's compacted to the point that nothing roots and water sits on top instead of percolating. Most first-year landscape failures on new builds trace back to this. Our installs start with decompaction, amendment, and grading correction — unglamorous work that decides whether anything we plant actually survives.
Drainage the builder didn't solve
Builders meet code for drainage off the foundation, but 'code' and 'works for your back yard' are different standards. New-build lots often send water to places you don't want it — against fences, across pathways, pooling in the lowest corner. We identify the drainage reality on the first walk-through and design the landscape to route water intelligently, not fight it after the fact.
No irrigation — or irrigation on a hose-bib timer
Some builders rough-in a sprinkler main, some don't. Either way you're starting close to zero on an actual working irrigation system. We design irrigation as a first-class part of the landscape — zoned, smart-controlled, drip-dominant, and sized for the plant palette you're going to live with long-term. Doing this right at install is drastically cheaper than retrofitting two years in.
Front yard HOA requirements on a clock
Many new developments require completed front-yard landscape within a set window — often 6 or 12 months after close — or fines start. You need a plan that hits HOA requirements in time without scope creep that puts the back yard on permanent hold. We sequence projects to satisfy the HOA deadline first, then build out the back yard at your pace.
The overwhelming 'where do I even start' problem
A blank lot is paralyzing. Every decision affects every other decision, and homeowners often make piecemeal choices (a quick sod, a builder's-grade patio) that they end up regretting. Our first visit is specifically about unblocking that — we walk the lot with you, map priorities against your budget, and give you a sequenced plan that isn't overwhelming.
How we approach it
What working with us actually looks like
Master plan before a single shovel
On new builds, we strongly recommend producing a master plan of the full yard before any installation work begins — even if execution will be phased. The master plan includes grading and drainage strategy, irrigation layout, hardscape bones (patio, paths, retaining), planting palette, turf or lawn areas if any, and the phase sequence. Investing a few weeks and a few thousand dollars in the plan saves far more over the subsequent years of phased execution.
Phase 1 hits the HOA deadline without compromising the long game
For HOA-deadline-driven front yards, Phase 1 is a specific scope — grading, drainage, irrigation, front yard planting and turf or turf alternative — that satisfies the CC&Rs and photographs well for the community's standards. We specifically avoid scope in Phase 1 that will need to be undone or fought when the rest of the yard comes together. What you install in Phase 1 is what still belongs in the yard five years in.
Phase 2+ builds the yard you actually want to live in
Back yards, side yards, and the higher-detail elements (outdoor kitchen, fire feature, planting refinement, lighting) roll out in subsequent phases on your timeline. Many new-build owners spread this over 18–36 months. Our master plan is structured so each phase is self-contained — the yard always looks resolved, never half-done — while the full plan eventually comes together.
Services that fit this profile
The work we typically do for new construction homeowners
New-construction landscape typically engages every one of our service lines over time. Design produces the master plan. Site preparation — decompaction, grading correction, drainage installation — is the invisible first phase that decides whether everything else works. Softscape installs the planted bones. Turf (natural or artificial) handles lawn areas. Hardscape builds patios, walks, retaining, and any structural outdoor living. Lighting, if desired, is run with irrigation to minimize trenching. Ongoing maintenance starts once the yard is in and establishes the landscape through its first 12–18 months — the period where most new installs fail or succeed. One crew, one plan, one point of contact across all of it.
Landscape Design
$500–$5,000+ design fees
Bring your vision to life with our professional landscape design services. From initial concept to detailed plans, we create custom designs that blend beauty, functionality, and sustainability for both residential and commercial properties.
Typical scope
- Residential Landscape Design
- Commercial Landscape Design
- Concept & Master Planning
- 2D / 3D Landscape Renderings
Softscape
$4–$12 per sq ft installed
Transform your landscape with our expert softscape design and installation services. From native drought-tolerant plants to lush flower beds, we create beautiful, sustainable plantings that thrive in California's climate.
Typical scope
- Plant Selection & Layout
- Tree Installation
- Shrub & Bush Planting
- Flower Bed Design
Artificial Turf Installation
$8–$15 per sq ft installed
Say goodbye to watering, mowing, and brown patches. Our professional artificial turf installation gives you a lush, green lawn year-round with minimal maintenance. Perfect for California's climate, our turf solutions are water-saving, pet-friendly, and designed to last.
Typical scope
- Residential Artificial Turf Installation
- Commercial Artificial Turf Installation
- Backyard Turf Installation
- Playground Turf Installation
Hardscaping
$15–$35 per sq ft installed
Enhance your outdoor living space with our professional hardscaping services. From elegant paver patios to functional retaining walls, we create durable, beautiful hardscape features that add value to your property.
Typical scope
- Paver Patios
- Walkways & Pathways
- Retaining Walls
- Concrete Installation
Lawn Maintenance
$45–$75 per visit (residential)
Keep your property looking its best with our comprehensive lawn maintenance services. We handle everything from regular mowing to irrigation repair, so you can enjoy your outdoor space without the work.
Typical scope
- Scheduled Lawn Mowing (Weekly / Bi-Weekly)
- Edging & Trimming
- Pruning & Hedge Trimming
- Weed Control
Local context
Why neighborhood matters for this kind of work
New-construction subdivisions across Monterey County have different quirks. Prunedale's rolling terrain means many lots have slope and drainage implications the builder didn't fully solve. Castroville's agricultural-edge soils are often heavy clay with compaction issues. Marina's sandy coastal soils drain fast but require different planting strategies — and the coastal wind is a real factor on open lots. Salinas new builds tend to be on flatter lots with clay-heavy valley soils. Hollister developments often have dramatic lot-to-lot variation in soil and slope. Watsonville's Monterey Bay coastal zone has its own fog and salt considerations. We adapt grading, drainage, irrigation, and plant palette to the specific development — including working with developer-imposed restrictions on front-yard scope where they exist.
Prunedale
Rural-residential, larger lots, rolling terrain.
Castroville
Agricultural edge community, moderate climate.
Marina
Sandy coastal soil, newer residential developments.
Salinas
Salinas Valley hub — warm summers, clay-heavy soils, MPWMD water rules.
Seaside
Mix of residential and commercial, former Fort Ord redevelopment.
Hollister
Neighboring San Benito County, growing residential market.
Watsonville
Monterey Bay coastal, agricultural-adjacent.
Our process
How a project actually moves
- 1
Close-to-close timing call
If you're in escrow, we'll talk early — so Phase 1 can start as soon as you have the keys, before HOA clocks get tight.
- 2
On-site design meeting
We walk the lot together, review HOA requirements and your priorities, and discuss budget in realistic bands.
- 3
Master plan delivery
Over 3–5 weeks you receive a written master plan with palette boards, drawings, and phase sequencing.
- 4
Phase 1 installation
Phase 1 — typically the front yard and any HOA-deadline scope — installs over 2–4 weeks.
- 5
Establishment period
For 12–18 months after Phase 1 install, we visit monthly to tune irrigation, adjust plantings, and catch early issues.
- 6
Subsequent phases on your timeline
Phase 2 and beyond roll out on your schedule. You call when you're ready. The master plan stays live so later work integrates cleanly.
Case study
Marina new build — HOA-deadline front yard plus master-planned back
Marina, CA
Challenge
A couple closed on a Marina new-build home in March with a 12-month HOA deadline for completed front-yard landscape. The back yard was a dirt lot with a stub-out sprinkler main. They wanted to meet the HOA deadline without rushing a back-yard plan, and they had a target total budget of around $45,000 spread across 18 months.
Solution
We produced a master plan covering front and back in April and May. Phase 1 (front yard) installed in June — drought-tolerant palette, small lawn panel, new drip irrigation, and a front entry feature aligned with the home's architecture. HOA signed off in July. Phase 2 (back yard patio, fire feature, rear planting) installed the following spring. Phase 3 (lighting, finishing touches) came at the end of year two.
Outcome
HOA deadline met without fines. Total spend across the three phases came in at $43,200. The couple's landscape photographs as a coherent whole despite being built over 18 months. They're now on a biweekly maintenance cycle with us.
Common questions
What new construction homeowners usually ask us first
When should we start talking to a landscaper — before we close?
Yes, earlier the better. Ideally you call us during the final weeks of escrow so we can do a first walk-through right after close. Starting before you've moved in is common; the master plan process can run in parallel with the chaos of moving, and Phase 1 installation can start within 60 days of close in most cases.
What if the builder did some landscape work — are you going to tear it all out?
Not reflexively. We audit what's there and preserve what's worth preserving. Builder-grade sod is often acceptable as a starting point in the right areas; builder-grade planting is often dated and can be replaced incrementally. Hardscape installed by the builder is evaluated for drainage, base prep, and aesthetic fit. We'll tell you honestly what to keep, what to remove, and what to enhance.
How do we budget when we don't know what we want yet?
The first walk-through gives you realistic bands. A typical Monterey County new-build front yard runs $15,000–$35,000 depending on size and palette. Back yards run from $20,000 for a basic setup to $150,000+ for full outdoor living. You don't need to know what you want before we meet — that's what the design phase is for.
Will you work with the HOA for approvals?
Yes. For HOA-reviewed front-yard work we handle the submittals and any required hearings. We know the common patterns for newer Monterey County developments and can usually get approvals on the first submittal.
How long does the whole project take end to end?
It varies by scope and phasing. A phased project over 18–36 months is common — Phase 1 installed in the first year to meet HOA deadlines, subsequent phases rolling out on your timeline. If you want everything done at once, that's typically a 4–8 month project from master plan kickoff to final install.
Will you do the maintenance after everything is in?
Yes, and we recommend it. The first 12–18 months of a new install are the establishment period where most failures happen. Having the install team on the maintenance side means problems get caught and fixed before they compound. Many of our new-build clients stay on weekly or biweekly maintenance indefinitely.
What every engagement with us includes
The standards we hold to regardless of project size
Whether you're engaging us for a single front-yard refresh or a multi-year landscape program across a portfolio of properties, the baseline operating standards are the same. These are the details that decide whether a landscape vendor is worth staying with after year one.
Licensed, bonded, and fully insured
California C-27 landscape contractor license, full general liability and workers compensation, commercial auto coverage, and additional-insured endorsements on request. Certificates of insurance are provided before any crew is on the property. This level of coverage is standard on every engagement — not an upsell.
Named point of contact, not a dispatch line
Every account has a named project lead or account manager who stays with you across the relationship. You are not routed through a call center, and you are not re-explaining your property to a different person every time you reach out. Institutional memory accumulates in the property file, not in any one employee's head.
Written scope with explicit inclusions and exclusions
Our proposals list what's in scope, what's out of scope, what triggers a change order, and what doesn't. Ambiguity in a landscape contract is where margin disappears and trust erodes. Clarity up front is how we keep the relationship clean over years.
Route density across Monterey County
We run structured routes across Salinas, the Monterey Peninsula, the coastal corridor from Seaside through Watsonville, and the southern Salinas Valley. Route density means pricing stays competitive on maintenance work and response times on service calls are fast — our trucks are already nearby.
Photo-documented milestones
On install projects we photograph conditions before work begins, key milestones during execution, and the finished result. For maintenance accounts, monthly reports include photos of flagged items. Documentation protects both sides and gives you a clean record if the property changes hands or you need to justify spend to ownership.
Warranty that stays warrantable
Plant material and workmanship warranties are meaningful because we're still going to be around to honor them. Family-run since 2009, we don't rebrand and disappear. Warranty claims get responded to the same week they're flagged, and legitimate issues get fixed without argument.
Credentials
What we bring to the table
- California C-27 Landscape Contractor license, in good standing
- Family-run and locally owned — operating continuously since 2009
- Full general liability, workers compensation, and commercial auto insurance
- Additional-insured endorsements available on request
- Google, Yelp, and Nextdoor review history built over a decade
- In-house crews — no subcontractor rotation on routine work
Where we work
Service area
We serve residential, commercial, HOA, and multifamily accounts across Monterey County, with active route coverage in Salinas, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Seaside, Marina, Prunedale, Castroville, Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, King City, and into Hollister (San Benito County) and Watsonville (Santa Cruz County).
If your property is outside these routes but nearby, reach out anyway — we flex coverage for the right project. For properties farther afield, we're happy to refer you to a Central Coast contractor we trust.
Next step
Ready to talk specifics?
If you're in escrow on a new-construction home, recently closed, or staring at an HOA deadline on the front yard, the first call costs nothing and the walk-through is free. Most of our new-build clients tell us the hardest part was getting past the overwhelm of a blank lot. A written master plan turns it into something you can actually execute, in the right sequence, at a pace your budget and calendar support. That's the version of the next 18 months we'd like to help you build.
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